(Vancouver) Arshdeep Bains called his promotion from the American League to the Vancouver Canucks’ second line in the National Hockey League as “pretty special.”
Bains, a native of Surrey, British Columbia, was called up by the Canucks last week and made his Bettman Tour debut Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. He was also in uniform against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.
“It was pretty special to play my first two games,” he said after practice Friday. I’m still thinking about it now. »
Bains discussed the impact playing with Brock Boeser and J. T. Miller has had on him thus far.
“They helped me see another side of the game, in a way. I think I was able to learn how they move on the ice, learn from them. »
The 23-year-old forward was one of the last players to leave the ice Friday, so Noah Juulsen — with whom he carpools — was preparing to leave without him.
Playing for his childhood team is already special, but the moment was magnified on Tuesday at the Ball Arena by the presence of his father Kuldip in the stands to watch his first match.
“He’s obviously the reason I play hockey, so him being there was nice,” said Bains, who played 13:21 and 12:57 against the Avalanche and Kraken.
PHOTO JOHN FROSCHAUER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Arshdeep Bains
“It was good for me to play my first two games against competitive teams,” he added.
The rookie is having a productive season with the Abbotsford farm club. He scored nine goals and totaled 39 points in 42 games.
Before making the jump to the pros last season, Bains played five seasons with the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Junior Hockey League (WHL). He totaled 77 goals and 209 points.
He also spent a year with the Delta Hockey Academy, run by Ian Gallagher — Brendan Gallagher’s father.
“Arshdeep was always in love with talent and he has a very good foundation in that regard,” said Ian Gallagher.
“The Canucks are a very good team and the fact that he earned this opportunity on their roster is impressive. »