Author Archives: Manvir Gupta

Whats Going On With The ‘Caps

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The feeling around Vancouver right now is starting to feel familiar to sports fans in North America.

 

The Whitecaps are going through the same motions as San Jose Earthquakes fans went through in 2006 with the loss of their team, but not history. They were lucky enough the get their team back 2 years later in 2008 but the feeling left a lasting mark on the fans.

 

The Columbus Crew also went through a similar experience. They started a #savethecrew movement that had all the club’s supporters going to the city council building to voice their love. After a lot of chaos and deliberation the owner of the Cleveland Browns, Jimmy Haslam was able to step in and buy the club and keep it in Columbus.

 

So the Caps fans decided to face the down the barrel of relocation and put up their own fight.

 

A #SaveTheCaps movement was started as a result of rumors that the ownership couldn’t find a local buyer. The fear got worse as recently a bid had come in from a potential owner in Las Vegas.

 

Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against Vegas having a team. In fact I think there should be a lot more teams and a relegation system. But I’ll save that for another day.

 

The supporters really stepped and got the whole community involved. Even the Mayor was tweeting #SaveTheCaps.

 

It actually seemed to be working.

 

The Premier of BC, David Eby, had a meeting with the MLS Commissioner, Don Garber. Our Premier said the meeting went well and a path forward is possible.

Although it didn’t seem to be a shared sentiment as there was still no communication from the ownership or if a bid from a local buyer is a real opportunity.

 

What it really comes down to is whether or not a soccer specific stadium can be made in Vancouver. The ownership of the whitecaps says this is a big issue as despite selling out games, they make some of the lowest revenue in the league.

 

Its hard to argue with the facts but what I’m trying to get at is, there are so many things we as the fans don’t get to see. Quite literally we are not in the room where it happens, but I think that this fight that we put up, the passion that we can show will be felt and remembered.

 

Our effort will not go unnoticed. Keep fighting. #SaveTheCaps

Player Report: Brock Boeser

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Brock Boeser is currently the longest tenured Canuck. So as they go through this time of rebuilding how does his role change?

 

Well back in 2017 when he debuted he was just the rookie. A good one at that scoring in his debut game.

 

Then in November of the 2017/2018 season Boeser became the 3rd youngest player in Canucks history to score a hat trick, and he won rookie of the month. This pattern would continue as his elite shot kept developing. He was even up for the Calder trophy.

 

Unfortunately on March 5th of 2018 he suffered an injury to his back and would be sidelined for the rest of the season. He was able to come back at the start of the next season only to suffer another injury.

 

Despite these setbacks Brock Boeser was able to find his way back each time and be a solid piece of the team each time. Imagine what the 2024 playoffs could have looked like with him in the lineup against Edmonton. He was a crucial piece to winning against the Preds.

 

In good news that he was also able to recover from the blood clots and came back to playing in the next season.

 

So now with that all behind us what’s left? He is now the most tenured Canuck and signed a contract to stay for 7 years in 2025. It seems like he is here to stay for the foreseeable future and wants to be a part of this rebuild.

 

His transition into a role of leadership is one a silent one. Being there a long time he has been around. Someone to teach the new guys coming in who could be feeling overwhelmed with everything the NHL brings.

The fanbase has grown up with Brock and he is always a great face to see.

 

When the team waited until Free Agency to bring him back it was nerve wracking. It was sad, we had all thought we watched the man we saw grow from a rookie to a great player, play his last game for the organization.

 

And on July 1st 2025 when he signed that 7 year contract, I was relieved. Thankful that we weren’t going to lose a piece of team history.

Who Can The Canucks Draft at 3rd?

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In the most Canucks thing to happen, this last draft lottery has sent us spinning. We fall from first overall to 3rd this draft and that is not what hurts the most.

Toronto, after not missing the playoffs for the last 10 years, stumbled into first overall. Not to mention the last time they missed the playoffs they also picked first overall and picked their now captain Austin Matthews.

 

The script writers did not cook with this one.

 

I’m not saying that it’s rigged, but it definitely felt like it at the moment.

 

Canucks fans (including myself) weren’t really expecting more, like of course when we have the best odds we lose. The real question is what’s the plan forward?

 

I’ve got a few ideas that could happen and I’ll lay them out.

 

I think Gavin McKenna is gone. I would love to draft a player that has been seen at the top of his class but with that being said we have 3rd pick. Not gonna Happen.

 

I think Ivar Stenberg has a chance of falling to 3rd but i think San Jose will pick him up. I think San Jose won’t be drafting for position, as Stenberg is also considered to be rivaling McKenna for first pick.

 

So with what seems to be the best two players in the draft headed off to different franchises, who is left for the Canucks?

 

There are 2 names that have been going around.

 

Chase Reid, who is looking to usurp Keaton Verhoeff as the first defenceman taken in the draft. Personally not the route I would take, as our D-man prospects are already looking good. There is Tom Willander, Elias Pettersson (The defence-man) Victor Mancini, and Zeev Buium.

 

The other name going around  is Caleb Malhotra. Not a name that was projected this high up at the start of the year but his solid performance in the OHL has boosted his stock. Not that we can ever know for certain but, he is projected to be a 3c with 1c potential.

 

If we need anyone we need a center.

 

Then again I’m just a fan. I’ve never seen them play in person and, well you can never truly predict how well a player’s game transfers into the NHL.

 

I hope the Canucks are able to get the best possible player, whoever it may be.

Player Report: Thomas Muller

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Thomas Muller’s arrival in Vancouver landed like dynamite.

 

He was much anticipated by the supporters. Seen as someone who would take the club to the next level.

 

The supporters group went as far as waiting in at the airport on August 13 2025 and celebrated his arrival. Something that is very common in Europe when a club makes a big signing.

 

The fateful day of August 17 2025 rolls around and the fans finally get to see him in action. Only as a sub in the 61st minute, but his impact is felt right as he steps on the pitch. You could see him yelling instructions, making plays, and it showed he was already bought into the team.

 

He immediately made the city fall in love with him through his posts about the city and just being a relatable person. He connected to the fans in a way no one else has and it brought a new love of soccer in Vancouver.

 

BC Place was sold out and the atmosphere had never been better. I went to a few games at the end of last season and there was a party in the halls of BC Place after each game. Chanting, singing, it was something I hadn’t really experienced before.

 

Fast forward to his second showing for the club, on August 25th he is able to find the back of the net. The crowd went nuts and the players were glowing. The team had found a new gear with the superstar signing.

 

His impact has often gone beyond the game, even back in Germany he was a community beacon. He tends to be the most relatable player with all the clips from messing up in training to the jokes he makes in interviews. To add on top of that he has a really positive attitude, can’t really ask for much more in a leader.

 

The team morale seemed to boom with a new leader on and off the pitch. The team went on to compete for the supporters shield, the concacaf champions cup, and the mls cup.

Unfortunately they weren’t able to secure any of the trophies but Muller brought a breath of fresh air in a city where hope in sports tends to be pretty bleak.

 

Thomas Muller made it feel good to support the Whitecaps and help bring the soccer community closer together.