The Week That Was

Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced that the Canucks have signed 28 year old Blair Jones to a one-year deal.

Jones who plays centre split the 2014-15 season between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League.

He played four games with the Flyers and collected 21 points (9-12-21) and 46 penalty minutes in 33 games with the Phantoms.

The Central Butte, Saskatchewan native has appeared in 132 career NHL games, recording 17 points (7-10-17) and 65 penalty minutes with Tampa Bay, Calgary Flames and Philadelphia.

The 6’2”, 216 pound centre was originally drafted in the fourth round, 102nd overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by Tampa Bay.

Front Office Changes

The club has relieved Vice President, Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager, Laurence Gilman, Assistant General Manager, Lorne Henning and Director, Player Personnel, Eric Crawford of their duties.

Linden stated “On behalf of our entire organization I would like to sincerely thank Laurence, Lorne and Eric for their commitment and dedication to the Vancouver Canucks.”

He continued “They have been important members of our staff for a long time and made significant contributions to the success of this team. Further still, they are great people and respected members of the hockey community.”

“We have made some difficult decisions to our roster and staff recently after a thorough review of the team,” continued Linden. “These are not easy decisions, nor were they taken lightly. But they’re important as we transition this team and build for the future.”

The club has acquired forward Brandon Prust from Montreal in exchange for Zack Kassian and a fifth round pick in 2016.

Prust (31) notched 18 points (4-14-18) and 134 penalty minutes in 82 games with the Montreal Canadiens in 2014.15. He ranked first on the Canadiens and was sixth in the NHL with 134 penalty minutes.

Prust recorded 78 shots on goal, 122 hits and 34 blocked shots, with an average of 12:57 of ice time per game.

The left winger also tallied four points (1-3-4) and 35 penalty minutes for Montreal during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Since his debut in 2006.07, Prust has recorded 108 points (39-69-108) and 977 penalty minutes in 451 NHL regular season games.

A native of London, Ontario, Prust was the Calgary Flames’ second pick (third round, 70th overall) at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Prior to joining the Canucks, Prust had played with the Canadiens, Rangers, Flames, and Coyotes during his NHL career.

In addition they announced the signing of goaltender Richard Bachman to a two-year deal.

Bachman played the majority of last season with the Oklahoma City Barons in the American Hockey League, finishing with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage in 23 games.

He also played in seven games for the Edmonton Oilers, posting 2.84 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.

The 27-year-old American goaltender has played in 42 career NHL games (Edmonton and Dallas) and has a record of 17-14-2.

Bachman was originally selected by the Dallas Stars in the fourth round, 120th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

In addition they signed defenceman Matt Bartkowski to a one-year deal.

Bartkowski (27) spent the 2014-15 season with the Boston Bruins, collecting four assists and 37 penalty minutes in 47 games.

He has appeared in 131 career games with Boston, recording 24 assists and 77 penalty minutes.

The Pittsburgh, PA native was originally selected in the seventh round, 190th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

They have also re-signed defenceman Yannick Weber to a one-year deal.

Weber (26) played 65 games for the Canucks (last season) leading defencemen in goals with 11 and was third in points (11-10-21) and also tied for first in PP goals for D-men with five.

The 5’11”, 200-pound defenceman has appeared in 229 career NHL games, recording 63 points (22-41-63) with the Canucks and Montreal Canadiens.

He has also registered four points (3-1-4) in 12 career playoff games. Weber was originally selected in the third round, 73^rd overall of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by Montreal.

Thanks to the Canucks media relations department for the info.