Hanging out with the Canucks

Imagine that one morning you are told you get to not only meet the Vancouver Canucks, but also play Nintendo Wii, hang out, and eat dinner with them the next evening for charity? Imagine that happening to a girl who has been a hardcore Canucks fan since 1989, who was there at the games in the '94 playoff run, who still to this day loves her team very much despite all the heartaches. Well, it happened to me. (heads up - this is going to be a long post).

Through the kindness of others, I attended the Sports Celebrity for Charity Gala supported by the Canucks that raises money for the Special Olympics. It's truly a wonderful event where you get to interact with the players, bid on an auction, and then break bread with some amazing athletes. An incredibly worthy cause, and the Canucks organization is commended for supporting it. A big hand should go to the players too who show up with such enthusiasm and spend much of the day with a special needs child. This year, my (former) crush Mason Raymond was the spokesperson.

My first thought was, what do I wear?? I pulled out my Herve Leger bandage dress, boyfriend jacket, and some sky-high platform booties. Classic quilted Chanel bag on my arm.

And from my pictures, you can see the Chanel wasn't the only piece of arm candy I had ;). My friend Kat (@KatArnett) said it was just like Hump Day Hunks, but in real life!

Below: It's Peanut Butter Burrows time!! Really happy Alex is back in the lineup, and even more happy he's standing here with me

The evening started off with some Wii-ing (is that a word?) with Mason and Jeff Tambellini. Mase and Jeff were both really sweet.

Above: Mason and I after our game of Wii

Below: Jeff Tambellini playing Wii Archery with intensity

I got my official pictures taken with Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa, then Henrik and his two trophies, and finally with Lu and Mase. I apologize I don't have these pictures scanned yet but I'll do another post with them. Ryan was a lot of fun to be around - I tried to convince him to get teammate Alex Burrows on Twitter but with no success.

One of the funnest things I did was play table hockey against Swedish defenseman Alex Edler. I was worried that I would suck, but then I ended up beating him. I couldn't stop smiling. =)

Below: I love how Alex is smiling here!


Below: This is definitely my fave picture, with Alex Edler

For dinner, the celebrity guest at our table was Peter Schaefer. He was really funny and had lots of entertaining stories to tell. I have some funny group pictures of our table with Peter and Raffi Torres.

One of my highlights of the night was getting to know Danish forward Jannick Hansen a little more. I really enjoyed our conversation, and I really hope he flourishes this year on the third line because he really deserves it.

Below: Really glad I got this picture with Ryan at the end of the night

Below: Ryan Kesler

Below: BC native Dan Hamhuis

Not pictured here but I also met Sami Salo and Alex Bolduc. Sami looked good and I tried my best not to unintentionally hurt him.

All in all, it was an incredible night, and I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to attend.

Hump Day Hunks: World Cup Bonanza Edition

It's been too long since I've posted, and what better way to get back into the swing of things with another installment of Hump Day Hunks. This time I'm holding nothing back, and I've put together some of the best looking World Cup footballing chaps for your Wednesday viewing pleasure. Included in his 2nd feature on Hump Day Hunks is French cutie Yoann Gourcuff, who must be sobbing in disbelief after he was tossed out of the crucial France-South Africa game which led to France's exit. Poor Yoann, I'm sure there'll be girls a plenty for you to take comfort in.

Above and below: Yoanne Gourcuff, who was apparently quite the target amongst his own French team due to what some say was jealousy.

England too might find they have a couple of sexy sulkers in Frank Lampard and Steven Garrard if the Three Lions fail to advance to the next round.

Steven Gerrard...grrr...

A couple of Team USA hotties will be fairly happy if they can beat Algeria in their next game.

Above: Benny Feilhaber of Team USA
Below: Oguchi Onyewu of Team USA

I know nothing really about Australia football but that's doesn't stop me from crushing on Aussie Harry Kewell. Nice tats, Harry.


Hope you're all enjoying the World Cup as much as I am. LOL.

Like your ballers? See also
Hump Day Hunks: Italian Edition World Cup
Hump Day Hunks: Football Edition

Hump Day Hunks: Football Edition

Football. Aka soccer in North America. The sport that gave us Becks, Henry, Iker, and Ronaldo. With World Cup of Soccer fast approaching, we naturally turn our attention towards South Africa for inspiration. Ladies, I present to you Hump Day Hunks: Football Edition!

Above and Below: Yoann Gourcuff of Bordeaux, France. According to France Travel Guide, he loves to "strip at games and run around in his underwear".

I've got to say that I've got a major crush on Brazilian Kaká; he'll be the player my eyes will be on during the World Cup. Apparently Armani agrees because he's the star of many of their ads. RAWR...



I found this hunk, Lukas Podolski, on a top 10 hottest soccer players list. He seems to like celebrating without his shirt. Good on ya, Lukas, good on ya.


OMS = Oh My Sweden. Freddie Ljungberg in one of many, many Calvin Klein ads. With all due respect to all the hot Swedish hockey players who have played on my Canucks (Matty Ohlund, Alex Edler), I think Freddie takes top honours.

There's just something incredibly foxy about France's Thierry Henry. And the man knows how to dress.

And lastly, Vanity Fair sent Annie Leibovitz to shoot some of the world's most gorgeous footballers, and they've kindly released this behind-the-scenes video for your Wednesday viewing pleasure. Make sure you watch til the end as the boys do some amazing things with their balls...



Now I know I don't have any Italians in this group today but that's because they deserve a whole edition all to themselves. Watch for them to come...

Hump Day Hunks: Sweet 16 Edition

It was Spring 1994. Vancouver Canucks magic was in the air as our team headed for the Stanley Cup playoffs final. Our team had done the impossible, playing the underdog and beating out all other teams in the Western Conference. I remember being at the series clinching Game 5 that put us into the finals - oh how sweet it was. And there was none sweeter than #16, captain of the Canucks, Trevor Linden.

I owe this Hump Day Hunks Sweet 16 edition to my good friend Melissa. I promised to do it for Trevor's birthday (a couple of weeks ago) but I was away so didn't get to it. She is his biggest fan. EVER. She still sleeps in a Linden night shirt, even after all these years. Even as his boyish cute looks have been chiseled away to a bearded, rugged handsomeness. He came to this city a boy, and we watched him grow into a man.

We used to see Trevor and current Canucks captain Roberto Luongo nearly every week at a sandwich shop the last year of Trevor's career. They would often say hello, smile at us, or say goodbye. One time I almost collided right into him with my pile of forks, straws, and napkins. I'm sure I would have been knocked down and out of breath, and I just about died of embarrassment.

Trevor's come a long way since donning this Canadian tuxedo. From the times I've seen him in person, I can say he's one of the best dressed Canucks. Slim cut cardigans and sweaters, dress shirts, or designer track jackets. His jeans fit him really nicely too =D.


So, as the Canucks play tonight against the LA Kings in a pivotal game, let us find inspiration from our Hump Day Hunk. Trevor's given us his heart and soul and let's hope the current Canucks can also find that in themselves tonight. GO CANUCKS GO!!!

ps - can you believe what a baby Henrik Sedin looks like here?

Hump Day Hunks is Back! Chef's Edition

A few of you have been asking for your Hump Day Hunks - I'm so sorry to make you wait! And this week, I must say it's a delicious assortment. It's often said a way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and I think that goes for the ladies as well! As suggested by foodie Teresa at Senses and Style, I present to you Hump Day Hunks: Chefs Edition.

Montreal chef Chuck Hughes, star of Food Network's Chuck's Day Off, is just oozing Hump Day hotness. Look at those tats and his confident smile! Yummy.

I must say, I never thought I would have put our next Hunk on this list. From what I remember of him on the show The Main, he was a somewhat chubby guy. When I found out he had slimmed down his physique and toughened up that baby face with some man-whiskers, I changed my mind promptly. Unfortunately, he's recently left the newly opened Corner Suite Bistro, so no chances for you ladies to spot (or stalk) him there.

Erin of Haus of Hybrid hasn't always agreed with me on my Hump Day choices (see what she had to say on my NHL Hunks edition), so this one's for her. Italian stallion David Rocco charms us with his easy going style while cooking up any girl's culinary fantasy.

Our next hottie is a personal favourite - there's just something so wholesomely sexy about David Lieberman. He seems so clean cut, nice, and a bit goofy; makes you wonder if he can get a little dirty (while cooking - what were you thinking?). Admittedly, his food doesn't look the best, but who cares?

Of course, I have to pay homage to the original chef cutie, Jamie. Yes, you've gained a few pounds since you first burst onto the cooking scene with your bashed-up mint and pukka pineapple. But your heroic efforts to make humanity eat more decently and your schoolboy charm still do it for me.

Got some Hunk Day ideas? Tell me about it! The research is the best part.

Hump Day Hunks: 2010 Olympic Games Edition II

Happy Hump Day Hunks! We're into Week 2 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games and there's no stopping the Olympic fever that has gripped the city. For your viewing pleasure, I have a more international flavour in today's Olympic edition. If you missed the first Olympic edition Hump Day Hunks or you just want a refresher, check it out here.

Above: French hottie Simon Fourcade, Biathlon

Above: Sven Kramer of The Netherlands, Speed skating

Above: Dario Cologna of Switzerland, Cross-country skiing

Above: Errol Kerr of Jamaica, freestyle skiing

Hump Day Hunks: 2010 Olympic Games Edition

Happy Hump Day! Vancouver is filling up with athletes, spectators and media in time for the 2010 Olympic games. Along with that, of course, are hunks of all nationalities. Hunks of the tall and muscular variety. Accents a possibility. With less than 2 days to go, I present to you Hump Day Hunks: 2010 Olympic Games Edition.

Chatelaine Magazine is steaming things up with this photo shoot of Canadian Olympians posing with strategically placed equipment. I should not be so surprised there were quite a few freestyle skiers and french Canadian boys featured - remember mogul freestyler, Jean-Luc Brassard? See the rest of the photos here.

Above: Jean Phillippe Le Guellec, biathlon, Quebec City

Below: Vincent Marquis, freestyle skiing, Quebec City

Below: Steve Omischl, freestyle skiing, North Bay, Ontario

For a more wholesome image, I found Sean Crooks, cross-country skier. Yes, cross-country. Sounds kinda boring but nevertheless cute.

I am being a bit biased by showing way more Canadians than anyone else, but I haven't forgotten about our neighbour to the south. I already featured a couple of American hockey hotties on HDH before, and for someone new, here's the saucy Bode Miller of the USA Alpine Ski Team.

Mizz J at Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy made me laugh when she said, "There be tall, blonde, Swedes out there!". So she was my inspiration for this next hunk, Mattias Ohlund of the Swedish national hockey team. He also played in Vancouver for a little team called the Canucks for over 10 years.

For good measure, see also the list of the world's best/worst lovers here.

I'm quite flattered that my friend at VancityBuzz was inspired to start his own version of Hump Day Hotties featuring lovely ladies. He's also got a plethora of Vancouver Olympic related posts so check it out. I'll also be doing some posts over the next couple of weeks about the winter games for whatever free events I will check out, so stay tuned!

Hump Day Hunks: NHL Edition

Happy Hump Day Hunks! I got Hump Day started early this weekend, when I met, for the second time, the Hunk (and my crush) that started this all: Mason Raymond. He was doing an autograph signing, and when I found out, I rushed down with my Canucks jersey. The highlight was when i was chatting with him, he actually remembered meeting me last year. I've been swooning for a few days!

Above: How I met Mason Raymond (again).

Since you've been waiting for this, so I've created an extra long post with some of the finest looking specimens from the NHL. Without further delay I present to you Hump Day Hunks - NHL Edition.

No list of the NHL's hottest hockey players can exist without this man, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The youngest man to ever captain a team to a Stanley Cup, this hottie will also lead Team Canada to 2010 Olympic glory.

Vancouver ladies are still pining for Blue Eyes Taylor Pyatt who used to play for our home team. Luckily he plays for Phoenix which means us westcoast girls can fawn all over him when he rolls into town to play.

I didn't know who this cutie was but he showed up on some list of the hottest hockey players. Thank Google for Rick DiPietro, goalie for the NY Islanders.


It's a shame goalies wear full face masks, especially since so many of them are blessed in the looks department. Our next hunk, Swede Henrik Lundqvist of the NY Rangers, may wear a mask but we know what's smouldering underneath.


He looks like a baby JT - it's Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks. I have such a soft spot for him, even though his Hawks are big rivals to my Canucks.

This next hunk played for my Canucks, and I didn't even know that until some friends of mine met him at a team charity function and their jaws dropped to the floor. Rob Davison, now of the San Jose Sharks,may not get much ice-time, but he gets plenty of attention on Hump Day Hunks.

We all love a man who can rock a suit, and I say Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils shows us how it's done.


Hump Day Hunks will be back in two weeks time, just in time for the start of the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympic Winter Games! How do we celebrate that? With a special Olympic edition of course! Submit your suggestions for 2010 Olympic hotties now!