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Hockey Hall of Fame: Former Canucks Reunion Held at Legends Game

“We’re going to hide him as much as possible, so probably in the left field. Put the worst player there. — Kevin Bieksa of Roberto Luongo.

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TORONTO — Kevin Beeksa didn’t buy the hype or the hopes.

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Bieksa prepared for the worst on Sunday when he learned that former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Roberto Luongo began his hockey career as a forward at the age of eight.

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After all, when Luongo turned to the crease where he was cut by the Pee-wee team and posted a shutout in the first game, he found a home he didn’t have to walk around.

From left, Roberto Luongo, Kevin Bieksa, and Henrik Sedin chat before the Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
From left, Roberto Luongo, Kevin Bieksa, and Henrik Sedin chat before the Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, November 13, 2022. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

“Good decision,” Bieksa chuckled. “We’re going to hide him as much as possible. Probably left wing. That’s where you put your worst player. You can’t play defense because he’s responsible and defense doesn’t want to deal with him.” Therefore, he cannot become a center man.

“So get him to cover the point or hang out in the neutral zone and it’ll be harder for him to blame us for everything.” I am happy that I am not yelled at.

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Eight former Canucks hung out before Team Lindros beat Team Sandin 8-6 in regulation. And in an additional shootout, Luongo scored again in his 10-6 final. More importantly, the pre-game reunion scene at Scotiabank was special, with great players from great teams playing together and the Hockey Hall of Fame inductee honoring Henrik, Daniel Sedin and Luongo. represents

“It’s really cool,” Bieksa added. “As I entered the building and entered the changing room, the first thing I saw was my old partner and good friend, Dan Hamhouse. I agreed to do this.

Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin during the Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, November 13, 2022
Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin during the Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, November 13, 2022 Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

Bieksa hasn’t been in full gear for four and a half years.

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“I’m pretty excited about it,” he added. “It’s not often that three teammates are inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame at the same time. (Legacy).”

And with the current Canucks struggling, attention is focused on how well the former club combined skill and unmatched willpower.

“The team is trying to understand how we’ve been doing it for so long and it was because of the people in the room,” Beeksa stressed. We all have very natural personalities that have jelled together.

“Hamhuis came in with a very gentle demeanor and was the perfect partner for me. He was intelligent, soft-spoken and was able to level me.”

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Hamhuis hasn’t been on the ice much since retiring, but he attended a summer charity game at Smithers’ with Canucks alumni.

Catching up with Cory Schneider and Luongo and remembering how well the trio read each other and right on the spot was Sunday’s draw card.

“Lou and I really connected when we went to Sochi[2014 Olympics]. He may be a nice guy, but if you take the time to peel it off, he’s a lot of fun to be with.

“And with Kevin, our games complemented each other and so did our personalities. We played in different ways physically. I grabbed it and rushed.”

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Roberto Luongo (left) and Henrik Sedin confuse during a Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
Roberto Luongo (left) and Henrik Sedin confuse during a Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, November 13, 2022. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

Hamhuis then struggled to come up with a single memory that would explain Sedin’s influence in the room and on the ice.

“It was their personality, they were the nicest people. It was a pleasure to play with them,” Hamhuis said. “When you don’t play with them and you’re on the outside, you just watch the highlights.

“They’re great, but you can’t see them in the dressing room playing ping-pong or two-touching a soccer ball.

“Or a little move in practice or a game that’s not in the highlights, like two incredible behind-the-scenes plays to steal the puck.”

Morrison was at the center of the dominant West Coast Express line, which includes Marcus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi, who scored a total of 272 points in the 2003-04 season. He keeps in touch with that intimidating dynamic duo for clearly memorable reasons.

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“We played an exciting brand of hockey, but unfortunately we didn’t have the playoff success we hoped for,” Morrison said. “But we’ve done a really good job. I wouldn’t say we’ve retaken the Vancouver market, but a really good team has been on the rise for a long time.”

Morrison knows Luongo was a big part of that rise when it arrived in the trade in 2006, but he wasn’t much of a fisherman the following year at training camp on Bear Mountain near Victoria. .

“I told Lou it was going to be a nice day. We were fishing in the fog all day and it was freezing cold,” recalls Morrison. “I remember him snuggling up in the cuddy (the little compartment) and he slept most of the day. We didn’t catch much fish.

“I kept him away from salmon fishing. He didn’t touch the rod and was well rested for his next practice.

“He said in a sarcastic tone: ‘I really appreciate the experience, it was a lot of fun.

bkuzma@postmedia.com
twitter.com/benkuzma

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Hockey Hall of Fame: Former Canucks Reunion Held at Legends Game

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