Fourteen years ago, the last time Vancouver brought its NHL roster to Penticton, expectations were sky-high for the club.
Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Roberto Luongo and Ryan Kesler were among those to walk through the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) doors, poised to return to the playoffs after a gut-wrenching loss to Chicago.
Two captains and five head coaches later, the Canucks are back in the Okanagan — with expectations for Vancouver today resembling those of more than a decade ago.
"Playoffs was a blast, it was awesome that we had success and I think it's only going to help us," forward Brock Boeser told reporters, referencing the team's second-round appearance in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Canucks arrived in Penticton on Wednesday evening, succeeding the team's annual Young Stars Classic that brought prospects from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg to the South Okanagan city one weekend earlier.
Saturday's practice started the same way it has all week, with injured goaltender Thatcher Demko skating on his own as he recovers from a rare muscle injury he sustained during the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“I would say that we’re on a great trajectory right now,” Demko said on his first day in Penticton. “I’m the most confident that I’ve been in the rehab process up to date.”
Goaltender Arthur Silovs, who took the bulk of Canucks' playoff action when Demko went down, was joined on the SOEC ice by Nikita Tolopilo. The undrafted netminder starred with Vancouver's top prospects team during the Young Stars Classic.
"It's a little bit of a different level, guys with a lot of NHL experience and stars," Tolopilo said. "It's different, but fun."
With the timeline of Demko's return unclear, the Canucks on Saturday agreed to a one-year deal with former Predators netminder Kevin Lankinen. The 29-year-old appeared in 24 games with Nashivlle last season.
“Kevin is an experienced NHL player who will add to our depth in goal,” said Vancouver general manager Patrik Allvin. “He had a solid season last year in Nashville and has the size and skillset we like in a netminder."
New Canucks in Penticton this weekend include Jake DeBrusk, who joins B.C.'s team after spending the first seven years of his career with the Boston Bruins.
The 27-year-old was paired for most of this week's camp with forward Elias Pettersson, who recorded 89 points in 82 games with Vancouver one season ago.
Pettersson had previously been in the Penticton in 2017 when he headlined the Canucks' roster at the Young Stars Classic.
Like it was Thursday to Saturday, players will be split into two groups on Sunday — this time for a team scrimmage.
“The City of Penticton is thrilled to be able to welcome the Vancouver Canucks to town for training camp as they prepare for what will be an exciting season," said Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield. "This is going to be a great year for the Canucks and it’s all going to start here.”
The defending Pacific Division champions have brought training camp to communities across the province over the last several years, including Abbotsford, Courtenay, Duncan, Kamloops, Parksville, Powell River, Prince George, Vernon, Victoria, and Whistler.
B.C.'s club also held its training camp overseas once, doing so in Stockholm, Sweden in 2000.
The Canucks open their pre-season on Tuesday, Sept. 24, when they host the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Arena.
- with files from The Canadian Press
