Canucks’ Jannik Hansen heads to Finland

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen has had enough with the ups and downs of the NHL lockout and has signed with Tappara Tampere in Finland’s SM-liiga.

“We’re hockey players. We want to play. We don’t want to be sitting, waiting around for the owners to come forth and talk with us.  It was a fairly simple decision,” Hansen tells News1130 Sports.

Hansen, 26, says that it’s almost November and he feels that he has to get going for himself, and to make sure that he is prepared for his country’s Olympic qualifying — if the lockout goes that long.  

Hansen is just the second Canuck to sign overseas. Forward Dale Weise has been playing with the Tillburg Trappers of the Dutch hockey league, after signing on October 12th.  

Hansen is expected to make his debut with Tappara Tampere Thursday. He is coming career highs in goals (16) and points (39) with the Canucks last season. Vancouver selected Hansen in the ninth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

There are now 200 NHL players playing overseas.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today