Towering prospect winger Vilmer Alriksson, who signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday before being returned to Guelph Storm of the OHL, had already moved the applause meter. He went one better Tuesday at Rogers Arena in a memorable 3-1 preseason victory over the Seattle Kraken.
At 6-foot-6, the left winger should be an imposing presence in the often tepid NHL pre-season pace, even at age 19. It’s why Rick Tocchet challenged the big Swede to not be a bystander and get involved. And Alriksson did something that resonated with the Canucks head coach.
After laying out Logan Morrison with a heavy first-period check, and wisely avoiding a challenge from the hulking Jamie Oleksiak, he accepted one from the 29-year-old Josh Hayden and held his own against the seasoned scrapper.