Canucks' Matthias loves Canadian hockey market

The Vancouver Province profiles Shawn Matthias from his brief time with the Canucks since being dealt from the Florida Panthers, noting he and coach John Tortorella seem to complement each other well.

Matthias, on the move from Florida:

“I was there for a long time and I did enjoy my time, but it was time for a change,” admitted Matthias, who stressed he never formally asked for a trade.

“That article that came out, whatever, there were lots of rumours and you try not to pay attention to that. I played hard. Florida was in a rebuild and has so many promising young players. I guess I wasn’t part of the rebuild, but I’m happy to be here.

“It’s definitely different playing in Canada. Canadians are passionate about hockey, and that’s nice. Florida has good fans, too, but it’s special being a Canadian kid playing in Canada.

“And it’s definitely a change going out. I’ve been recognized more in these two weeks than in Florida. They love their Canucks.”

Source: Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province