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: 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?

Hot for Hockey: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Style

A dream came true last night when I attended my first ever Winter Olympics mens hockey game. Not just any old hockey game, but for my home team: CANADA! Being the boys' first game in the tournament, I wanted to look my best decked out in our nation's colour, red.

Apologies for these photos not being the most creative but it was hard trying to get style shots in a line up of several thousand!

I broke my own rules from my piece on What Does One Wear to the Hockey Game (no skirts) as I pulled out a high-waisted, grey bandage number for the occasion. Rules are meant for breaking, right??

When the Canadian team stepped onto the ice for the pre-game warmup, the crowd went nuts with chants of "Go Canada Go!" reverberating throughout the stadium. I was especially proud when our very own Canucks goalie, Roberto Luongo, came out and played magnificently in a shut-out win.

Crosby, Toews (both Hump Day Hunks), Iginla - they were all there. In the matchup against Norway, it almost looked like an exhibition game at times of NHL all-stars on one side, and amateurs on the other.

The stadium was washed in a sea of red.

The players lined up for a hand shake at the end of the game, with Canada winning 8-0 over Norway.

Wearing:
Red plaid shirt by Aritzia
Red I heart hockey tee by Lululemon
Grey high waisted bandage skirt by Aritzia
Black tights from Hong Kong
Motorcycle flat boots from Vincent Park
Green patent shoulder bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs
Hubby's Seiko diving watch

Have you been catching any of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics on TV where you are? Or if you are in Vancouver, are you swept up in the Olympics fever yet?

Hump Day Hunks - Hockey Edition

Men with sticks. Sweaty, grunting men with sticks. Enough said.

Today's Hump Day Hunks are brought to you by..YOU! The picks are all either handpicked as a special request by you or inspired by you.

Up first, especially for Raul of Hummingbird604 and one of my best friends Lizzie, is angry-cute American, Ryan Kesler, of the Canucks. This man broke a hockey stick over his thighs. I don't know about you, but that kind of hot-blooded passion is steamy.

Above: Ryan Kesler doing his pouty, angry thing
Below: A rare smile from #17 Ryan Kesler as he makes the U.S. Olympic Mens Hockey team

Below: Ryan Kesler getting some, ahem, medical attention.

For my dear friend Alix of Canucks Hockey Blog and Kat of Fat Girl Skinny, I give you Shane O'Brien of the Canucks. Or, as I like to call him, Shane O'Hottie. Boyish good looks and Irish bad-boy charm have Alix and Kat swooning.

And for my friend Niki over at A Haute Mess, there is the smouldering Kevin Bieksa of the Canucks. Poor Kevin is currently sidelined with an injury, so let's show him so love. shall we?


And just for good measure, a group shot of Kevin, blondie defenseman Alex Edler (who in his own right could have made this list), and Shane in their shorts and socks.

Lastly, this one's for @ConnieWChang, who has a love for the shot-blocking hero, Ryan Johnson.

I know i promised other NHL hockey hotties besides my home team Canucks but because there are so many of them, we'll have to just save that for another (rainy) day. Enjoy this one ladies, as the next edition will be in two weeks time.

Pictures courtesy of Canucks.com.

Hump Day Hunks

It's Hump Day and I'm posting this collection of photos of my favourite Canuck Mason Raymond (aka Dimples) for my own selfish viewing pleasures. I know there are a number of my readers who are also girlie Canuck fans so this is for you too. Happy Hump (Hunk) Day!

ps - I had to include some of my #2 go-to guy, Alex Burrows, so for all you Burr fans out there, enjoy!

Above: Mason Raymond arriving at a hotel for the eastern conference roadtrip.
Below: Alex Burrows and Mason having breakfast on the road.

Below: Mason and Alexandre Burrows arriving together at an airport.

Below: Fellow Canuck hottie Kevin Bieksa and Mason at a community event.

Below: From the making of the Canucks Christmas Greeting for Children's Hospital. Mason with Kyle "Charlie Brown" Wellwood.

All pics from Canucks.nhl.com

Johnny Canuck Power

Hottest team in town and a hot new logo on a custom tee. Can Johnny Canuck get any hotter? I want one soooo badly! GO CANUCKS GO!!!