Canucks Daily: Young Stars Puck Drop, Viral Slapshot First Pitch

The long awaited return of the Young Stars Classic is upon us as the Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers prospects get together to face-off over a long weekend at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Game one for the young Canucks is Friday evening at 7:30 against the Calgary Flames.

VHN is coming to you from the shores of Okanagan Lake in Penticton and just up the road along the eastern shore among the wineries of Naramata. Management types on hand for the four organizations will not only be evaluating prospects, they’ll be sipping a little wine along the way and conducting business and enjoying some camaraderie on a local golf course or two.

View of town from VHN’s HQ in Penticton

Similar events are going on around North America for the various NHL clubs, but clearly none better than this beauty in BC and the five-team tourney being held on Lake Michigan in Traverse City, Michigan, hosted by the Detroit Red Wings. The two are similar in a lot of ways, including the scenic relaxation factor.

Ken Holland, who helped start the Traverse City edition decades ago, is now on hand in Penticton as general manager of the Oilers.

Quick skate …

Western Wonders

– Calgary Hockey Now: The Flames signed Michael Stone to a PTO. Is it a reward for loyalty or a sign of the activity on the NHL trade market? The Flames presently have ten D-men signed to one-way contracts. We’ll ask Calgary GM Brad Treliving about it later today.

– Colorado Hockey Now: He’s a superstar and he’s a Stanley Cup champion. Plus he does a pretty solid series of Tim Horton’s commercials with his pal Sid. Now it’s time to show him the money. Nathan MacKinnon is about to become the highest-paid player in the NHL. It appears his extension and monster payday are on the verge. Colorado Avalanche news.

– In Minny, 37-year-old Minnesota Wild D-man Alex Goligoski fires a first pitch strike. He’s playing his second season with his home-state NHL club.

What a Wild first pitch! 🏒

(MLB x @SIRIUSXM) pic.twitter.com/yv3zsqqH9L

— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2022

Talk to you often from the rink by the lake. Have a great weekend!