Raise a Reader Day with Stan Smyl

Sep 24 2008

Posted by buzz in charity, community, media, newspaper, sports

The Vancouver Sun grabbed dignitaries from across the city this morning to flog papers on street corners in the downtown core to raise money for literacy programs in the province. Raise a Reader is a great morning, and the 95Crave team showed up in full force on the corner of Hornby and Georgia to sell our stack.

In addition to media outlets, members of the Vancouver Canucks are also out on the street and the big draw for the day. It becomes a scavenger hunt as fans run around the blocks looking for their favorite player. Mason Raymond, Ryan Kesler, Kirk McClean, Nolan Baumgartner, and Orland Kurtenbach were some of the heroes scattered across the core.

I got to spend the morning with another Canuck legend, the only man with a jersey in the rafters (for now) - Stan Smyl.

The Steamer and I shared some great stories over our 2hrs selling papers, here’s some of what he had to say:

On having jerseys retired:
Stan thinks all these high numbers that players have to wear now is getting a litte ridiculous. He thinks its a great honour to have a jersey hanging in the rafters, but that number shouldnt be “retired” from play. Think about the problem the Montreal Canadiens will have as they continue retiring jerseys, soon there will be none available below 36.

On the new captain:
I offered up Kesler as a candidate. “Oh, he really wants it,” responded Steamer. Stan coached him in the minors and says Kes has always had the qualities and drive to make him a great captain. Stan commented on thoughts that maybe Kesler is too young for the C by responding that Trevor had it when he was in his early 20s.

On making the team:
Steamer says its tough for players to get a fair shake. After the game last night all the coaches sat around and dissected each player’s performance. One missed pass, one missed check, one wide shot could sink a player’s chances at making the team. It’s a very fine line between Manitoba and the NHL.

I asked if he thought 18yr old draftees should be allowed to play in the AHL, instead of being sent back to junior. Stan would like to see that, but realizes to protect the junior game you have to give the players back.

Smyl said it’s tough to be a coach and pull players out of college, or Europe. He was the one that got Mason Raymond out of his college program (something the coaches and schools don’t appreciate) and in November he will be heading to the KHL to look at 2 young Russian prospects with top 6 potential to pull out of that league. Stan says the coaches see you in the stands and do everything to hide the player so you can’t talk to him.

Stan also helped me pick a winner of Canucks exhibition tickets from the list of donors to Team Diabetes this week. Congratulations Laura!

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