Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat, who is also the team's player representative to the NHLPA, called out the organization for its handling of professional hockey player Kyle Beach's sexual assault allegations against ex-Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich.

Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet provided Horvat's comments:

Beach specifically called out NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr in an interview with  TSN's Rick Westhead:

"I know I reported every single detail to an individual at the NHLPA, who I was put in contact with after," Beach said, per ESPN's Emily Kaplan.

"I believe two different people talked to Don Fehr. And for him to turn his back on the players when his one job is to protect the players at all costs, I don't know how that can be your leader. I don't know how he can be in charge."

Fehr has since recommended that the NHLPA hire an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation into how the organization handled Beach's allegations, per Kaplan.

Beach's agent, Ross Gurney, said he placed a call to the NHLPA regarding Aldrich, who resigned from his position with the Blackhawks before working for USA Hockey at the 2011 Women's Under-18 World Championships.

“My purpose in calling the PA was to get a warning to USA Hockey,” Gurney said, per Westhead. “That is what I was directed to do by Kyle.”

Beach said that he spoke with Dr. Brian Shaw, a psychologist and program administrator with the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, but that nothing was done.

“Dr. Shaw told me [during a phone call] he would handle it and make sure that Team USA was aware that Brad Aldrich is a sexual predator,” Beach told TSN on Wednesday. "After that one conversation, the NHLPA cut me loose. I never heard from them again.”

Shaw declined to comment on the matter when TSN reached out.

"I want to be clear about memory bias and I have feelings of wanting to be fair and supportive of Kyle," Shaw said. "I'm not going to say anything else."

Following the forward's interview with TSN, Fehr released a statement in support of Beach while acknowledging the failures of the NHLPA to provide assistance:

Kyle Beach has been through a horrific experience and has shown true courage in telling his story. There is no doubt that the system failed to support him in his time of need, and we are part of that system.

In his media interview, Mr. Beach stated that several months after the incident he told someone at the NHLPA the details of what happened to him. He is referring to one of the program doctors with the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. While this program is confidential between players and the doctors, the grave nature of this incident should have resulted in further action on our part. The fact that it did not was a serious failure. I am truly sorry, and I am committed to making changes to ensure it does not happen again.

Chicago selected Beach 11th overall in the 2008 NHL draft. He's been a professional hockey player since 2009, when he first suited up for the AHL's Rockford IceHogs. Beach currently plays for Black Dragons Erfurt in the Oberliga in Germany.

Quinn Hughes and the Vancouver Canucks have reportedly agreed to a six-year contract that will pay the defenseman "slightly above $7.75 million" per season, according to Satiar Shah of Sportsnet. 

That follows a report from Thomas Drance of The Athletic that Hughes and the Canucks were making progress in contract negotiations:

Hughes, 21, appeared in 56 games for the Canucks in the 2020-21 season, posting three goals and 38 assists while averaging 22 minutes and 48 minutes of average ice time. He was minus-24 for the year. 

His eight goals and 45 assists in the 2019-20 season made it clear Hughes was going to be a franchise cornerstone for Vancouver going forward, even if he appeared to take a slight step backwards this past year. 

Nonetheless, the long-term plan in Vancouver should be to build around Hughes and 22-year-old center Elias Pettersson, also negotiating his second contract with the team. Pettersson, the 2018-19 Calder Trophy winner, has posted 65 goals and 88 assists in 165 career games, nearly a point per contest. 

Getting these deals done would be a nice positive for a Canucks team in a state of flux. It's unclear if Travis Hamonic will play this season. Brock Boeser, Tyler Motte and Brandon Sutter are injured. Add in Hughes and Pettersson being away from the team, and the Canucks have entered the preseason with a depleted roster. 

"I'm pretty off the grid social-media wise, so you guys will probably know before me," Canucks winger J.T. Miller said of Hughes and Pettersson's negotiations. "We're getting closer and closer (to the season) and I'm sure that the anticipation and pressure for them is... through the roof. I'm staying out it; they don't need my help. I think they all know that we want them here and need them. But this is a big part of their future, a big part of their lives, and big decisions are being made."

The fireworks are reportedly starting before Friday's 2021 NHL draft.

According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and right wing Conor Garland in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes.

Pierre LeBrun of TSN noted the Coyotes will get the No. 9 overall pick this year in addition to left wings Loui Eriksson and Antoine Roussel as well as center Jay Beagle.

NHL reporter Elliotte Friedman added more context:

Ekman-Larsson immediately stands out in the deal as a two-time All-Star who can help anchor Vancouver's blue line.

The 30-year-old tallied 24 points in 46 games during the shortened 2020-21 campaign and isn't far removed from a stretch that saw him post 42 or more points five times in a six-season span from 2013-14 through 2018-19.

The 6'2", 200-pound Swede can get involved on the offensive side or the power play while being solid defensively.

Ekman-Larsson will be joined by Garland on the Canucks after they spent the last three seasons together in Arizona. Garland is just 25 years old and posted a career-best 39 points in just 49 games during the 2020-21 season.

The forward appeared to turn the corner as a playmaker and figures to be a key part of Vancouver's attack in 2021-22.

He also seemed to express frustration after the deal when he told reporters, "Everybody knows what's gone on here. We haven't heard anything from the team since maybe three days after the season ended when they asked for our offer. It's been a while waiting for that. You just want to go where you're wanted."

The Canucks gave up plenty to acquire the two impact players, including a top-10 pick. However, they've only advanced out of the first round once since their run to the Western Conference Final in 2012 and are trying to bounce back from their 24-26-6 record during the past season. 

From Arizona's perspective, the top-10 pick could help facilitate a long-range turnaround for a club that has made the playoffs just once in the last nine campaigns.

It also got some veteran leadership with Eriksson (36 years old), Roussel (31) and Beagle (35) to perhaps stabilize the team in the short term as it looks to compete.

The Vancouver Canucks have placed forward Jake Virtanen on leave after an unnamed woman accused him of sexual misconduct.

"We have become aware of the concerning allegations made about Jake Virtanen," the Canucks said in a statement released Saturday (h/t ESPN's Emily Kaplan).

"Our organization does not accept sexual misconduct of any kind and the claims as reported are being treated very seriously by us. We have engaged external expertise to assist in an independent investigation and we have placed the player on leave as we wait more information."

Alanna Kelly of Glacier Media spoke exclusively with the woman, who was not identified due to "fear of public backlash," per Kelly.

The woman told Kelly she agreed to meet Virtanen in Sept. 2017. He picked her up in a car and brought her to a Vancouver hotel, where she says he committed sexual misconduct toward her.

"I couldn't believe that I said no and he didn't take that for an answer," Emily told Kelly. "I felt violated and gross and wanted to leave."

The woman has contacted the police, per Kelly. No charges have been filed as of Saturday.

Kelly reported the woman made her allegations public after seeing similar stories posted on an anonymous, private Instagram account.

The NHL also released a statement via deputy commissioner Bill Daly: "We are aware of this issue and have been in contact with the club regarding appropriate response. We don't have any further comment at this time."

Vancouver selected Virtanen sixth overall in the 2014 NHL draft. The 24-year-old has played in 317 regular-season games with the Canucks over six seasons, beginning in 2015-16. 

On Thursday, the NHL announced it delayed plans for the Vancouver Canucks to return to action Friday because of the COVID-19 outbreak that struck the team.

"The decision to extend the period prior to the team's resumption of play was made to provide Club staff and Players with additional time for recovery and preparation following its recent COVID outbreak," the announcement read. "The NHL made the decision with input from the League's, NHLPA's and Club's medical groups."

Schedule changes for the North Division will be released Friday.

Vancouver has not played a game since March 24.

This comes after forward J.T. Miller told reporters he did not believe the league's rescheduling plan for the Canucks was safe:

"This is nothing to do with hockey," Miller said. "To be brutally honest, we're going to need more time than this to come back and play hockey. Even the guys that didn't get it aren't ready."

Emily Kaplan of ESPN noted the NHL planned for Vancouver to play its last 19 games in the span of 31 days, which delayed the end of the North Division's regular-season slate. However, the league held a Zoom call with players Wednesday to address their concerns.

Kaplan reported a number of the players who contracted the virus were symptomatic, including one who needed an IV.

Vancouver is 16-18-3 for 35 points through 37 games. It is 10 points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final playoff spot from the division.

Vancouver Canucks winger J.T. Miller believes the NHL has created an unsafe environment after rescheduling a number of games following a COVID-19 outbreak within the organization. 

The league wants the Canuck to play 19 games in 31 days after 25 players tested positive for the coronavirus, leading to a weeks-long shutdown of team activities. 

"This is nothing to do with hockey," Miller told reporters. "To be brutally honest, we're going to need more time than this to come back and play hockey. Even the guys that didn't get it aren't ready."

Miller is the second player to publicly question the league's decision. Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid called out the NHL last week after the league scheduled a game immediately following a memorial service for teammate Colby Cave. The move was made in order to accommodate the Canucks' new schedule.     

Oilers coach Dave Tippett responded by giving Edmonton two days off for their team's mental health following the day of the memorial. The Canucks won't have the luxury of giving players extra rest. 

Seven Vancouver players remain on the COVID-19 list with the team preparing to resume play on Friday—its first contest since March 24.

That will kick off a stretch of five games in seven days.

"What we're being asked to do is not going to be too safe," Miller said. "I know everyone has a job to do but to expect our entire team to be ready to play in one practice and a pre-game skate is a bit hard to comprehend."

Vancouver returns to the ice 16-18-3 (35 points) 10 points back of the Montreal Canadiens for the fourth and final postseason spot in the North Division. 

The Vancouver Canucks are gearing up for their return to play on Friday, as the team removed nine players from the NHL's COVID-19 list on Wednesday.

Trevis Boyd, Thatcher Demko, Braden Holtby, Bo Horvat, Marc Michaelis, Tyler Motte, Tyler Myers, Antoine Roussel and Brandon Sutter were the latest players to come off of the list (h/t Joshua Clipperton of the Canadian Press).

There are still seven players under the designation.

The Canucks haven't played since March 24 as a COVID-19 outbreak spread through the organization, with 22 players and four staff members testing positive for the virus, according to Tim Campbell of NHL.com. 

The Canucks had eight total games postponed over the 11-day span.

On Monday, the team had 10 players skate on their first day back on the ice, per. 

"Some guys feel really good and they're ready to go," general manager Jim Benning said. "Other guys are still feeling some residual effects of the COVID. But the next step for them is to start working out, getting on the ice and getting back in shape to play again." 

Benning said coach Travis Green was among the players affected, while forward Tanner Pearson was able to avoid any issues. 

"Obviously I've stayed on the right side of it," Pearson said. "For the most part, our team hasn't. I've talked to most guys that got it, array of symptoms, some are still battling them, so hopefully that gets in a positive way better soon." 

Forward J.T. Miller voiced his concerns about resuming the season with so many players still affected:

When their season picks back up on Friday, the Canucks will play their 19 remaining games in 31 days, concluding the year on May 16. That is eight days after the scheduled NHL regular-season end date of May 8, but the league has had to deal with 49 postponements due to COVID-19 protocols since the start of the year. 

The Canucks are currently in sixth place in the North Division, 10 points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final playoff spot. 

The Vancouver Canucks' pause because of COVID-19 will last at least another day.

The team—which has had eight games postponed dating back to March 31 amid a virus outbreak within the organization—was scheduled to reopen its facilities Sunday, but Jay Beagle was placed into the league's COVID-19 protocols Sunday, according to Jeff Paterson of The Athletic.

As a result, the facilities will be closed until at least Monday, per ESPN.

Vancouver is currently scheduled to resume play Friday against the Edmonton Oilers. 

The Canucks haven't played since March 24, as 21 players and four staff members returned positive tests for a COVID-19 variant, according to Mike Battaglino of NHL.com.

ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported that several of the players were in "rough shape" while battling the virus and had "intense" symptoms, including fatigue and dehydration so severe that team staff went to their homes to administer IV treatments. 

On Saturday, there were 19 players on the COVID-19 protocol list, Battaglino reported. 

Meanwhile, the NHL regular season was extended a second time and is now slated to end May 16. The league was originally scheduled to wrap things up on May 8 but had already added extra time once, up to May 11. 

Since the NHL season began on Jan. 13, 54 games had to be postponed, including 49 because of COVID-19 protocol.

The all-Canada North Division managed to stave off COVID-19-related postponements until March 22, when the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens were postponed because of two Canadiens players entering COVID protocols. 

The Canucks (16-18-3) are in sixth place and are eight points behind the Canadiens with 19 games left to play. The top four teams in each division will make the Stanley Cup playoffs, though a start date has not been announced. 

The NHL announced the Vancouver Canucks will resume team activities Sunday, pending COVID-19 test results Saturday, after an outbreak infected at least 20 players in recent weeks.

The league has rescheduled eight contests over the final month of the season, which will allow the team to complete a full 56-game season as originally planned.

The Canucks will play their first game since March 24 on April 16 against the Edmonton Oilers at 9 p.m. ET.

As a result of the pause in Vancouver's season, the NHL has altered the schedule of 15 games within the league's North Division—comprised of only Canadian teams—in order to make a 56-game schedule feasible.

Per the NHL's statement:

The Canucks' organization has, and will continue to follow, all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of its Players, staff and community at large as set by the NHL, local, provincial and federal agencies.

The NHL will continue to assess the progression of the regular season before announcing definitive dates for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the newly revised end date for the regular season for the North Division, it is possible that the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the East, Central and West Divisions could open a few days earlier than the North Division.

The regular season is currently slated to conclude May 16.

The top four teams in each division will play each other in the first two rounds of the playoffs to crown a division champion before facing a team from a rival division in the semifinal round to determine which teams advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

That group more than likely will not include the Canucks, who are 16-18-3 (35 points) and eight points back of the Montreal Canadiens for the fourth seed in the North Division.

The NHL is hoping the Vancouver Canucks can resume playing games next week amid a COVID-19 outbreak within the organization. 

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN's Emily Kaplan that the league is looking at the end of next week as a potential return date for the Canucks. 

The Canucks announced Wednesday that 21 players and four coaches have tested positive for the coronavirus. The results also showed that a variant strain of COVID-19 was also among the positive tests. 

The Canucks added that an investigation by Vancouver Coastal Health, as well as contact tracing conducted by the team, determined the outbreak began with a single unidentified individual who contracted the virus in a "community setting."

Daly told Kaplan that the NHL is hopeful the Canucks will still be able to play a full 56-game schedule. The 2020-21 regular season is scheduled to end May 8. 

Kaplan noted the Canucks had no new players added to the league's COVID-19 protocol Thursday for the first time since April 1. 

Vancouver hasn't played a game since a 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on March 24. The team has had five games postponed, with its next scheduled game set for Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. 

Yet, given Daly's timeline of late next week as a potential return for the Canucks, their first game back could be at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 17. 

The Canucks are in fifth place in the NHL's North Division with a 16-18-3 record and 35 points.