- Alex Edler is joining the Canucks in a player development role, working with prospects across the organization
- GM Ryan Johnson said the feedback from Edler’s work at this month’s development camp was excellent
- Read below for Edler’s franchise history and the 2011 core reuniting in Vancouver
Alex Edler is a Canuck again.
Vancouver announced Thursday that the veteran defenseman is joining its player development department, working closely with prospects throughout the organization. This is not a comeback. Edler will teach, not play.
General manager Ryan Johnson talked about what the 40-year-old brings to the group.
“Alex knows first-hand what it means to be a Vancouver Canuck,” Johnson said. “His past experience in the NHL will really help in our players development, he understands the demands of what it takes to be a good pro both on and off the ice, while his skill set and communication will be a big plus when it comes to coaching and mentoring our prospects.”
Johnson pointed to Edler’s hands-on work at the club’s development camp in Abbotsford earlier this month, saying the feedback the team got was excellent.
Watch Edler talk shop alongside fellow development staffers Mikael Samuelsson and Jenn Gardiner after a camp session:
The hire reunites more of the old guard. Daniel and Henrik Sedin, now running hockey operations, pulled their former teammate back into the building. Edler becomes the fifth member of the 2011 Cup Final roster working inside the organization, joining the twins, AHL head coach Manny Malhotra and development coach Samuelsson.
The Sedins have spent the summer restocking the room with people who know the place, from Malhotra’s coaching staff to this.
Edler spent parts of 17 NHL seasons as a player, 15 of them in Vancouver after the Canucks took him 91st overall in 2004. He skated in 1,030 career games between the Canucks and Kings, putting up 438 points and 733 penalty minutes, plus 40 points in 93 playoff games.
No defenseman has played more games or scored more goals in franchise history. Now that name goes back on the org chart, this time in a suit.
The plan is simple for a front office chasing its old identity. Put the people who built the last great Canucks team in charge of building the next one.
