Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis today announced that the team has signed free agent centre Mats Sundin. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are very excited to have Mats join the Vancouver Canucks,” said Mike Gillis, Vancouver Canucks General Manager. “Playing previously in two Canadian markets and consistently being among team and League leaders in scoring, Mats has proven that he can excel under pressure. He adds a wealth of experience, leadership and skill to the Canucks.”
“I am truly excited to be joining the Canucks,” said Sundin. “Once I made the decision to return to play a few weeks ago, the Vancouver opportunity was simply the best overall fit. I want to thank Mike Gillis and the entire Canucks organization for their professionalism throughout this entire process.”
Sundin, 37, joins the Canucks organization after playing over 1300 career NHL regular season games with Toronto and Quebec. In an additional 83 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he has recorded 74 points (35-39-74) and 72 penalty minutes. In 1305 regular season games, Sundin has recorded 555 goals, 766 assists, 1321 points and 1065 penalty minutes. At the conclusion of the 2007-08 season, he held the Maple Leafs franchise record for most goals (420) and points (987) in a Toronto sweater.
At the conclusion of the 2007-08 season, the 6-foot-5, 230 pounds centre ranked 22nd all-time in career goals (555), 34th all-time in career assists (766) and 30th all-time in career points (1321).
The Bromma, Sweden native has also represented his home nation in a number of international tournaments. During his international career, Sundin has won the World Championships on three occasions (1991, 1992 and 1998) and was captain of Team Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympics, winning gold, alongside Canucks teammates, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Mattias Ohlund.
For his accomplishments on the ice, Sundin has been selected to play in the NHL All-Star game on nine occasions (missed 2003 due to an injury). In 2002 and 2004, Sundin was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team and was named to the Olympic Tournament All-Star Team in 2002.
Sundin was selected first overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques, becoming the first European hockey player to ever be drafted first overall. [press release]
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(December, 2008 – Vancouver, Canada) Vancouver’s entire radio community is announcing it will work together for the first time and, with the help of their listeners, assist the Salvation Army through a tough time with their Toys for Teens Day. Thursday morning thieves broke into a Salvation Army warehouse on Vancouver’s east side and stole $25,000 worth of goods destined for teenage kids this Christmas.
Tuesday from 6am to 6pm, using the power of every commercial radio signal in Vancouver, listeners will be asked to donate whatever they can to the Salvation Army in an effort to refill their warehouse with toys for teens and cash donations.
“While this theft was a very unfortunate incident for the Salvation Army, sometimes it takes a bad deed to incite incredible generosity within our community. We couldn’t be happier to hear that Vancouver Radio has united behind this one cause. We’re sure now that we will double the amount stolen just because of this initiative” said the Salvation Army’s Major Brian Venables.
Vancouver radio listener donations will be accepted at a number of locations throughout the Lower Mainland Tuesday. Check your favourite radio station’s website for details on exact locations.
An effort of this magnitude is unprecedented in Vancouver radio. Never before has Vancouver’s commercial radio group united in unison around a single cause like this. For more details on how you can help listen to your AM or FM dial in your car or at home. All of the station’s websites will also have the necessary links that will assist in your donation.
Christmas is about giving. No-one can take that away. The Salvation Army Toys For Teens Day. Vancouver Radio, Working together
Cash donations can be made anytime through the Salvation Army’s website at: www.salvationarmy.ca
95Crave will be at Safeway locations in Vancouver, Surrey, Coquiltam and Richmond as a part of Nat and Drew’s Food Bank Fill Up. In addition to Food Bank donations, we will also accept Toys for Teens for The Salvation Army.
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MONTREAL, Dec. 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Astral Media Inc. (TSX: ACM.A/ACM.B), Canada’s largest radio broadcaster, today announced that it will roll out the Virgin Radio brand across Canada. In early January 2009, the stations now known as 95 Crave (95.3 FM) in Vancouver, The Bear (106.9 FM) in Ottawa and Mix 96 (95.9 FM) in Montreal will become part of Astral Media’s Virgin Radio branded group.
The groundbreaking partnership between Astral Media and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Radio International was launched earlier this year with the introduction of Virgin Radio 999 in Toronto, which was the first Virgin Radio station in North America.
“This is a milestone announcement, building a solid Canadian presence for the Virgin Radio brand across Canada with four stations in the Astral Media Radio portfolio,” said Jacques Parisien, Group President, Astral Media Radio and Astral Media Outdoor. “With Virgin Radio 999 in Toronto surpassing 1,000,000 listeners in the recent BBM survey, the first since its launch in August of this year, the excitement and enthusiasm generated among listeners and advertisers is unprecedented. Astral Media is excited to bring the dynamic and innovative sounds of the Virgin Radio brand to three new Canadian markets. We are confident that the Virgin Radio brand will invigorate our stations, while offering an entirely new and rejuvenated promise to our clients.”
Astral Media Radio (AMR) is the largest radio broadcaster in Canada and is increasingly known for introducing innovative new ideas to the radio industry. With the launch of the Virgin Radio brand in three new markets, AMR is challenging the norms of conventional stations and shaking up the radio landscape with a fresh sound and unique new programming formats; delivering a new voice with first class entertainment value to each market.
The Vancouver and Montreal Virgin Radio stations that will launch early in January 2009 will focus on the Hot AC format with a target of 25-49 year-old adults. Virgin Radio Ottawa, also launching in January 2009, will build on its heritage to feature a re-energized rock format aimed at 25-54 year-old men.
Virgin Radio stations are known for dynamic on-air talent, exciting guest hosts and international celebrities. Virgin is the record company that signed the Rolling Stones and countless other bands. The Rock history that is part of the brand will also be a big part of the Ottawa radio station.
More details of exciting additions to the line ups of each Virgin Radio station will be announced on launch day in each market. [press release]
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Just got the press release from the Vancouver Canucks as they get ready to honour Trevor Linden on December 17 vs. Edmonton.
photo by Jeff Vinnick of Getty Images
Vancouver, B.C. – The Vancouver Canucks are proud to announce that Canucks.com will celebrate 16 Days of Trevor Linden, beginning on Monday, December 1st, 2008. The special 16-day initiative will take an in-depth look at Trevor Linden’s career, concluding on December 16th, 2008 just one day prior to Trevor Linden’s sweater retirement ceremony.
The 16 Days of Trevor Linden will feature video and print content as well as a series of photo galleries highlighting Linden’s hockey career spanning more than two decades. The 16 days of coverage encompasses draft day in 1988 through to his last game on April 5, 2008 and will include stories and accounts from on and off the ice courtesy of former teammates, coaches, fans and countless others impacted by Trevor.
Exclusive commentary from former teammates and coaches will highlight a collection of excerpts to be included in the 16 Days of Trevor Linden. Video content will depict the terrific ’94 run to the Stanley Cup, a collection of Linden’s most memorable goals from his 19-year NHL career and a number of other significant moments in Linden’s career. A compilation of photos will comprise a series of photo galleries including one gallery highlighting some of his many involvements with those in the community.
To access the 16 Days of Trevor Linden, please go to Canucks.com starting December 1st through December 16th, 2008.
[press release]
I did an interview with Trevor Linden the day he announced his retirement, I’m looking forward to chatting with him again in the next couple of weeks.
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I know what I’m getting my grandmother for Christmas. She just saw Il Divo on Regis and Kelly for the first time this week and fell in love.
Now they’re coming to Vancouver:
DETAILS:
DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009
TIME: 7:30 PM
VENUE: GENERAL MOTORS PLACE
PRICES: $57.05 - CA $127.05, plus applicable service charges & fees
Of course you can get tickets before anyone else, here’s the secret info:
INTERNET ORDER PERIOD:
Start: THU, NOV 27 @ 10AM
End: FRI, NOV 28 @ 10PM
*********************************************
TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS**:
1. Click on this link and follow the instructions to select your seats. The link will only be active during the INTERNET ORDER PERIOD.
2. When prompted, enter the following password in the Presale section and proceed with your order: angelina
3. Select your delivery type and make your payment to complete your purchase.
4. Once your order has been processed, a confirmation number will be provided. Keep this number on file for reference.
Password: angelina
**Specific seats have been assigned to this exclusive sale during the INTERNET ORDER PERIOD.
**This pre-sale is available THU, NOV 27 @ 10AM to FRI, NOV 28 @ 10PM
**LIMIT OF 8 TICKETS PER HOUSEHOLD.
**Availability of seats is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and is restricted to areas defined by the promoter.
**Ticket prices, service charges, and availability of seats may be subject to change.
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In 2006 I played in the BC Poker Championships on a sponsor’s exemption. I had won a few tournaments at the River Rock before, and I was primed and ready to play. I lasted 2 hours, getting overly aggressive with a pair of 9s only to be faced with a pair of Qs from my opponent.
I haven’t gone back in the tournament since, mostly because I haven’t been offered another sponsor’s exemption, and I can’t find a way to rationalize the $2700 entry fee. Sure, it’s a lot less than the $10 000 entry to the Main Event at the World Series of Poker, but it’s a lot more than I’m willing to risk on a lottery.
Sure, poker is skill, but a big tournament is still a lottery - that’s why the big names havent won the WSOP Main Event in a while, and none of the pros who show up for the big events at the River Rock have won either.
That doesn’t matter, because even though the tournament is big, the cash games running at the ‘Rock for the next week will be bigger, and check out the list of pros ready to go fishing.
This year’s BC Poker Championships has an estimated prize pool of $3 million, 2616 seats, five events, and eight full days of tournament play.
Daniel Negreanu, Brad Booth, Gavin Smith, and Lacey Jones are coming to town for the BCPC Main Event.
“The caliber of BCLC’s poker tournaments has made British Columbia a hot destination for exciting poker,” said Darryl Schiewe, BCLC’s Vice President of Casino and Community Gaming. “This year’s BC Poker Championships will feature an action-packed week of Texas Hold’Em with plenty of opportunities for players to put their skills to the test.”
For the past three years, the BC Poker Championships have caught the attention of poker enthusiasts across Canada and the USA who want to compete for the provincial championship title. This year’s event spares no disappointment - it has raked in the strongest pre-event registration ever.
November 16 - $275,000 No Limit Texas Hold’Em
November 17 – $275,000 Limit / No Limit Mixed Texas Hold’Em
November 18 & 19 – $550,000 No Limit Texas Hold’Em
November 20 – 23 – $1,875,000 No Limit Texas Hold’Em Main Event
November 21 – 23 - $216,000 Shootout No Limit Short Handed
It’s free to go watch any of the tournaments, it’s also free to crowd around the high limit tables and watch the pros work their magic for some big dollars. It’s a great week to be a poker fan in Vancouver.
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The Province of British Columbia has announced it will fund insulin pumps for eligible children with Type 1 diabetes.
“Coping with Type 1 diabetes can be stressful for young children and their families. Providing insulin pumps can help alleviate that stress for BC kids and ensure they grow up to be healthy adults,” said Premier Campbell. “Providing insulin pumps is another tool for parents and physicians to manage the disease, so our children can live happy, healthy and productive lives.”
In addition the Province will now cover the cost of insulin pump reservoirs for patients of all ages who use insulin pumps to manage their diabetes. Reservoirs are disposable, and on average, must be changed every three days. Expanding their coverage to include reservoirs will save patients with Type 1 diabetes up to $700 annually.
Gordon Campbell’s announcement immediately brought shrieks of glee from the Twittersphere.
After I posted the news on Twitter, Adjoa said “Oh my God, really? Insulin pump funding? I screamed at my desk when I read your Twitt.” When I confirmed the news minutes later, she was still smiling “YES! that will go a long way for a lot of families. Hopefully adults soon - cute kids do grow up (Smiling & batting eyes),” she wrote.
Here’s video of the announcement at Bayview Elementary School.
The Canucks will debut their new look this Saturday night when they play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The sweater combines the original blue, green and white colouring, along with the ‘Stick and Rink’, ‘V’ and ‘Johnny Canuck’ logos to honour each era of Canucks history.
“Our new sweater is intended to celebrate the past and present in both the Canucks and Vancouver’s hockey history,” said Chris Zimmerman, Canucks President and CEO. “The new sweater reflects our heritage, our future and our great city and province.”
The Canucks new third sweater is primarily blue with classic horizontal green and white stripes; a tribute to the Canucks first NHL season in 1970, symbolizing BC’s natural landscape. The primary mark on the chest is an evolution of the original ‘Stick and Rink’ logo that maintains simplicity in its design and a connection to the game of hockey, while providing more definition to the Canuck ‘C’. Each shoulder features a ‘V’ and ‘Johnny Canuck’ logo reflective of Vancouver’s hockey heritage.
The design of the third sweater captures the rich history of our fans love of hockey, Canuck teams, the original colours, the first logo and the ‘V’ for Vancouver. Prior to the start of the 2007-08 season the Canucks launched their current home and away sweaters as part of the League wide initiative that sees all 30 teams wearing the Rbk EDGE Uniform System.
I still think the Johnny Canuck V looks like the Vachon Chef.
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The 2008 NHL season starts tonight for the Vancouver Canucks with bittersweet emotion. With all the excitement and energy that comes with a new season, a touch of sadness and silence will ring through the corridors and dressing rooms tonight as the Canucks dedicate the game to Luc Bourdon, their promising young defencemen who was killed in a motorcycle accident in the off-season.
Vancouver, B.C. – The Vancouver Canucks, joined by members of the Bourdon family and representatives of BC Hockey, unveiled the Luc Bourdon Wall of Dreams today. The wall, inspired by Luc Bourdon’s character and dedication to hockey, is located at Gate 3 of General Motors Place.
“Luc’s passion, courage and perseverance serves as a living legacy to everyone in the Canucks family,” said Chris Zimmerman, President and CEO, Canucks Sports & Entertainment. “The Wall of Dreams is a reminder of the joy that hockey brings to all ages and skill levels. But perhaps, more importantly, it reminds us that with hard work and dedication a dream can come true. We are extremely pleased that the Bourdon family could join us today so that we could honour and celebrate Luc, and what he stood for, together.”
The Luc Bourdon Wall of Dreams honours all of those in minor hockey – a group always close to Luc’s heart. A total of 191 pucks representing BC Hockey membership have been placed in the wall – a visual salute and tribute to Luc and what he represented. [press release]
Game time is 730 tonight, people are being asked to arrive early for a pre-game ceremony honouring Luc.
Curtis Sanford has selected a winning mask design from more than 300 entries made to the team’s website during the two-week contest. Canucks fans submitted mask designs from all over British Columbia and as far away as Scotland; the youngest designer was aged four.
Kirk Car, a commercial fisherman from Mission, BC submitted the winning design, which features a stylized orca whale with gaping jaws surrounding the mask cage. In addition to having the design featured on the mask itself, Mr. Car will receive an autographed Curtis Sanford jersey plus a meet and greet with Sanford and the professionally finished mask.
“I was very impressed with the number of great mask designs and choosing the one I’ll wear this season was not easy”, said Sanford. “I chose Kirk’s design because he made the orca come to life. I’m excited to see how it looks on the mask once it’s been painted.”
Local artist and certified mask designer, Ian Johnson of Excalibur Airbrushing is currently painting Sanford’s mask. Sanford will unveil the mask at the Canucks training camp in Whistler, BC, which opens September 20th. Canucks TV will be there to capture the creation of the mask and feature the design process on Canucks.com.
It’s been an all around Canuck kinda day. Training camp opens this weekend and the half and full season ticket holders formed a steady stream down to GM Place today for the first day to pick up tickets. This is my first year as a full season ticket holder and I am impressed with the treatment those who pony up are given. Check out the binders I got to stuff under my arm.
I’m going to go through the tickets tonight and will be tossing up the first auctions to raise money for Team Diabetes Easter Island by the weekend.. if you want to go to a Canucks game this season AND you’d like a tax receipt .. pay attention!
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photo by Jeff Vinnick of Getty Images
Just as 
The 2008 NHL season starts tonight for the 
Kirk Car, a commercial fisherman from Mission, BC submitted the winning design, which features a stylized orca whale with gaping jaws surrounding the mask cage. In addition to having the design featured on the mask itself, Mr. Car will receive an autographed Curtis Sanford jersey plus a meet and greet with Sanford and the professionally finished mask. 
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