By Canucks Fanz Columnist: Shaheed Devji
When I was a young hockey fan, you could have called me a nationalist. Growing up, my favorite players - outside of the Russian Rocket Pavel Bure - were all Canadian. Every year, I used to watch the IIHF Under-20 World Junior Tournament and each year Team Canada provided me with new favorite players to follow throughout the tournament and onwards through their junior careers, the entry draft, and into the NHL. Thanks in part to Don Cherry, it safe to say that I didn’t have any favorite players that were American born. In fact, I could go as far as saying that I went out of my way not to. 

I won’t argue that Don Cherry’s perspectives influenced my views of non-Canadian hockey players. But while over time the views of Don Cherry have remained largely the same, mine have changed. This change in perspective can be attributed to two things: 1) age and 2) the growing number of high-caliber American born players. This is not to say that while I was growing up there were not high-caliber US born players – there always has been – but my immaturity may have fogged my ability to notice them and now, my understanding of the game of hockey has cleared that fog.

My appreciation of American born players, which goes hand in hand with my appreciation for the game of hockey and the skills that many players possess, has been at its peak this season. The Vancouver Canucks have played in several very important games in which they have been sent a message by the stellar play of an American-born player. Whether it was Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars, arguably the most successful American hockey player, Minnesota’s Brian Rolston, or Chicago’s 18 year-old Patrick Kane, the Canucks have felt the effect of playing against superstar American players.

Modano, Rolston and Kane are just a few examples of the development of the U.S. hockey program over time. This past summer at the NHL entry draft was another indication. For the first time in the history of the draft, American-born players (Kane and James Van Riemsdyk) were taken first and second overall. But nothing or no one has opened my eyes more, when it comes to the increasing skill level of players that don the stars and stripes, than the play of Canucks centre Ryan Kesler.

Kesler, a first-round draft pick of the Canucks in 2003, has been coveted by the Canucks brass from before he even put on the Canucks jersey. His size, speed and all-round skill has seen him highly praised and being given heavy responsibility. The weight on his shoulders became significantly heavier when, then Philadelphia Flyers general manager, Bobby Clarke sent Kesler and the Canucks an offer sheet which forced the Canucks hand to sign Kesler for over 1-million dollars a season: a number at the time was viewed as too high.

The season after Kesler was signed to the proverbial overpaid contract, he had been expected to provide both offense and defense at a second-line centre level. This may have been a lot to ask of a young player with high expectations just thrust upon him. And in the way Kesler was playing and interacting with the media, Kesler seemed to have been affected by these expectations. He had put the pressure on himself and this could be the reason that Kesler did not meet those expectations. What he did do during that time was establish himself as a very capable defensive centre that was able to centre a checking line that could hold any team’s first line in tact. Not bad for a million dollars right?

This season, on top of starting off the year as the team’s checking centre, Kesler seemed to have adopted a new outlook on his play. From the outset of training camp, Kesler seemed to be more light-hearted about his role, which translated into him having more confidence in his ability. That confidence has manifested in his play throughout the season. Kesler, along with super-pest linemate Alex Burrows, has been a part of a checking line that which has made the Canucks an extremely annoying defensive team to play against. What is different from last season, however, is that Kesler has provided the offensive output that had been expected of him from day one, the offense that he had failed to meet as yet.

At only 23 years old, the Livonia, Michigan native, Kesler has become an integral part of a Canucks team that prides itself of defense, speed and character: three essential characteristics of Kesler’s play. It is safe to say that without him, the Canucks would not be in the position that they are today. Kesler has set a career-high in goals and undoubtedly in minutes played. Without him, the Canucks would not be able to play the type of defensive game that they do. Without fail, Kesler has the ability to get under the skin of the opposing team’s best players while holding them off the score sheet and limiting their scoring chances. At the same time, Kesler has provided important goals at important times. On top of the defense and offense are his abilities to provide the intangibles. Kesler, on countless occasions, has provided his team with an invaluable boost of energy by engaging in a fight with another team’s tough guy or superstar, by throwing a big hit, or by flying up the ice with the puck at to speed, weaving through all players that got in his way.

With all this having taken place, Kesler’s name is quite obviously on the scouting sheet of all NHL teams, and in any trade that the Canucks attempt to make, Kesler will most definitely be sought after. That being said, Kesler’s name should not only be brought in trade talks, but when it comes to discussing candidates for this year’s Selke award winner and it should be the name that withstands these discussions. The Frank J. Selke trophy is awarded to the NHL’s best defensive forwards during the regular season. This forward need not only provide exemplary defensive play, but must do so while providing offense. There is no one that could argue that Ryan Kesler has done this. In fact, Kesler, over any other NHL forward this season, has epitomized what a Selke award winner should be.

Ryan Kesler, more than any other player in the time that I have been a hockey fan, has made me appreciate what kind of play that I would like to see from a hockey player. His conviction, effort, and ability provide a balance of offensive and defensive skills combined with sheer grit and determination, and in turn make any team lucky to have him and any hockey fan lucky to call him their favorite player.

Discuss it here!

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