For the third consecutive year GiantsBeat.com is proud to offer Vancouver Giants fans the opportunity to see their team on the road. Due to the Olympic schedule causing some schedule changes for the Giants we are only able to offer a limited number of trips this season.

The first trip being offered heads to Kelowna on October 24 to see the Giants take on the Silvertips at the Everett Events Center. We will be selling tickets at the Giants games.

Trip #1 – October 24 vs. Kelowna Rocketss – $95.00

Pick-up location(s): Pacific Coliseum
Coliseum Departure: 12:00 pm          
Coliseum Arrival: 2:00 am

Please note: purchases are cash only.

If you have any questions about our trips contact Lance via This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Vancouver Giants search for a new assistant coach had them searching across the country, but in the end they just ended up going across the rink. Chad Scharff, who played for the Giants for five season from 2002 until 2007 was named as Craig Bonner’s replacement today at a press conference.

“This appointment is really about keeping the job within the Giants family,” said Giants GM Scott Bonner.

Scharff was released from the Giants as a 20-year-old as the team was over the Western Hockey League limit of overagers, but at the time indicated an interest in getting into the coaching game. Scharff returned home to Alberta to play Junior A but quickly returned to the Lower Mainland to begin working as an assistant coach in the Minor Hockey ranks.

But the determining factor in the hiring may have been Scharff’s familiarity with the Giants’ systems and the strong work ethic he was known for during his career.

“Chad knows our routines, our systems and our culture, which made him a good fit and a worthy candidate,” said Head Coach Don Hay.

Scharff replaces Craig Bonner who left his dual role as assistant coach and general manager to take over the Kamloops Blazers as GM.

For the first time in Vancouver Giants history, the Russians are coming. Well, a Russian is coming – and a Slovak too.

With the 51st pick in the 2008 CHL Import Draft the Giants selected Mikhail Fisenko, a 6’ 180 lb 18-year-old forward who played for Moscow Dynamo in the Russian second division last season and was a member of the Russian squad for the ADT Challenge. Fisenko will be the first Russian player to suit up for the Giants in their eight year history.

"Mikhail is a player who is bringing a valuable amount of experience to our organization", says Giants General Manager Scott Bonner. "We look forward to having him come into our line-up and make an immediate impact this season."

Seven selections later the Giants added Andrej Kudrna, another 6’ 180 lb forward, out of the Slovakian under-20 league. In the 2006-07 season Kudrna scored 56 points in 55 games and finished with a +39 rating while playing for the under-18 team. Born in 1991, Kudrna will qualify as a 17-year-old this season so he could play a total of four seasons in Giants colors.

"Andrej is a player we are looking forward to having in our line-up the next couple of years," adds Bonner. "We have had some good success with players from Slovakia in the past and we hope Andrej can carry on that tradition."

The Giants needed to fill both of their European player cards following the graduation of Mario Bliznak and the expected assignment of Michal Repik to the American Hockey League next season – provided he does not earn a roster spot with the Florida Panthers.

Both players are represented by J.P. Barry and will be draft-eligible next June. For more information on these two players join the discussion in the Vancouver Giants forum.

The Vancouver Giants have been eliminated from the Western Hockey League following a 3-1 loss to the Spokane Chiefs Monday night. The Chiefs took the second round series 4 games to 2 and now move on to face the Tri-City Americans.

Despite the loss the Giants can take pride in winning their third consecutive 100-point season and B.C. Division title. The Giants will now turn their attention to the WHL Bantam Draft which is scheduled for May 1st in Calgary. The Giants own the 20th overall pick in the first round. The Giants will also be able to draft two new European players in the import draft.

There are a number of positives the Giants can take out of the 07-08 season. Evander Kane emerged as a legitimate scoring threat and given his age he should turn into one of the league's elite forwards. Management was able to convince three players five players playing Junior A to join them and all could be an integral part of the team next season. Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Garry Nunn, Adam Basford, Travis Gorman and Bronson Maschmeyer are all eligible to return next season.

The Giants are sure to lose a number of players to graduation or the pro ranks this summer. Garet Hunt, Mario Bliznak and RJ LaRochelle are all finished their WHL careers after completing their 20-year old season. Team captain Spencer Machacek, Michal Repik, Pierro-Zabotel, Mike Berube, Craig Schira and Chris Cloud all could find themselves playing elsewhere next season. Repik is expected to join the Florida Panthers system while Machacek and Pierro-Zabotel could find themselves competing for a job in the American Hockey League next season.