Canucks Central Jannik Hansen on O’Connor’s Rise + Mathis Preston’s Draft-Year Push
Jan 31, 2026
Jannik Hansen, former NHL forward and Vancouver hockey personality, talks player development, offseason training and why late-season minutes matter for young players. Mathis Preston, draft-eligible Vancouver Giants forward, discusses joining the Giants, his playing style, draft-year pressures and recovery from injury. They dig into skating, special teams roles and how focused summer work can change careers.
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Episode notes
Use Late Season Games To Develop Prospects
- Prioritize development over wins late in a lost season and give young players NHL minutes to learn.
- Use the final games to assess ceilings and expose prospects to playoff‑intensity competition.
Short NHL Exposure Reveals Gaps Quickly
- A short NHL sample reveals what separates minors success from NHL readiness.
- Summer training targeting weaknesses becomes the difference-maker for borderline call-ups.
Train Explosive First Steps
- Young forwards should work on first‑step burst and separation to create scoring chances.
- Even an extra foot or two of separation forces defenders to react and opens shooting or penalty opportunities.