Winger will wear a non-contact jersey while defenseman will not participate at all
A pair of veterans will be noticeably absent when the Vancouver Canucks open training camp in Victoria on Thursday.
Ilya Mikheyev and Tucker Poolman will not be among the players skating in the main groups with the hockey club. Mikheyev will be on the ice with the 'C' group which is usually comprised of junior aged players and those destined for the ECHL or under contract to the Abbotsford Canucks. General Manager Patrik Allvin says Mikheyev is making progress from recontstructive knee surgery in February, but isn't quite ready yet to resume workouts at the NHL level.
"He's going to start skating with a non-contact jersey and we'll go day by day here," Allvin explained. "But his work ethic, commitment and where he is, it will be not far for him to join the big team there."
Allvin would not reveal the club's plan for Mikheyev through the preseason which begins on Sunday. He suffered his knee injury in the team's first preseason game last September.
As for Poolman, the club released a statement Wednesday morning stating that the veteran defenseman who was limited to just three games last season with migraine issues continues to struggle with his health. As such, he is not included in the team's plans for the foreseeable future and will start the season on Long Term Injury Reserve.
“Regrettably, Tucker will not be able to take part in training camp this year as he continues to try and get better,” said Allvin. “We will continue to support and work with him in his recovery. This is a very unfortunate situation and we feel for Tucker and all that he has gone through in dealing with his issues. Not being able to play the game because of circumstances beyond your control is never easy, and we hope Tucker returns to health soon."
The Canucks first on ice-sesson of training is set for 10am on Thursday at Save On Foods Memorial Centre.