Vancouver Canucks hockey stars Daniel and Henrik Sedin have donated $1.5 million to help build a new BC Children's Hospital.

The Swedish twins, who've played for the NHL club for a decade, made their gift to support the hospital's Campaign for BC Children and specifically to the intensive care unit and diagnostics and imaging area in the new hospital.

In a statement issued through the hospital foundation, the brothers said they and their families feel very fortunate to live and work in Vancouver and want to give something back that would benefit children and families across the province.

The BC Children's Hospital Foundation says its $200-million campaign passed the $100-million mark in December.

Campaign chairman Don Lindsay says the foundation is delighted with the gift and noted the Sedins have supported the children's hospital for many years through visits and appearances in TV fund-raising ads.

BC Children's Hospital is the province's only full-service, acute-care facility for kids, serving a million children in B.C. and the Yukon, with 72,000 patients treated last year.

Posted on March 10th, 2010 by Chris - Comments

2k Sports announced today that Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler is the coverboy for their NHL 2k11 video game.

Kesler calls it the "icing on the cake" after his Olympic experience.

"Everything just keeps getting better for me," he told The Canadian Press. "I'm very excited."

Kesler admits the only way he thought he'd ever be on a video game box was "if I put my own picture on there."

"It's a dream come true for me. ... I grew up playing and to be on the cover of 2K is unbelievable," he said.

Once known for his defensive skills -- he was a finalist last year for the Selke Trophy -- Kesler is enjoying a career year on offence with 19 goals and 40 assists in 65 games this season.

"I expected to maybe crash after the Olympics a little bit," he said. "Playing in front of my friends and family the first couple of games helped with that. I'm still, I think, on that Olympic high. I've been feeling good out there, I've been skating and using my strengths."

Kesler was involved with the game last year, appearing in a TV commercial with teammate Kevin Bieksa and LA King Jack Johnson. He also took part in the motion capture process with Alex Ovechkin, who was the face of NHL 2K10.

The only other Canucks to appear on a video game cover are Markus Naslund for EA's NHL 2005, and Kirk McLean in EA's NHL 95.

Posted on March 8th, 2010 by Chris - Comments

The final minor tweak of the trade deadline for the Vancouver Canucks appears to be the acquisition of defenceman Andew Alberts from the Carolina Hurricanes for a third rounder.

Alberts is a 6'5" physical stay-at-home third pairing guy. At 28 years old his upside is not high, but he may make for an adequate temporary replacement for Willie Mitchell (injured).

The deadline has now passed and while some trades may trickle in late, we do not expect any more action from Vancouver.

Posted on March 3rd, 2010 by Chris - Comments

The Vancouver Canucks have traded veteran defenceman Mathieu Schneider to the Phoenix Coyotes.

In return the Canucks receive 26 year old AHL defenceman Sean Zimmerman and a conditional sixth round draft pick.

Schneider, 40, was an unrestricted free agent signing by the Canucks last August. In 17 games on the west coast, the New York native scored two goals and three assists.

The signing of Schneider probably would have never happened if GM Mike Gillis knew he'd be able to acquire Christian Ehrhoff from San Jose shortly after.

Posted on March 3rd, 2010 by Chris - Comments