Your Favourite Fall Drinks, Vancouver Canucks Version

Happy National Coffee Day! The start of the NHL regular season means the start of colder weather and warm sweaters. As a fun pre-season piece, I took a look at some popular fall drinks and which Vancouver Canucks would be best described by each.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte

The ultimate fall classic, this drink is likely the first thing you think of when someone mentions “fall drinks.” A pumpkin spice latte is simple yet effective — it always comes the way you expect it to. It’s a popular choice for a reason, and so are these players.

Ever a popular choice for jerseys and posters, Elias Pettersson has been one of the faces for the Canucks since making his debut against the Calgary Flames in 2018. While he was criticized at the end of last season for appearing less enthusiastic about playing than he has been in the past, he’s still clearly the most popular Pettersson (or Patterson).

A new favourite since his remarkable run in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Artūrs Šilovs not only gives off “pumpkin spice” energy, but he’s also quickly becoming a more popular choice for fans. Not only that, he tends to the net in a way that has you seeing everything that you’d expect from him.

Nils Åman may not be the most popular player on the Canucks (although, according to AI, apparently, he’s the most attractive player on the team), but he’s definitely one of the most consistent. He’s not known for high-flying offence but he can kill a penalty and provide a stable defensive presence when needed.

A popular Canuck who always delivers when expected of him (or even when not), Conor Garland is another pumpkin-spiced piece of the team. His timely offence, as well as his efforts towards everything, regardless of whether it’s pre-season or a practice drill, have become a staple of his game — just like pumpkin spice lattes to fall.

Chai Latte

A chai latte may be available year-round, but it’s typically thought of as a fall drink. It’s a change-up from the usual coffee-based drink, blending milk with black tea and a variety of spices. Chai lattes add a little bit of spice to a drink lineup, just like these players.

Noticeable as far back as last playoffs, where he utilized his stature to level his now-teammates, Kiefer Sherwood is sure to bring spice to a noticeably tougher Canucks squad for the 2024–25 regular season. Just like a chai latte, he’ll definitely be a hit among Canucks Nation.

Bringing the boom to Vancouver is the 6’7” Vincent Desharnais, who comes into the defensive core as a sizable replacement for the 6’6” Nikita Zadorov. Having faced the hulking defenceman more than enough times last season, fans are well aware of how easy it is for him to wrestle an opponent to the ice.

While Sherwood and Desharnais may reflect the type of spice that packs a punch, Canucks captain Quinn Hughes is also no stranger to lighting up a lineup. Catching opponents off-guard with a quick stride to bring the puck up the ice (and eventually into the opposing team’s net), he’s the type of chai latte that throws you for a loop.

Similar to Hughes, Jonathan Lekkerimäki stuns opponents with his lethal shot. One of the Canucks’ top prospects, the forward can rip a puck past an opposing goalie to warrant the same reaction as a person burning their tongue on a hot drink. While he’s looked great so far this pre-season, it’s yet to be determined whether this chai latte will stick with the big club this regular season.

Apple Cider

Warm and dressed in cinnamon, an apple cider is the perfect drink to carry around while out on a brisk walk on a fall afternoon. It’s an underrated classic that gets its credit for doing the little things properly.

A warm bundle of energy that’s bound to lift your spirits with his energetic and intense playstyle, Nils Höglander is the type of player who can slide under the radar in the team’s popularity lineup. He’s underrated by the rest of the league, just like apple ciders to the fall drink crowd.

Looking to center a line consisting of Dakota Joshua and Conor Garland once all members are healthy, Teddy Blueger brings the smooth, fine vibes of apple cider with his ability to clean up the center of the ice.

New addition Danton Heinen doesn’t seem to have any confirmed line partners, as he was previously speculated to be playing with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser and then ended up skating with Linus Karlsson and Nils Åman in the Canucks’ first pre-season game. However, regardless of who he plays with, this local boy’s strong skills and smarts leave him as an under-the-radar penalty killer.

A welcome presence in this year’s pre-season and training camp, Aatu Räty had himself an impressive pre-season debut, earning himself praise from Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet. It’s skills like his faceoff work that make him underrated like an apple cider.

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Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolates are a staple in every household during the fall season. At the end of the day, if you’re a kid or adult, it’s the epitome of “ol’ reliable” for a drink. Whether it’s dressed up with marshmallows, whipped cream, or chocolate shavings, a hot chocolate is an easily-customizable drink that’s sure to satisfy all.

Brock Boeser has faced his fair share of criticism throughout his career, but after having a rejuvenated season that saw him score 40 goals, it seems like most of those comments have been silenced. The longest-tenured Canucks skater, Boeser is a longtime classic and fan favourite within the organization.

A forward who has seen time both as a center and a winger, Pius Suter is one of the most versatile members of the Vancouver Canucks. He can be put in a team’s top six or on the power play, or he can help drive his own line within the bottom six. Wherever he plays, Suter’s here to suit all of the team’s needs.

With a no-frills style of play and an ever-reliable presence on the blueline, Carson Soucy is one of the “ol’ reliable” players who can do what they do in a variety of settings. It’s not often you see a misread play by Soucy, making him consistent like a good hot chocolate.

Even though the Canucks have brought in a few goalies to fill the void, there’s nothing like a good Thatcher Demko save. If he’s healthy enough to play, nine times out of 10, the team will make their way back to him.

Daniel Sprong can be relied upon for a good near 20-goal, over 40-point season. It’s unclear where in the lineup he’ll end up this season, but with a goal like the one he scored against Calgary on September 25th, any line would be happy to welcome him.

Mulled Wine

While mulled wine is typically served closer to Christmas, it’s still enjoyed around the fall season. With an extra kick from the red wine and brandy, this drink packs the slightest bit of punch when it’s needed the most.

Occasionally overshadowed by having offensive firecracker Quinn Hughes as a defensive partner, Filip Hronek’s cannon of a shot certainly shouldn’t be forgotten anytime soon. In his 85 regular season games with the Canucks, fans have seen the defenceman take a plethora of rocket-like shots.

Serving up father energy with the many appearances of his kids cheering “J-T-MILLER,” the aforementioned forward seems like the type who would enjoy some mulled wine after dismantling an opposing team’s offence and scoring a hat-trick.

Once a tough customer to stand up to the Canucks, Derek Forbort now finds himself on Vancouver’s side. The physical, 6’4” defenceman will be looked upon to utilize his size this year with board-shattering hits packing the kind of punch that a wine hangover might bring after a few too many.

Speaking of standing up for teammates, there isn’t a whole lot that can stand in the way of an angry Tyler Myers. When he wants to, Myers can use that 6’8” frame of his to punish the opposing team for even looking rudely at any other Canuck.

Timely like a good glass of mulled wine, Dakota Joshua may be one of the top candidates for most “clutch” on the Canucks. His goals, as well as his insistence to stand up for his teammates, shows his ability to bring an extra ‘kick’ to a game that may need it.