With Vancouver Canuck prospect camp officially underway in Victoria, it’s time to put those highly-regarded NHL-to-be players into their paces. Some, like Luc Bourdon, are no stranger to prospect camp having done it last year, and many, like Cory Schneider, Juraj Simek, Mason Raymond and Michael Grabner are competing for the first time.
Alain Vigneault has iterated throughout the TEAM 1040 that several players will make the cut to compete in main training camp with the rest of the Canuck squad, and a lucky few may even find their way onto the roster come opening night. Players like Alex Edler are a sure lock to grab a roster spot, but some like Cory Schneider, who is in the uncomfortable position of knowing a roster spot as a netminder is unattainable, are competing to impress the Canuck brass.
Who do I like coming from prospect camp? Look no further than to the non-Canadian duo of Jannik Hansen (Denmark) and Michael Grabner (Austria). Both possess what the Canucks lack: A pure combination of speed and skill. Hansen is no stranger to Canuck fans following his impressive debut in the playoffs last season versus the Stars and Ducks, while Grabner is a pure goal-scorer and a threat whenever he has the puck. If the two manage to have a stellar camp, they could play themselves into main camp and perhaps force Alain Vigneault to keep them in British Columbia as opposed to banishing them to Manitoba for the cold winter.
What else is there to talk about? As a rugby player and a rugby fan, I’m ecstatic for the opening of the Rugby World Cup, which kicked off today at the Stade du France in Paris as the French take on Argentina. The obvious favourite lies with the New Zealand All Blacks, who have never looked better in recent memory. The All Blacks are led by captain and flanker Richie McCaw as well as the best flyhalf in all of rugby in Dan Carter. However, the road to the Webb Ellis trophy doesn’t come easy for any team, especially the All Blacks, who haven’t won the championship in 20 years. Let’s take a look at the other competition:
France: The host of the show so they’ve got a lot to prove in front of their fans and the motivation to play their best. This team is, in my mind, the best team in the northern hemisphere.
England: The defending champs of ‘03 were dealt a huge blow when Johnny Wilkinson was injured with an ankle ligament sprain. How long they’ll be without the man who kicked the tournament winner in the last World Cup could very well determine their fate.
South Africa: Like the All Blacks, the Springboks have bolstered their lineup and are the best they’ve been in years. However, they’re in a very tough pool, facing the likes of England, USA, Tonga and Samoa, the latter three who are darkhorses to make an upset.
Australia: The Wallabies are the only team in history to have won the World Cup twice but don’t bet the house on them to win it this year. Despite the fact they’re a contender, they never seem to be able to conquer their rival in New Zealand.
Canada: Okay, they’re not a contender by any means. But, Canada’s side is its strongest in recent memory and could make some noise here and there. They’ll have to do it in a tough pool, however, facing Australia, Wales, Fiji and Japan with only the top two advancing. Australia is a lock to advance, so it may come down to Canada’s biggest match versus Wales on September 9th, their first matchup of the tournament.
Matt’s Take: It’ll be the All Blacks versus the Springboks in the final, and when the All Blacks win it all, I’ll be sure to don my All Blacks jersey and wear it proudly.
