Join us this summer as we count down the top 50 Vancouver Canucks players of all time! #46: Jannik Hansen.
The winger was born in Rødovre, a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark. Growing up, he played for his local team, the Rødovre Mighty Bulls, making his professional debut at the age of 16.
Following his second season with his hometown team, the Canucks selected Hansen in the ninth round of the 2004 NHL Draft. Being a ninth-round pick, it was a long shot for Hansen to ever play in the NHL. Despite the odds, he made his debut three years later during the 2006-07 season.
Making his professional debut in the 2007 NHL playoffs, Hansen recorded his first career point, becoming the first Dane to record a playoff point in the NHL. This came in Game 3 of the first round against the Dallas Stars, assisting a goal scored by Jan Bulis.
For the majority of Hansen’s career as a Canuck, he became a fan favourite for being the underdog, who beat the odds and made it. His work ethic showed on the ice, being a player who brought so much energy into the team’s middle six, which earned him roles in the top six, skating alongside the Sedin’s or with Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond. He was always a workhorse who filled any role needed in the lineup.
The 2010-11 season demonstrated his significance to the team, as he captured the team’s unsung hero award ahead of the Stanley Cup Final run. During those playoffs, Hansen scored three and registered six assists for nine points through the 25 games.
The following season, Hansen recorded a career-high point total of 39, scoring 16 goals and 23 assists through 82 games. This was one of two seasons during his career in which he played a full 82-game season.
On March 1st, 2017, Hansen’s time as a Canuck came to an end as he was traded to the San Jose Sharks for Nikolai Goldobin and a fourth-round pick. He went on to finish out that year and one more as a Shark before leaving the NHL and playing his last year of professional hockey in Russia.
Though Hansen suffered injury problems during a large part of his tenure as a Canuck, he still was a fan favourite, known for his tenacity, speed, and forechecking ability, as well as his prowess on the penalty kill. The Danish winger could truly play on any of the team’s four lines. The work ethic he displayed night in and night out allowed him to beat the odds of going from a ninth-round NHL Draft pick to the 46th player of all time in Canucks history.
Our previously ranked top 50 Canucks of all-time:
#50 – Curt Fraser
#49 – Dave Babych
#48 – Martin Gelinas
#47 – Chris Oddleifson
