A look at which Vancouver Canucks would thrive at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The NHL offseason is among us, so what better way to keep up with sports around the world than to imagine the local team partaking in the biggest competition in the world, the 2024 Summer Olympics? In the spirit of the Games, we take a look at which Vancouver Canucks would compete in which events and who would take home an ever-coveted gold medal? Don't forget also to comment below and let us know which Canucks players you think would climb to the top of the podium in Paris.
Athletics
Participants: Tyler Myers, Artūrs Šilovs and Carson Soucy
Events: Long jump, pole vault, and Shot Put
These athletics events require a diverse skill set, though one common denominator to guarantee success is height. I don’t know if there’s a pole tall enough for Tyler Myers to vault with, but regardless, I think the result would be entertaining.
Gold — Tyler Myers
Myers is a heavy favourite in this category, as he’s the tallest member of the team clocking in at 6’8”. Long jump would be a snooze-fest for him, and with the proper technique, he could crush the competition at the pole vault. With arms over half the size of Nils Höglander, Myers brings a whole different level of height to both this competition and the Canucks themselves. If he can utilize the power behind the 92.19 shot speed he recorded last October, then a gold medal is completely plausible for the tall defenceman.
Silver — Artūrs Šilovs
Tall and nimble, Artūrs Šilovs could propel himself to a medal in a Canucks athletics competition. His ability to stretch to make a save would give him a good cushion for distance in long jump. Competing in pole vaulting could also showcase some of his flexible talents, especially if he can stretch himself enough to avoid hitting the bar. With enough luck and strategy, could Šilovs beat Myers for the gold medal? Probably not, but it’d be interesting to see him try.
Bronze — Carson Soucy
The second tallest on the team at 6’5”, Carson Soucy could provide stiff competition for Myers and Šilovs, particularly in the long jump and pole vault categories. His long reach, particularly with how he’s able to poke a puck away from an oncoming forward, would absolutely be an asset.
Gymnastics
Participants: Thatcher Demko, Nils Höglander and Elias Pettersson
Events: Parallel bars, Pommel Horse and Rings
From my limited gymnastics knowledge, it looks like the ideal Canucks gymnast candidates would be those with good balance, hand-eye coordination, and an ability to move deftly. What better way to prove excellent balancing skills than riding a unicycle while juggling or stick-handling?
Gold — Nils Höglander
Nils Höglander seems to be the ideal candidate for Olympic gymnastics on the Canucks. He’s got an unshakeable stature, impeccable balance, and has more than proven his ability to move swiftly when on the ice. Because of this, it’s reasonable to infer that he’d do well in most gymnastics categories. While we’re not sure if that could translate to parallel bars, it’s still something to keep in mind when considering someone for this event.
Silver — Thatcher Demko
Gymnastics events take a lot of power and balance, but another thing to keep in mind is being flexible enough to stretch into some of the most painful poses. Enter: Thatcher Demko. It’s not rare to see a scorpion save or a dramatic split from Demko to keep the puck out of the net. Clearly, being able to do that while on the ice is no common feat — but can he do the same while dangling from gymnastic rings?
Bronze — Elias Pettersson
Elias Pettersson could either do really well in Olympic gymnastics, or could show us why he prefers to stay on the ice. While he’s certainly a good size for tumbling and flipping, those aren’t the only things that make a good gymnast. We’ve seen his nimble form and quick reflexes from his very brief time as a goalie, but have yet to see whether he could do the same on the pommel horse.
Swimming
Participants: Brock Boeser, Conor Garland and Quinn Hughes
Events: Freestyle, Butterfly and Backstroke
Players who would excel in the swimming category realistically need to be good at one very important thing — swimming (duh). The candidates for this event either have experience with swimming (owning boats) or have an affinity for water-related things (sharks). This category was tough to choose, as there aren’t many intersections between swimming and hockey, so the medal placements for these were based on assumptions.
Gold — Quinn Hughes
With an offseason home located right on the lake, Quinn Hughes could clinch first in swimming events for the Vancouver Canucks. The young captain also grew up near the lake, so it would make sense for him to be a proficient swimmer. Knowing his sleek movements and talented skating ability, it wouldn’t be surprising if he could also emulate this skill when swimming.
Silver — Brock Boeser
Hailing from Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, Boeser is no stranger to water. His instagram feed is chock-full of pictures of him on a boat on lakes, typically accompanied by his two dogs. With all that time spent on a lake, Boeser is bound to be a good swimmer.
Bronze — Conor Garland
Conor Garland’s nomination for this event comes solely from an interview provided by Canucks.com. It delves into Garland’s affinity for sharks and his unrelenting love for the movie Jaws. For that sole reason, he deserves at least a bronze medal in the Canucks’ swimming events.
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