On Sunday, Vancouver Canucks rookie forwards Jared McCann and Jake Virtanen were informed that they are not being returned to their junior clubs and will instead stick with the NHL club this year.
The team decided to have a little fun at the expense of the young guys as they told them though.
The team ripped them apart in a video session, pretty viciously according to the team, before informing them that they’re sticking with the club.
The story was relayed via Twitter:
In a video meeting this morning, coach Desjardins played bad clips of Virtanen and McCann. A lot of them. Then Horvat stood up and said:
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) November 1, 2015
"WELCOME TO THE TEAM BOYS!!"
It's official: @Jake_Virtanen & @jaredmccann19 are #Canucks. pic.twitter.com/HGxZFmp5FQ
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) November 1, 2015
"They were ripping me so hard, I almost started to cry. Then Horvat said we made the team. It was a special moment" – McCann #Canucks
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) November 1, 2015
"All the guys were yelling at us, Burr was giving it to us good. We went from feeling low to great in a second!" – Virtanen #Canucks
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) November 1, 2015
"It was baaaaaad, they were getting carved. I was like 'they are so gone'" – Markstrom, laughing. #Canucks
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) November 1, 2015
Both rookies have been solid for a surprisingly strong Canucks team this season. McCann has scored five goals through the first nine games of the season. Virtanen hasn’t been as productive offensively, putting in just two assists through eight games, but has been a physical force regularly for the team. Just ask Valeri Nichushkin.
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Dustin Nelson is the News Editor for The Hockey Writers. He’s a contributor to Hockey Prospectus, Hockey Wilderness, and writes a column for Rotowire. He’s also written for Gone Puck Wild, Wild Xtra, InDigest, Electric Literature, The Rumpus, Tiny Mix Tapes, Prefix Magazine & other publications. Have a tip? Email him at dlukenelson[at]gmail[dot]com.
