Ray of Hope

“Great wheels, wicked wrister and hard slapper unleashed at high speed. Always around the puck. A budding Joe Sakic?”

That’s exactly how Province columnist Ben Kuzma described Vancouver Canucks’ prospect Mason Raymond.

The 21-year-old has the best shot at making the team out of training camp and filling in the winger position besides Morrison and Naslund. But many are asking, who is this kid?

Drafted 51st overall by Vancouver in 2005, Raymond scored 46 points in 39 games last season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He also played 11 games with the Manitoba Moose where he tallied four points. A combination of speed, skill and incredible stick work has boosted this player’s value way up.

Offensive talent is exactly what the Canucks are currently seeking and it looks like Raymond has the ability to provide that. With Naslund and Morrison committed to step up their game, it just might help the young prospect gel with these two veterans.

With Vancouver’s poor history of drafting, maybe this Calgary native can finally be the light in this Northwest team’s future.

He’s gotten past the Prospect Training Camp, the next step is the Main Training camp. Hopefully Raymond can deliver the much needed flare in Vancouver’s attack.

I can’t wait.

Hosea C