Author Archives: Dean Herman

The next face of the NHL is from North Van

Posted on by

What if I were to tell you that, no hyperbole, the next face of the NHL is a kid from North Vancouver? 

Picture this. 

You’re a hardcore Canucks, not really familiar with the league outside of your team. 

In February, you sit down at some god forsaken time to catch the men’s Olympic hockey in Mulan. Youre excited but still trying to shake off that early morning “ughhhhh”.  

You know the big names, Crosby, Mcdavid, etc. But someone new catches your eye. You point frantically at your TV as you lean in to get a better look at what turns out to be an actual child on Olympic ice.  #17 in red, Macklin Celebrini. 

https://www.twitter.com/NHL/status/2011955262937047066

(NHL – Twitter)

Let’s start with the facts. Macklin Celebrini is a 19-year-old phenom from North Vancouver in the NHL. 

 Finishing his sophomore year with 115 points, nearly double of the second place in the team on points, (Will Smith with 59) and had one of the best seasons a teenager has had in the NHL, with only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby having more points in a season. Resulting in him being named a finalist for the Ted Lindsy Award, given to the best player in the league as voted on by the players. 

Outside the NHL, Celebrini further raised the roof at the Olympics in Italy. Finishing with 10 points in 5 games and did not look out of place with NHL legends and future Hockey Hall of Fame inductees on his flanks. 

Not to mention, its a slam dunk that hes going to be the next captain of the sharks and the greatest player their franchise has ever seen. Celebrini has already blown the best seasons of Sharks legends Joe Thorton and Patrick Marleau out of the water. 

Keep in mind, this guy can’t even legally drink in the US yet. To say the sky is the limit for him would be an understatement.  

So… What does this mean to the people of Vancouver? For fans in the Lower Mainland, there’s something special that he’s one of ours. In a hockey market that lives and breathes the sport, seeing a local kid potentially become the next global star hits differently. It shows dream filled kids and hockey families alike that all those early morning practices and late-night trips home after games could mean something more one day.  

Imagine how many young kids from Vancouver will see Celebrini as their inspiration, or role model.  

For fans of the NHL, we might be looking at more than just a great player. We might be watching the early chapters of a career that defines the next generation of hockey. 

Not bad for a kid from North Van. 

Vancouver’s living breathing art gallery

Posted on by

Perched at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park, at Vancouvers highest point, the Bloedel Conservatory feels permanent, like it’s always been part of the city’s identity.  

Screenshot (1)

(Dean Herman)

Opened in 1969, The domed lush paradise is home to over 500 different species of tropical plants, a large group of exotic koi fish, and dozens of birds. This includes standout like the green winged and black and gold macaws, the Sulphur-crested cockatoo, and the talking African Grey parrot.  

When you break it down, Bloedel Conservatory isn’t just a tropical escape.
It’s basically a living, breathing art gallery. Rows of perfectly placed landscaped garden beds lead to a waterfall spilling into a fantastical koi pond

 

However, in 2009, due to construction on the Canada Skytrain line, the gardens became difficult to get to, causing the attendance, and therefore, the revenue to drop. 

The final nail in the coffin was that the conservatory needed upgrades and repairs to the roof. With the city fresh off hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, there was no budget to allocate the funds to do so.  

The Vancouver Park Board was left with no choice but to vote to close the conservatory. 

The public backlash was strong and immediate. At the forefront of it was a group calling themselves the friends of the Bloedel, raising funds in hope of keeping the place alive. 

The group brought in over $80,000 in funds. This, alongside a new budget proposal, was enough for the Park Board to reverse its decision. 

Andrew Fleming, the superintendent of garden operations at the Bloedel, said in an interview with me that, “It would have been sort of a scar- sort of a black mark on the park board” when asked about what it would have meant to the city if the place had shut closed for good. Andrew stated he was finishing his internship at the conservatory at the time the shutdown was imminent, giving insight that the place could have been turned into a concert venue, or skate park. 

The Bloedel was later partnered with the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) to avoid a potential closure from happening again. 

Today, the place is thriving better than ever and even went through a short closure in 2024 to improve walkways. Over the years, the Bloedel has even found some stardom in film, appearing in TV shows such as Supergirl, Fringe, and Supernatural, where it was used as Heaven’s garden. That’s got to be a glowing endorsement.  

The Bloedel conservatory is a unique piece of structural architecture and has become a landmark for the city in Vancouver, not only in the literal sense but also the cultural one.  

Burnaby’s national soccer legend

Posted on by

How did Canadian women’s soccer get put on the map? 

This is the story of Burnaby local, and national legend, Christine Sinclair. She didn’t just play the game, she changed it forever. 

Long before she broke records, Sinclair was just a kid playing soccer in Burnaby. No hype, no foretold prophecy, just a player who kept showing up and getting better. 

pexels-mario-ortiz-227262335-12039816

In a world before social media, her rise was steady, quiet, and built on consistency and drive. 

By the time she joined the Canada women’s national soccer team, heads turned and necks broke, all eyes were on Christine. She wasn’t just a good player, she was someone who was going to define an era of women’s soccer. 

Let’s make one thing clear, Sinclair didn’t just break records, she shattered them like a glass roof. 

She became the all-time leading goal scorer in international soccer. Hold on, think about that, not just in women’s soccer, it was of all time. Christine passed legends like Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm, with 190 goals in 323 games. That’s no longer just a Canadian achievement, that’s a worldwide legend. 

And what tied it all together was Sinclair demeaner. She was well known for her quiet and humble personality, not even any over-the-top celebrations, just a calm jog back to midfield, ready to do it again. 

That’s what made Sinclair such great leader, and longtime captain of the Canadian national team. Her whole brand was being a leader and a role model.  

Finally, at the peak of her legacy, the 202o Tokyo Olympics. After years of grinding and close calls, the Canadian team finally broke through, winning gold. And of course, right at the center of the team, was captain Canada herself, Sinclair. Not just as a player, but as the emotional heartbeat and core of the team. 

So, what legacy will Christine Sinclair leave behind once her athlete career is over? Well, funny enough, the most important part of her career isn’t just what happened on the field, it’s the waves of impact she created.  

Sinclair set the standard of what was to be expected out of every team she played on. Inspired countless young girls who finally had someone to look up to at the highest level, a complete role model in every sense of the word. 

And for people who grew up in Burnaby, the Lower Mainland, or even Canada, you get to say she’s one of yours.  

For you, it’s not about the national moments or the legacy created, its about the local fields, rainy day practices, and the same communities you drive past and live in every day. 

From Burnaby to Olympic gold, Christine Sinclair didn’t just play the game. She changed it forever. 

Why Canada has no more Elite Goalies

Posted on by

This February at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano, Italy, the men’s hockey team shockingly lost in the gold medal game to the USA, their first gold in 46 years.  

Despite it being a tight game and going to overtime, one flaw on Canada’s team was visible since the roster was released, no elite goalie. The last times there were NHL players at the Olympics, the team was backstopped by names such as Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Roberto Luongo, and Carey Price.  

So why isn’t there any more goalies being produced by Canada? 

Well, the thing is, its not just goalies, its the whole program. 

pexels-ron-lach-8974643

(Pexels)

Growing up in Canada, there’s a good chance your childhood included the scrape of skates, early-morning practices, and maybe even the Mighty Ducks films. Hockey wasn’t just a sport, it was the sport, it was the culture and lifeblood that ran through the veins of the nation. 

However, in the last few decades, fewer kids are lacing up the skates, and a question keeps popping up. How did a hockey development system as good as Canada’s fall off? 

Firstly, hockey has become wildly expensive, basically becoming a luxury sport that has seen a 35% drop in registration over the last 14 years. Signing a kid up for organized hockey today can cost thousands per year, and it’s always higher for goalies. Once you factor in equipment, registration fees, travel, and more, in can leave families in over their heads. 

In places like the Lower Mainland, the cost of living is already sky high, putting a sport like hockey out of reach for even middle-class parents. Alternative sports like soccer or basketball are more assessable and cheaper to enroll in. 

It’s not that kids don’t want to play, it’s that fewer have the opportunity. 

Not to mention, hockey is intensely competitive and highly skilled now. It’s no longer about big lumbering guys drinking cases of beer after the game, if your not in shape 24 months of the year, you fall behind, fast. 

Finally, its not just about families or living conditions. Hockey Canada has been an inept organization for years. With the tip of the iceberg being the 2018 world juniors sexual assault scandal, but hockey’s potential culture problem is for another day. 

So… is there real trouble for Canadian hockey?  

Not exactly. Canada is still producing elite talent. The NHL is still full of Canadian stars, it’s just the juggernaut it once was. Countries like Sweden, Finland, and the United States have caught up to Canada in developing their hockey programs. 

Maybe the better question isn’t “what happened to Canadian kids’ hockey programs?” It’s what kind of hockey culture do we want going forward? 

Canucks – Who could fill the Captaincy

Posted on by

The Canucks are bad.

You can tell that by taking a quick glance at the standings, you cant get worse than finishing last.  

But for the analyst or fans that are in too deep, we know there’s something wrong on a deeper level here. Over the years, there’s been rumors of locker room divides, commitment issues, or whatever the heck happened between the team and JT Miller. But there’s always one word that keeps coming up. 

Culture. 

With Quinn Hughes being shipped off to Minnesota in December and the team being more dead than doornails and finishing last in the league, this gives the perfect opportunity to give a hard reset to the teams culture.  

Screenshot_20260429-104608

(Dean Herman)

But who is the best candidate? What does it mean to be captain? 

For me, I only see three realistic options. 

#1 Brock Boeser 

Brock is the popular choice, he choose to stay here last July when he was an unrestricted free agent. His contract runs for another 6 years, the man bleeds blue and green and gives his best effort every time he steps on the ice.  

The downside on Boeser is he is too connected to a core that couldn’t work together, isn’t vocal or rugged enough to do the job. There’s also the argument that Boeser doesn’t have enough high-end talent to demand resect and control of the room, he’s got a whippersnapper shot and a decent stick but there has been concerns over his speed for years, which will only worsen as he gets older. 

Then again, you don’t really need a top end guy to captain a rebuild, you want a guy who can wrangle all the young players you bring in and teach them. 

Let’s move on. 

 

#2 Filip Hronek 

The stock for Hronek being the next captain has been on the rise. He picked up the vacant letter after Hughes was traded and was part of the leadership group on the Cech Olympic team. His contract runs for another 5 years so you don’t have to worry about him taking off in the short term. Filip has expressed multiple times that he has enjoyed his time in Vancouver and has no intentions on leaving.  

The knock on Hronek is that he doesn’t care to speak to the media, he spent over a season and a half after coming to the Canucks without speaking to the media.  

#3 Nobody 

Probably the most reasonable option, leaving the captaincy vacant if you have to scratch and claw to defend choosing a captain off the team as it is assembled now, you’re probably better off not having one. 

This allows someone to step up and cement themselves to be chosen for the position next year, or until a young star player from the draft is mature enough to step into the role. Having a fresh face would allow the potential for a full fix of the toxic culture problems in the locker-room. Leaving the fans only to hope the next wave of Canucks won’t fall into the same pits as the last core did.   

The Guide to Getting into Vancouver Sports

Posted on by

Trying to break into the sports scene in a city as big as Vancouver can feel intimidating.

So many different teams from all sports and leagues to choose from. All while everyone else seems to already know the players, the stats, even some of the analytics. This can seem daunting for a new fan, almost like there’s some level of gatekeeping going on. 

But here’s the thing, the city makes it easier than you think to jump in, whether you want to watch, play, or just understand what everyone’s yelling about. 

The easiest way to get into sports is to start with one team from your favorite sport and just follow along. Like barnacles attached to a boat out in the marina, you’re just along for the ride. 

In Vancouver, that usually means the Vancouver Canucks, but at the moment. I highly recommend choosing literally any other team unless you enjoy putting yourself through emotional roller coasters and massive disappointments. Not to mention, they won’t be back in action till the fall.  

A better choice might be the whitecaps who are off to one of the best starts in MLS history. But the Canadians or BC Lions would be a stellar choice as well.  

And don’t feel like you have to drop a wad of cash on tickets right away. Some of the best introductions to sports happen outside the stadium. Watching a game at a packed bar or even with friends that can explain any confusing moments into learning opportunities or humorous moments. And honestly, part of the fun is learning as you go. Ask questions or look things up mid-game. Nobody starts as an expert. 

When you do get invested enough to go a game, brace yourself for an experience you’ll never forget. Games can feel like some kind of rave. You’ve got chants, drums, music, and a crowd that will raise the roof with an electric buzz that will make you feel that you’re not just watching the game, you’re part of it.  

Another milestone of sports fandom is getting that first jersey. Whether it’s a blank or a player you felt attached to, you will have an emotional connection with the uniform for the rest of your life. 

If you really want to connect with sports on a deeper level, try playing. Vancouver is full of options in all sports for beginners, including hockey, baseball, soccer, pickleball, and many more. 

pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5184688

(Pexels)

For the TLDR, getting into sports in Vancouver isn’t about knowing  every little thing, even if it may seem that way. It’s about living an experience. Start with one team, one game, or even one moment that grabs your attention. From there, it builds naturally. 

And before you know it, you’re a total fanatic. 

What your Favorite Vancouver Sports Team says about You

Posted on by

The city of Vancouver has a ton of sports teams to choose from, sports culture is basically a personality trait here.  Here’s what your favorite team says about you. 

Canucks 

If you’ve still got the Vancouver Canucks pinned as your favorite team, first of all… respect. You’ve been put through the ringer, and more than most people would be willing to endure. You’re loyal to a fault and probably have some serious trust issues and slight emotional damage. You’ve grown accustomed to being over promised and massively let down nearly every time.  

And if you get some kind of sick enjoyment out of that, I suggest you start considering seeing a therapist. 

 

Whitecaps 

If you’re backing the Whitecaps FC, you like slightly niche things, and but your soccer fandom might run deeper than just the local team. You appreciate global culture and the bigger picture. And you like being part of something that feels bigger than just the city. 

You also might be a little high strung as the Whitecaps future in Vancouver is up in the air due to needing both a new owner and stadium. So, being a Whitecaps fan requires a long-term mindset and a touch of optimism. 

 

Lions 

You’re laid back if you’re repping the BC Lions, you are the monk of Vancouver sports fans. You’re chill, like a good time, but you’re not all about that stress. You take advantage of the summer games, cheap tickets, and the fact that you can move around the stadium without fighting through a crowd. No matter what the end result of the game is, somehow it always ends up being a positive experience. 

 

Canadians 

If you’re all in on the Vancouver Canadians, you bring the same energy as play-by-play guy, Rob Fae. A little manic, but positive, confident, and always up for a good time. If this level of baseball is at the you of your list, it’s not just about the game, it’s about the experience. 

 You like hanging out, eating hotdogs and popcorn, and enjoying a warm evening without taking things too seriously. And you’re probably the most down-to-earth sports fan in your friend group.  

At least until the MLB comes to town. 

 

Warriors 

You fall into one of two categories if you’re crazy about the Warriors.  

Option one is you jumped on the fan bandwagon after one of the best seasons in franchise history for the team. The Warriors definitely gained some new fans after an electric fast paced campaign. 

Option two is you’re either ahead of the curve or just like being different. Lacrosse doesn’t always get the spotlight, but maybe that’s kind of part of the appeal. Your part of the movement that’s going to make the NLL feel like it belongs as part of the unique West Coast culture. 

pexels-tony-schnagl-6468598

(Pexels)

Are Aggressive Betting Ads Ruining Sports?

Posted on by

No matter what sports you watch in this day and age, there’s always one thing you can escape. 

 Even before the game starts, you’ve been told the odds. Graphics flash across the screen. A panel debates point spreads instead of line changes. Commercial breaks aren’t selling cars or sneakers anymore; they’re pushing apps like PlayNow or FanDuel and even using celebrities or former players to do so.  

Youve seen it more times than you can count, risk-free bets and boosted odds, you’ll walk away with winnings in your pocket, for sure.  

Even when you’re not watching the game it’s inescapable. Even your favorite sports podcasts have sponsored betting segments being crammed down your throat. 

Now, sports gambling isn’t new. It’s been around forever, dating back to pools, friendly bets, that one friend who thinks he’s ahead of the game.  

However, since Canada legalized single-game betting in 2021, the floodgates have been opened. Betting is no longer something happening on the side, it’s like it became mandatory and baked into the broadcast itself. It feels like its gotten out of hand, you can even bet on how long the national anthem will take to sing. 

It’s not that gambling exists. It’s how aggressively and constantly it’s being pushed. And its all aimed at the younger audience, especially the 18–34 crowd. Once kids get into sports betting, it becomes a hard habit to break. The betting stops feeling optional and becomes a part of the game. I’ve seen people get sucked into it. 

pexels-viniciusvieirafotografia-29825629

(Pexels)

Even athletes and celebrities are getting in on it. Just in the NHL alone, names like Evander Kane and Shane Pinto have been suspended for having their names linked to betting. And we have no idea what’s going on in the shadows. If you get the chance, look up operation slapshot sometime, the story of how Wayne Gretzky, Rick Tocchet and others ran an illegal sports gambling ring.  

So, its betting single handedly ruining sports? Not really, at least not yet. I actually had someone say to me that it’s the greed of people that are ruining sports.  

Gambling adds a layer to the experience that can be fun in moderation, and ruin peoples lives once it consumes them. If we haven’t experienced it, we all know a story when someone couldn’t hold their gambling addiction. 

When betting becomes the loudest voice in the room, it can begin to shift what sports are about. 

Streaming VS Live Sports

Posted on by

Picture this, it’s a Saturday night, the Canucks are on, you recline back in your chair, your hockey group chat is buzzing, and you’ve got all the snacks and drinks your heart could desire right at your fingertips. 

Here’s the question, if we can watch everything on demand in crystal-clear HD from our couch, why would we ever go to a live game? 

When I went to my first ever live NHL game against the Jets a few years ago, it was magical. I mean, it probably helped that the Canucks stomped them 5-0, but when I first walked in, you could immediately feel the aura when you get into the seating area. The ring of honour, the retired jerseys, decades of history happened here. There’s a feeling in the air that doesn’t translate through a screen. 

When a goal is scored, it’s not just something you watch; it’s something you experience, together. The sound hits you like an eighteen-wheeler, people jump out of their seats and scream at the top of their lungs, stranger’s high-five like they’ve known each other for years. And for a few seconds, nothing else matters. That’s the difference, at home, you’re watching the game, but live, you’re part of it. 

Especially if a hotbed like Vancouver, sports aren’t just entertainment, it’s part of our culture, it’s in our veins.  

On the other hand, steaming has completely changed the game when it comes to sports. You can pause, rewind, switch angles, and catch every replay without worrying about missing anything. 

Take the Canucks for example, regardless of them being awful why would you shell out hundreds of dollars and drag yourself out to Rogers Arena to be crowded in with an ocean of people, with extremely overpriced concession, and in this case a terrible product. 

I went to a Canucks game this year, one of the worst mistakes of my life. It was the game where the Rangers came to town, the return of JT Miller and the last chance to see goaltending legend Jonathan Quick in BC. Should be a slam dunk, right?  

gameday

(Dean Herman)

The Canucks got shut out 2-0 in one of the most boring games I’ve ever seen, not to mention some old man with the voice of an ear piercing banshee that cut through the air would not cease screaming about pineapple on pizza and confection ovens at Quick every time the puck came to his end. It got so bad I started hoping the Canucks would not even get into the offensive zone. I wish I had just stayed in my dorm and played NHL instead. 

Not to mention, modern fandom isn’t just about getting to watch the game. Half the experience now is reacting online, you’re now part of a much bigger conversation.  

So, are live sports still worth it? 

Well yea, of course they are, just maybe not as much as they once were. 

Steaming gives you control of the game, but live sports gives you an experience, you’ll never remember each and every game you watched on your recliner while covered in Cheeto dust, but you’ll remember every time you went to the arena or stadium for the rest of your life. In a world where almost everything is available to you at any time, to be there in the moment surrounded by people reacting the same way you are,
well, that’s something you can’t DVR. 

Potential MLB Team in Vancouver Raises Concern’s

Posted on by

On April 22nd, 2026, Vancouver Mayor, Ken Sim pitched a motion to city council that would start the process of identifying and evaluating potential owners to bring an MLB (Major League Baseball) team to Vancouver. 

 Mayor Sim said, “Our office has been approached by serious proponents regarding a potential bid for the MLB” this isn’t exactly out of left field, as Vancouver has been in talks for years as a potential expansion franchise for the league. 

In kind of a shocking turn of events, the council approved the motion with all but one counselor in opposition. Counselor Orr said he did not vote to approve the motion because the mayor would not clarify what parties were interested in bringing a franchise team to Vancouver. In addition to this, Orr brought up Vancouver’s inability to keep hold of their NBA team, The Vancouver Grizzlies, and the uncertain future of the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS that only seems to get more dramatic each day. 

I mean, he’s kind of like Oscar the grouch, but is he wrong?

The cost to bring an MLB team to the city would be astronomical; we’re talking about big league numbers here. The proposal has something looking at north of $4 billion for expansion fees alone, and then an estimated about $1.5 billion for a new stadium as despite venues such as BC Place and Nat Baily Stadium, Vancouver does not have a stadium suitable for an MLB team. 

pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5184684

This has led to concerns from the locals. Even though it was stated that the city will prefer private funding with no plans for taxpayer dollars will go toward the stadium, skeptics doubt that the cost will be able to be fully covered without it. There’s also the belief that the funds could be spent in better places. Vancouver already has affordability issues and a housing crisis, a new stadium could put further strain on traffic and transit congestion and could potentially take away from land that could be used to develop more housing. 

On a more positive note, even though it is way ahead of the time to do this, the most fun part about getting a new sports franchise is the speculation of the potential name. Here’s a couple that have fans the most excited. The Vancouver Spirit Bears, the Lumberjacks, and the Pacifics. 

Regardless of the end result, the potential of an MLB franchise coming to Vancouver is an exciting time across the province.