This season, Hunter Shinkaruk will become the 12th Vancouver Canucks draft pick to play in the United Kingdom.
This season, Hunter Shinkaruk will become the 12th Vancouver Canucks draft pick to play in the United Kingdom.
One league that often isn't talked about is the EIHL or Elite Ice Hockey League. Made up of ten teams, this United Kingdom-based league was founded in 2003 and has been a home for many former NHL draft picks looking to extend their careers. As for the Vancouver Canucks, they have had 11 former draft picks suit up in the league, with the 12th coming this season in the form of 2013 first-rounder Hunter Shinkaruk who signed with the Cardiff Devils. With this in mind, here is a look at a few names from the past who have played games in the EIHL.
Yann Sauvé
A second-round pick by the Canucks in 2008, Yann Sauvé played one season in the EIHL with the Nottingham Panthers. During the 2017-18, he finished in the top ten for scoring defensemen, recording 37 points in 54 games. Sauvé and the Panthers would finish the playoffs in third place that season while also making it to the first round of the playoffs in the Champions Hockey League.
Nathan McIver
Nathan McIver was an eight-round pick by Vancouver during the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. The left-shot defenceman, who played 18 games for the Canucks finished off his career in 2015-16 with the Braehead Clan. McIver would finish the season with 111 penalty minutes in 51 games while also playing two games in the Champions Hockey League.
Chris McAllister
Another second-round pick by the Canucks, Chris McAllister, was drafted 40th overall in 1995. The left-shot defenceman would play 64 games for Vancouver during his NHL career but would eventually make his way to the UK on two separate occasions. Playing for the Newcastle Vipers both times, he was part of the final BNL season in 2004-05 before playing one year in the EIHL during the 2008-09 season.
Carl Neill
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, Carl Neill played last season with the Nottingham Panthers. The right-shot defender had 27 points in 45 games and wore an "A" last season. The 28-year-old has yet to sign a contract for the 2024-25 season, but based on a cryptic post on social media by the team, it looks like he will be back next season.
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