Latest news with #WillieDesjardins
National Post
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Abbotsford Canucks Live: It's a 5 p.m., Game 3 in Texas with Abby up 2-0 in series
Article content Everything is bigger in Texas. Article content Article content Houses are huge. Food portions are gigantic. And so is the appetite for sports. Article content Egos and expectations could easily be the state slogan because sports spectacles aren't just something, they mean everything in a place where the only thing that matters is winning. Article content For the Texas Stars, who trail the Abbotsford Canucks 2-0 in the best-of-seven AHL Western Conference finals, it's must-win desperation tonight in their home arena at Cedar Park, a 20-kilometre drive north of bustling Austin. Article content If the Stars expect to stage a series rally and take the next step to claiming their second Calder Cup championship in 11 years — former Canucks bench boss Willie Desjardins was at the helm in a 2014 title season — they'll have to get past standout stopper Arturs Silovs. Article content He's on the cusp of equalling another AHL playoff record and is in constant about his NHL future. Article content Silovs, 24, who made 29 saves Saturday in a 1-0 blanking of the Stars in Abbotsford, has five post-season shutouts to go with his league-leading 1.61 goals-against average and .941 saves percentage. The shutout record of six is held by former Canucks goaltender Mika Noronen, who established the mark by backstopping the Rochester Americans to the league crown in 2000. Article content Article content 'It's our game overall,' Silovs said of Abbotsford's playoff progression. 'We're getting better every single game by doing the right things by blocking shots and taking guys away from the net front. And we're doing a good job on the PK with guys sacrificing their bodies. Article content Article content 'It's a team effort. We have big confidence and we've put them (Stars) on the ropes.' Article content Article content Noronen played just four games for Vancouver after being acquired at the 2006 NHL trade deadline. In his first appearance, he was bombed in a 5-0 loss to the Nashville Predators. Noronen then signed in Russia as opposed to serving as backup to workhorse Roberto Luongo. Article content As for tonight, the Stars now need Justin Hryckowian and former Canuck Kole Lind, who have seven playoff goals apiece, to strike early. They'll also need leadership from hockey-lifer Curtis McKenzie, 34, who has four playoff goals and was 22 when the Stars won the AHL title in 2014. He had a career high 27 goals that season. Article content The Golden, B.C. native was a sixth-round pick of the NHL Stars in 2009 and had 23 points (10-13) and 131 penalty minutes in 99 games. Article content The Canucks have scored by committee in the post-season. While winger Linus Karlsson leads the club with seven goals, they've also got eight from defencemen. Article content Article content
Edmonton Journal
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Abbotsford Canucks Live: It's a 5 p.m., game 3 in Texas with Abby up 2-0 in series
Article content If the Stars expect to stage a series rally and take the next step to claiming their second Calder Cup championship in 11 years — former Canucks bench boss Willie Desjardins was at the helm in a 2014 title season — they'll have to get past standout stopper Arturs Silovs. He's on the cusp of equalling another AHL playoff record and is in constant about his NHL future. Silovs, 24, who made 29 saves Saturday in a 1-0 blanking of the Stars in Abbotsford, has five post-season shutouts to go with his league-leading 1.61 goals-against average and .941 saves percentage. The shutout record of six is held by former Canucks goaltender Mika Noronen, who established the mark by backstopping the Rochester Americans to the league crown in 2000. 'It's our game overall,' Silovs said of Abbotsford's playoff progression. 'We're getting better every single game by doing the right things by blocking shots and taking guys away from the net front. And we're doing a good job on the PK with guys sacrificing their bodies.
Toronto Star
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Meneghin shines, Tigers advance to Memorial Cup final with 3-1 win over Knights
RIMOUSKI - Willie Desjardins didn't think his group played the better game — but he had the winning goalie. Harrison Meneghin stopped 35 shots as the Medicine Hat Tigers advanced to the Memorial Cup final with a 3-1 win over the London Knights on Tuesday night.
Vancouver Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Canucks: Why Willie Desjardins believes Adam Foote doesn't need coaching advice
Yes, you can go home again. For former Vancouver Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins, his competitive comfort zone has always been Medicine Hat. And as general manager and bench boss of the WHL champion Tigers, his version of the Stanley Cup playoffs is playing out at the Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Que. The Tigers won their wild tournament opener Friday by edging the host Oceanic 5-4 in a first step to bringing a championship back west for the first time since 2014. Desjardins has guided the Tigers to three WHL titles in 14 seasons, but has yet to bring junior hockey supremacy to a city that feels like home. 'It's special,' Desjardins said in a telephone interview following Friday's win. 'I always kept my house there and people were great to me. I've always liked coaching and it hasn't mattered the level. A good fit for me.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Desjardins, 68, has university degrees in education and social work, but the game always drew the Climax, Sask., native back to the rink. 'No, never thought about it,' he said of hanging up his teaching whiteboard. 'I like the athletes I work with. In lots of jobs, you don't get back right away, but one thing about hockey, you can get back. Nice thing to have.' Desjardins had achievement and agony in his first season running an NHL bench in 2014-15. He guided the Canucks to 48 wins and 101 points, but a six-game setback in an opening-round playoff series against the Calgary Flames proved a lasting disappointment. The Canucks missed the post-season the following two seasons and Desjardins was replaced by Travis Green. He would coach the Los Angeles Kings in 2018-19 before returning to Medicine Hat. As Adam Foote prepares to supplant Rick Tocchet and debut as a rookie NHL head coach next season, Desjardins could probably provide pointers on dealing with pressure to succeed amid scrutiny in a hockey-mad market. After all, the Canucks have now had four bench bosses in the last four years. 'No advice from me,' chuckled Desjardins. 'He has enough experience on his own and doesn't need any from me. He knows the game and knows the players. He's a smart guy and passionate, too. We've crossed paths a few times. He has come from championship teams and he knows what it takes to win.' Desjardins won an AHL title before replacing John Tortorella in Vancouver and was wise to surround himself with experience. He had veteran NHL assistant coaches Perry Pearn and Doug Jarvis on his bench as voices of reason. 'That won't be as much a key for Adam as it was for me in not being around the NHL that much,' said Desjardins. 'It was key to add experience.' Foote could travel the connect-the-dots road to add a pair of assistants. For the Canucks to rebound from a win away from advancing the Western Conference final last spring, to this season of too many injuries and drama to miss the playoffs, the coaching task at hand is considerable. Help is vital and it's why familiarity could come into focus. Foote played with defenceman Bob Boughner in the OHL and they won a title with the Soo Greyhounds in 1990-91. They teamed up again with the Colorado Avalanche over two seasons in 2003-04 and 2004-05 before Boughner turned to coaching. He guided the Windsor Spitfires to OHL titles in 2009 and 2010 and then ran NHL benches in Florida and San Jose. Boughner has been an associate coach in Detroit the last three seasons, where the Red Wings have missed the playoffs for nine-straight seasons. They were six points shy of a wild-card berth this season after a 6-2-2 late-season push. Desjardins knows the feeling of expectations and eventuality. In 2014-15, the Canucks had the sixth-ranked offence, ninth-rated power play and a dozen players who hit double digits in goals. Daniel Sedin had 76 points (20-56) and Henrik Sedin 73 (18-55), while Radim Vrbata struck for 31 goals. However, the Sedins and Vrbata were held to two goals apiece in the playoffs as the power play fizzled. It was a sign of disturbing times because the Canucks were also getting older. The following campaign, Ryan Miller was 35, Henrik and Daniel, along with Vrbata and Alex Burrows, were 34, while Dan Hamhuis and Chris Higgins were 32. The Canucks tried to re-tool on the fly but plummeted to just 75 points and were eliminated from playoff contention on March 26. Injuries and suspect off-season acquisitions led to their demise, along with a poor power play. Henrik had 18 fewer points, Daniel 15 less and Vrbata dropped to 13 goals. Nine regulars were sidelined at one point, which forced as many as seven rookies into the lineup. Regardless, Desjardins was grateful for his Vancouver experience. 'I had three years to build a team and didn't get it done — that's just the way the market is,' said Desjardins. 'That's fair. Not complaints at all. I wouldn't change it. 'Great place. Great city. Fans are passionate and we were at the salary cap (ceiling) and had a great group. You don't get to work with people like that very often. I was lucky.' Which brings us back to today. The Canucks have a superstar in captain Quinn Hughes . They have quality goaltending, improved defence and third-rated penalty kill, but also a 23rd-ranked offence. Who is going to score? 'There are so many dynamics in a team now,' summed up Desjardins. 'I'm too far removed from it (Canucks), but they do have quality players. They could turn it around.' bkuzma@
National Post
25-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Canucks: Why Willie Desjardins believes Adam Foote doesn't need coaching advice
Yes, you can go home again. Article content Article content For former Vancouver Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins, his competitive comfort zone has always been Medicine Hat. And as general manager and bench boss of the WHL champion Tigers, his version of the Stanley Cup playoffs is playing out at the Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Que. Article content The Tigers won their wild tournament opener Friday by edging the host Oceanic 5-4 in a first step to bringing a championship back west for the first time since 2014. Desjardins has guided the Tigers to three WHL titles in 14 seasons, but has yet to bring junior hockey supremacy to a city that feels like home. Article content Article content 'It's special,' Desjardins said in a telephone interview following Friday's win. 'I always kept my house there and people were great to me. I've always liked coaching and it hasn't mattered the level. A good fit for me.' Article content Desjardins, 68, has university degrees in education and social work, but the game always drew the Climax, Sask., native back to the rink. Article content 'No, never thought about it,' he said of hanging up his teaching whiteboard. 'I like the athletes I work with. In lots of jobs, you don't get back right away, but one thing about hockey, you can get back. Nice thing to have.' Article content Desjardins had achievement and agony in his first season running an NHL bench in 2014-15. He guided the Canucks to 48 wins and 101 points, but a six-game setback in an opening-round playoff series against the Calgary Flames proved a lasting disappointment. Article content The Canucks missed the post-season the following two seasons and Desjardins was replaced by Travis Green. He would coach the Los Angeles Kings in 2018-19 before returning to Medicine Hat. Article content Article content Article content As Adam Foote prepares to supplant Rick Tocchet and debut as a rookie NHL head coach next season, Desjardins could probably provide pointers on dealing with pressure to succeed amid scrutiny in a hockey-mad market. After all, the Canucks have now had four bench bosses in the last four years. Article content Article content 'No advice from me,' chuckled Desjardins. 'He has enough experience on his own and doesn't need any from me. He knows the game and knows the players. He's a smart guy and passionate, too. We've crossed paths a few times. He has come from championship teams and he knows what it takes to win.' Article content Desjardins won an AHL title before replacing John Tortorella in Vancouver and was wise to surround himself with experience. He had veteran NHL assistant coaches Perry Pearn and Doug Jarvis on his bench as voices of reason. Article content 'That won't be as much a key for Adam as it was for me in not being around the NHL that much,' said Desjardins. 'It was key to add experience.' Article content Foote could travel the connect-the-dots road to add a pair of assistants. For the Canucks to rebound from a win away from advancing the Western Conference final last spring, to this season of too many injuries and drama to miss the playoffs, the coaching task at hand is considerable.
