Offside with Alex Edler
Thursday, 18.12.2008 / 12:00 PM
/ Features
Vancouver Canucks
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Last year Alex Edler got the nod to participate in the NHL Youngstars game, which featured the League's best young players and that showed the rest of the hockey world what Vancouver already knew about the 22 year-old Swede. Edler played the most games of all Canucks defencemen in 2007-08 and is averaging over 21 minutes this year. He currently has two goals and 10 assists in 29 games, good for second in scoring amongst the Canucks blueline. His on-ice accomplishments are something to talk about but what do you know about the other side of Edler? Go Offside with Alex Edler and find out. What is the first job you’ve had? I worked at a hockey school in my hometown. I would help the teachers take care of the kids. There are the different age groups and we were like a leader of a group for a week at a time. I was maybe 16 or 17 at the time. What’s the traditional Swedish Christmas dinner? There’s no turkey in Sweden. It’s really traditional what we do over there, which is tons of different food like a big Christmas ham – I guess that’s like the turkey here. In our family we just have a lot of family together to eat and just being together with family is the main thing.  What is the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? I remember when I was young, I got a, what do you call that... a sled with wheels, what’s that called? O’Brien nearby answers: Oh, with a steering wheel? A GT? Okay, yeah that. I remember that was one of the better gifts – I think I was maybe four or five... Bugs me when my parents... Right now there’s nothing that bugs me but when I was younger it was when they used to tell what to do an what not to do. If the team participated on Survivor, who would win? Maybe... one of the Swedes. We’ll probably stick together and get the other guys out. And maybe my partner (Shane O’Brien) will be with us too, I can’t kick him off. What is the most memorable thing a coach has said to you? When I was younger and a coach saw some potential in me and told me you can be a really good player. That’s a nice thing to hear.  What question do you always get asked?Are you awake? Editor's note: this wasn't actually too surprising to us, just watch this feature with Kristin Reid from last season and you'll see. What’s the story behind your number? I didn’t choose it – the trainers chose it for me in my first year. I think – I’m not too sure but I think it was because Thomas Gradin had 23. I think that’s why. When I was younger I had 24 but I’ve had 5, 2, 3 so many. It’s hard to keep one number when you go from team to team. Editor's note: other players to wear number 23 were: Murray Baron, Marc Bergevin, Sean Brown, Neil Eisenhut, Martin Gelinas, Martin Grenier, Murray Hall, Dan Hodgson, Bryan McCabe, Gerry O'Flaherty, Paul Reinhart, Garry Valk, Dan Woodley. What’s the most embarrassing thing to happen to you on ice? I remember tournament when I was younger in the first game, I stepped on the ice with my skating guards on. My teammates probably laughed at me but I was embarrassed. |
   Emerging from Shadows Rook-ies Check Mate Making His Point Alex Edler the Great King of the RinkThe Early Bird    Highlights Edler in NYC Making a Point The Ice Man Time out  |
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