Post by DanCan on May 10, 2004 17:30:45 GMT -5
Just an interesting small note on Vancouver Canucks' new GM, Dave Nonis.
Did you know that Dave Nonis spend his entire professional career as a player in Denmark? He did, though his career was short.
After playing for University of Maine in NCAA, Dave Nonis went to Denmark to play for Aalborg (AAB) in the Danish hockey league. Nonis played one year for AAB (about 15 years ago) producing 2 goals and 10 assists.
His career lasted for only for one year. The 23 year old then went back to University of Maine where he took a MBA degree while being an assistent coach for the University's hockey team.
After undertaking several jobs for Vancouver Canucks, he was later hired by the NHL as manager of hockey operations. Serving this function, he participated in the drafting of the infamous Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which expires this summer.
In 1998, Nonis returned to Canucks as senior vice president and director of hockey operations (a task which involved player negotiations and more). The rest is history so to speak...
Another interesting note: Nonis went to University of Maine a year after Todd Björkstrand had left the University as the hockey team's top goal scorer and MVP. That was back in 1983/84. Todd Björkstrand also went to Denmark and became the most influentual foreign hockey player in Danish hockey history. Björkstrand has been very influential in leading Danish hockey to where it is today.
And a final note: One of Björkstrand's team mates at University of Maine was Eric Weinrich who has played 9 times (incl. this year) for Team USA in the World Championships ( a record). By coincidence, Eric's younger brother, Alexander also plays in the Danish hockey elite series (for Odense). Björkstrand is now coaching Herning Bluefox.
Did you know that Dave Nonis spend his entire professional career as a player in Denmark? He did, though his career was short.
After playing for University of Maine in NCAA, Dave Nonis went to Denmark to play for Aalborg (AAB) in the Danish hockey league. Nonis played one year for AAB (about 15 years ago) producing 2 goals and 10 assists.
His career lasted for only for one year. The 23 year old then went back to University of Maine where he took a MBA degree while being an assistent coach for the University's hockey team.
After undertaking several jobs for Vancouver Canucks, he was later hired by the NHL as manager of hockey operations. Serving this function, he participated in the drafting of the infamous Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which expires this summer.
In 1998, Nonis returned to Canucks as senior vice president and director of hockey operations (a task which involved player negotiations and more). The rest is history so to speak...
Another interesting note: Nonis went to University of Maine a year after Todd Björkstrand had left the University as the hockey team's top goal scorer and MVP. That was back in 1983/84. Todd Björkstrand also went to Denmark and became the most influentual foreign hockey player in Danish hockey history. Björkstrand has been very influential in leading Danish hockey to where it is today.
And a final note: One of Björkstrand's team mates at University of Maine was Eric Weinrich who has played 9 times (incl. this year) for Team USA in the World Championships ( a record). By coincidence, Eric's younger brother, Alexander also plays in the Danish hockey elite series (for Odense). Björkstrand is now coaching Herning Bluefox.