Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - February 01, 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE B5 B5 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 winnipegfreepress. com NHL REPORT V ANCOUVER Canucks winger Radim Vrbata says the secret of being a quality linemate for the Sedin twins is knowing when to stay out of their way. " Sometimes they like to do their own stuff," Vrbata said. " You don't want to get involved because on their cycles they like to be left alone. They can take on three guys themselves and you just need to get open somewhere else." That strategy has served Vrbata well enough he is well on his way to registering his best season since 2011- 12 when he scored 35 goals. He has 19 goals in 44 games, earning him an all- star trip when Henrik and Daniel Sedin didn't make it. Vrbata, 33, is the top goal scorer of last season's free agent class, and he is in the conversation with the Nashville Predators' Mike Ribeiro and the Winnipeg Jets' Mathieu Perreault for the unofficial title of best forward free agent signing of 2014. Needing more offence, the Canucks gave Vrbata $ 10 million over two seasons. The big question was how well he would play outside Arizona. His free agent signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008 didn't work out and he was traded the following season back to the Coyotes, where he thrived again. Any concern has turned out to be misplaced because he is ahead of last season's pace in both goals and points. " This season is going even better than I thought," Vrbata said. " When I was in Phoenix, Marty Hanzal and I played against ( the Sedins) a lot. When you have to defend them, it's not much fun. It's a lot more fun to be on the other side of things." The search for a proper winger for the Sedins has always been a workin- progress. Alex Burrows has been successful there at times, but Vrbata's scoring knack has seemed a better fit. He says the Sedins' chemistry exceeds any connection he has witnessed in the hockey world. " Some of the plays they make have to be sixth- sense," Vrbata said. He points out linemates often develop good chemistry after a couple of seasons together, but the Sedins have been together their whole life. " For a half- season, I've seen them in certain situations on the ice where you would think a play would be impossible to make and they make it happen," Vrbata said. " It has to be something bigger than regular chemistry." Vrbata isn't sure exactly why he has worked as the Sedins' linemate, while others have failed. " Chemistry is a weird thing," he said. " It's just there or not... I just try to get lost and get open somewhere and if you do that, they will get the puck to you and you will have a scoring chance. During his career, Vrbata said he had always heard the Sedins were almost too good to be true as teammates. " They are great guys, even better than I thought or what I heard. They are humble people," he said. " When you go with a new team, you never know how it will go, but they have been helpful from day one." Once Vrbata had signed, the Sedins reached out to him to welcome him. " Maybe it doesn't seem like a big thing, but when you are with a new team, it's nice that they picked me up for the first couple of practices and took me around the city," he said. " Introducing you to staff. Little things, but it makes a huge difference." When named to the all- star game for the first time in his career, Vrbata said he was the beneficiary of the Sedins' wizardy. " They could have easily been ( named) instead of me," he said. " I don't think it was my game. They deserve a lot of credit." - USA Today Playing with Sedin twins easy Canucks all- star linemate Vrbata does best to stay out of their way By Kevin Allen JASON FRANSON / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Vancouver Canucks all- star Radim Vrbata celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers. ANAHEIM, Calif. - Two players throughout the 89- year history of the Blackhawks have made such indelible marks on the franchise they have statues standing outside of the United Center. One of them, Stan Mikita, was in the thoughts of everyone associated with the organization as the legendary player " is facing some serious health issues," according to a statement released by a family spokesman Friday and confirmed by his daughter, Jane. " Stan has been diagnosed with suspected Lewy body dementia, a progressive disease and is currently under the care of compassionate and understanding caregivers," the statement said. One of the most recognizable and endearing figures in Chicago sports, Mikita spent his entire 22- year professional career with the Hawks and along with fellow Hawks great Bobby Hull is immortalized with a statue outside the UC. Mikita, 74, is the franchise's all- time leading scorer with 1,467 points and is second in goals with 541. The Sokolce, Slovak Republic, native won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player in 1967 and 1968, and the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer in 1964, 1965, 1967 and 1968. Mikita also captured the Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play in 1967 and 1968. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983. " It's terribly unfortunate," captain Jonathan Toews said following the Hawks' morning skate Friday at the Honda Center. " He's a big part of this family and the history of what it means to be a Blackhawk. You don't feel the honour and privilege to play for the Hawks if it's not for people and players like Stan Mikita. " Long after his playing days he's still a humble, down- to- earth person who takes the time to talk to everybody. He found ways to make other people feel good about themselves and feel special. That says more about him than anything else. We all look up to him and what he accomplished for the game of hockey. Our thoughts are definitely with him and his family." Added winger Patrick Kane: " More than anything, it's just cool getting to know those guys a little bit. You read about them as a kid and watch different highlight clips of them when you're younger. To get the chance to meet those guys and hang out with them a little bit, and talk to them and become pretty close to them is better than any advice that you could recieve. Just knowing those guys is pretty unreal." Mikita's family has requested privacy, " during this difficult time." " A true Chicago sports icon, Stan has always felt that fans are first and foremost," the statement said. " The family of Stan Mikita truly appreciates the support he has received over the many years he has played, worked and lived in the Chicago area. They hope the fans will keep him in their thoughts and prayers." The Hawks organization released a statement saying, " We are aware of the unfortunate health news regarding Blackhawks Ambassador and Hockey Hall of Famer Stan Mikita. We are thinking of Stan and his family at this difficult time, and wish him well. Stan's family has asked for privacy, and we hope all will respect their wishes." In March of 2008, the Hawks honoured Mikita and Hull in a ceremony at the United Center, helping repair some difficult times with previous team management for both players. " I spent so many years proudly wearing the Indian head sweater, but tonight I'm even more proud to be welcomed back and be a part of the great moments that lie ahead for this great franchise," Mikita said on March 7, 2008. " Seeing some of my old teammates, this building packed to the rafters and being able to share this with my friends and my family is something surely I won't forget for a long, long time." - Chicago Tribune Blackhawks great Mikita in poor health By Chris Kuc BOB CHWEDYK / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita is introduced during a ceremony honouring some of the team's greats. a publication from the MIND MIND Call: 204- 697- 7001/ 1- 800- 542- 8900 Email: fpcirc@ freepress. mb. ca Online: winnipegfreepress/ subscribe- new/ SUBSCRIBETODAY! w/ MIND GAMES 45 Puzzles and games tochallengeyourmind includingmany made in Manitoba CROSSWORDS .. SODOKU .. WORDSLEUTH .. SCRABBLE KENKEN .. SODATU .. HIDATO .. BANANAGRAMSAND40MORE SEPTEMBER20, 2014 1 N U M BER $ 2.99 Includes Free delivery to your door every Friday The perfect addition to your Sunday! PUZZLE BOOK Diagnosed with progressive form of body dementia B_ 05_ Feb- 01- 15_ FP_ 01. indd B5 1/ 31/ 15 7: 19: 37 PM ;