Canucks For Kids

In hopes of either pleasing the public or setting sights on the future for the Canucks General Manager Jim Benning officially announced that the Canucks have signed defenceman Nikita Tryamkin to a two-year entry-level contract.

Tryamkin (21) 6’8″ – 220 pound defenceman played in 53 games for the Yekaterinburg Automobilis of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) this season, where he managed career-highs in goals (4), assists (7), points (11) along with 71 PIM’s.

He also tallied an assist and four penalty minutes in six playoff games and in 188 regular season games over four seasons with Yekaterinburg, Tryamkin has registered 28 points (9-19-28) along with 158 penalty minutes.

On the international stage, Tryamkin registered three points (1-2-3) and finished with a +5 rating to help Russia capture a bronze medal at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championships.

A native of Yekaterinburg, Russia, Tryamkin was the Vancouver Canucks’ fourth pick (third round, 66th overall) at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

The Canucks for Kids Fund has made a significant donation of $1 million to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation to support the creation of a Canucks-themed playroom in the new Teck Acute Care Centre (Teck ACC) opening in 2017.

The playroom is designed in tribute to the Vancouver Canucks and will serve some of the hospital’s most critically ill and medically complex patients and families.

It is being constructed on the seventh floor of the Teck ACC, in the heart of the new BC Children’s Hospital.

In addition to the playroom, the $1 million donation from the Canucks for Kids Fund (CFKF) will also support child and youth mental health initiatives, and programs within the hospital’s Child Life department.

Paolo Aquilini, President of the Canucks for Kids Fund stated “Our goal is to help as many children and families as possible in BC each year, so we are very grateful for the opportunity to extend our long-standing relationship with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.”

He continued “On behalf of our players, coaches, management and fans all over BC, we hope the new playroom will provide a happy escape from daily treatments and the supporting mental health programming will improve the lives of children for years to come.”

“The important work of the Canucks for Kids Fund is deeply woven into the fabric of our hospital and in our community. We are immensely grateful for this extraordinary commitment,” said Teri Nicholas, president and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“The new playroom will benefit so many children and families and most importantly, provide them with a space removed from medical treatment and enjoy the healing benefits of play.”

The CFKF share a longstanding partnership with BC Children’s Hospital. They have funded childhood diabetes research, urgently needed equipment, and various mental health initiatives – as well as provided the hospital with substantial in-kind and promotional support.

Players, coaches, and staff make regular visits to the hospital, bringing smiles to hundreds of patients and their families.

Say what you want about the Canucks, but they are heavily involved in the community and for that they deserve a huge “Thanks”.

Press release from Vancouver Canucks media department