CANUCKS CUT EIGHT

The Canucks trimmed down their pre-season roster by eight players today bringing the player total down to 29.

The following players have been released:

Nolan Baumgartner                  Defence
Alexandre Bolduc                      Centre
Mario Bliznak                              Centre
Guillame Desbiens                   Right Wing
Michael Grabner                         Right Wing
Nathan McIver                             Defence
Matt Pope                                     Right wing
Cory Schneider                           Goaltender

All eight players have been assigned to the Manitoba Moose.

HANSEN DROPS THE GLOVES

Twenty-three-year-old Denmark native, Jannik Hansen injured his right hand Sunday night against the Oilers after dropping the gloves with Gilbert Brule.

"It's very swollen,” said right-winger Hansen. “I'm not quite sure how bad it is."

"It will be re-evaluated tomorrow," said head coach Alain Vigneault. "First look, doesn't look good, but we'll see tomorrow. He's one of the toughest Danes I've seen. It's not the first time he has fought. In this game, you've got to stand up for yourself every now and then."

Hansen is expected to be out from 4-6 weeks with a broken hand, as reported by Vancouver Sun columnist Iain MacIntyre.

Hansen potted six goals and 15 assists in 55 games (6-15-55) last season with the Canucks.

SHIROKOV AIMS FOR A ROSTER SPOT

Rounding out the pre-season with seven wins and two OT losses (7-0-2), the Canucks now gear up for the start of the regular season. However, with 29 players still attached the Canucks have some big decisions to make before the season opener Oct 1 in Calgary.

Sixth round draft pick, Sergei Shirokov impressed the coaching staff with a stellar pre-season, leading pre-season team scoring, despite suffering a mild knee sprain. Full of potential and talent, 23-year-old Shirokov is hoping for a spot on this season’s 23 man roster.

"I thought he played extremely well," said head coach Alain Vigneault on Shirokov’s performance Sunday night.

"You can see a very confident, highly skilled young man who is probably really close to the NHL. He probably played himself pretty close to being on the team."

Shirokov notched two goals and five assists (2-5-7) in four games this pre-season.

Coming off a back injury, 19-year-old Cody Hodgson is hoping his pre-season performance is strong enough to claim him a spot.

"I have no regrets. I did the best I could," said Hodgson. "I'm just grateful I had the opportunity to play here, to have the tryout.”