BURNABY BOUNCEBACK?
Wiercioch taking shot with Canucks
Patrick Wiercioch is polarizing.
The Vancouver Canucks defenceman has a heavy point shot and is applauded by the analytics crowd for his puck-moving ability and positive even-strength possession numbers.
However, the Burnaby native must improve his intensity and down-low presence with a 6-5, 202-pound frame to be a roster consideration — even as a depth option — on a crowded back end.
Those shortcomings create a divide in determining his overall effectiveness, but the 26-year-old blue-liner is up for the challenge to revive his career.
Wiercioch agreed to a oneyear, one-way contract July 1 for the league minimum US$650,000. For the Canucks, it’s a low financial investment with hope of a decent return. Wiercioch won’t lack motivation.
“It’s hard to replace that opportunity to play before family and friends,” he said Tuesday from Kelowna. “And nothing really compares to getting to play in Canada for the second time. And when you’re looking for a jump-start in a transitional year, to have that kind of support is a special feeling.
“They (Canucks) want to see more aggression because they know what I can do well in terms of moving the puck. I can shoot and drive the offensive part of the play and I’ve tried to address parts (that need improving) with a good summer of training and nutrition.”
That’s vital because not only has the competition level made a major leap in the Pacific Division, the Canucks were easier to play against in their own zone last season, especially after Erik Gudbranson was lost for the season to wrist surgery in December.
It doesn’t mean running guys through the boards, but it does mean boxing out properly, being smart enough to stick check effectively and move pucks quickly.
“Honestly, it’s just a mentality,” added Wiercioch. “It’s your stick and body position and engaging earlier. I’ve always been able to have good position in reading the play well, but I need to just do it sooner and having that mindset that the quicker you get it done, the quicker you get to the fun part — stuff that comes naturally and is easier. And that’s the kind of camp coach (Travis) Green wants. He wants it to be competitive and that’s exactly the position I want to be in.”
Wiercioch wasn’t qualified by the Colorado Avalanche after last season and became an unrestricted free agent. He also fell out of favour with the Ottawa Senators after four seasons. The club’s second-round pick in 2008 seemed far removed from being a secondpairing staple with Cody Ceci in 2014-15.
There were scratches, indifferent play and no plans to bring him back after the 2015-16 season. He opted for the lowly Avalanche on a one-year, US$850,000 deal.
“You always look for opportunities, but things don’t always go the way you think,” the former University of Denver defenceman said of joining Colorado because of a familiarity with the area.
“It just builds character.” Wiercioch, who took a $150,000 pay cut, is wading into a back end that can’t score but is now 10 deep. And even after the Canucks made a failed trade play earlier his month for Jason Demers, it’s still a big climb up the roster ladder. Then again, the Canucks had 138 mangames
(The Canucks) want to see more aggression because they know what I can do well in terms of moving the puck.
lost to significant injury last season — Gudbranson (52), Chris Tanev (29), Philip Larsen (26), Alex Edler (14) Ben Hutton (11) and Nikita Tryamkin (six) — and the rigours of the schedule and the tough Pacific Division will place a premium on depth.
With projected pairings of Edler with Troy Stecher, Michael Del Zotto with Tanev and Hutton with Gudbranson — and depth options in Philip Holm, Alex Biega and Andrey Pedan — making the most out of what could be limited opportunity is imperative.
“I can get pucks to the forwards and create that attack mentality in the offensive zone,” said Wiercioch.
Wiercioch was the seventh defenceman in Colorado and played 57 games on the league’s worst team. He averaged 16-plus minutes and his 20 points (4-16) were overshadowed by a minus-18 ranking. But Tyson Barrie was a leagueworst minus-34, Fedor Tyutin was minus-25 and Nikita Zadorov minus-20.
Ice chips: Kelowna Rockets forward Kole Lind, selected 33rd overall by the Canucks in the 2017 entry draft, has been invited to Hockey Canada’s world junior development camp. Lind led the Rockets with 87 points (30-57) in 70 games.