Two weeks ago I wrote a column about how the Vancouver Canucks botched their position in regards to Dan Hamhuis.
They should have either dealt the 33-year old defenceman from Smithers at the trade deadline to Dallas or offered him a contract once he became a free agent July 1st.
By doing neither the Canucks did not help their team, long term or short term, which should not sit well with their fans.
Hamhuis, a minority owner of the Prince George Cougars, returned to P.G. last weekend to participate in the 5th annual Cougars Alumni Hospital Charity Golf Tournament with proceeds going towards heart monitor equipment for the Spirit of the North.
One could tell he was downcast to be shuffled aside by the Canucks.
“It was unfortunate we wanted to be back in Vancouver. We were disappointed not to get an offer.”
Hamhuis has been around long enough to understand that loyalty often doesn’t play a huge factor when business decisions are made.
Knowing that G.M. Jim Benning and president of hockey operations Trevor Linden showed no interest in retaining his services, Hamhuis felt his best option was in Dallas, signing a two-year $7.5 million contract with the Stars.
“Where they finished in the standings the last couple of years, (indicates) they are a very good team. They are in a window to win and that was attractive to me.”
Hamhuis will be replacing Alex Goligoski who averaged nearly 24 minutes of ice time last season in Dallas.
The soon to be 31-year old Goligoski left the Stars after signing a five-year, $27.375 million deal with the Arizona Coyotes.
Stars GM Jim Nill, in speaking with TSN Radio Vancouver, summed up his team’s back-end this way.
“We have a real young core of defencemen coming in. This group of defencemen won the Calder Cup for us three years ago (2013-14) down in Austin.
I’ve been around long enough to know you need to have that veteran presence.
I was looking for a guy with leadership skills, on and off the ice, and someone that can play major minutes to kind of show these kids along the way and Dan fit that bill for us.”
Nill added that there is a good chance that Hamhuis will be paired with 23-year old Swedish blue-liner John Klingberg who enjoyed a superb second season with the Stars (58 points and plus 22 in 76 games).
Most players would be thrilled going from a team that finished 28th in the overall standings to a team that was 2nd overall.
Hamhuis preference was Vancouver and to enjoy the lifestyle his home province has to offer, but from a hockey standpoint he is obviously much further ahead in Dallas.
And if one believes he will retire once the two-year deal is up, he suggests otherwise.
“I would certainly hope for a 3rd year and it’s hard to project after that. I feel very healthy and fit to play in a top four role.”
Sure Hamhuis may be past his prime but he feels well, is highly motivated, still possesses a solid two way game and brings a wealth of experience; all attributes winning teams look for.
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There was no fanfare, no media splash and no red carpet but goalie Jason LaBarbera of Prince George can be proud of his pro hockey career.
LaBarbera retired after the 2015-16 season where he played in 23 games with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
The 36-year-old persevered, getting as much mileage as possible while lasting a whopping 16 years in the pro ranks.
LaBarbera, who has a home in Calgary, followed a stellar stint in the WHL with a 187 game NHL career with six teams, including nine with the Canucks in 2008-09.
As a back-up, his final NHL stats are respectable with a 2.65 GAA and a .907 save percentage.
Now the challenge of the next phase of his life begins.
LaBarbera will lend his expertise with the Calgary Hitmen after he was hired by the WHL team as a goaltending coach.
Patience will be a key in the transition period, something he excelled at when playing.
From the Quote Rack:
English soccer’s Chesterfield FC has apologized for awarding a raffle prize of a trip with the team to its training camp in Hungary to a fake fan. ‘Maybe next year’, said Manti Te’o’s girlfriend.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
How to guarantee high voter turnout in the U.S. November elections – make sure voting booths include Pokestops.
Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
The latest craze is the ‘Pokémon Go’ game, where players try to find Pokémon characters on their Smart Phones. If they succeed, the next levels are D.B. Cooper, Jimmy Hoffa and Amelia Earhart.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
And in case you missed it:
Rumour has it Alex Rodriguez sent newly-married ex-teammate Derek Jeter a wedding gift of a full-length looking glass. Or as A-Rod calls mirrors, the gift that keeps on giving.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. He also is the 94.3
radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games. His column appears Fridays on
myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller