Ryan Kesler didn’t want part in Vancouver Canucks rebuilding
By Josh Sanchez
On Friday, the Vancouver Canucks traded away 29-year-old forward Ryan Kesler to the Anaheim Ducks. While Canucks fans would have liked to see Kesler remain in a Vancouver uniform, it is a trade that has to have Kesler feeling happy.
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The Canucks were in the rebuilding phase and that is not something a player of Kesler’s caliber wanted to be a part of at this stage of his career.
Kesler admitted as much when speaking to the media as he was announced as the newest member of the Ducks.
“Last year, the season was tough on all the players who play for the Canucks. I hate losing, and that season was painful, to be honest,” Kesler said, via the team’s official website. “The fact that they’re in a rebuild and looking to get younger, and years away from being a contender, it was just time for me to move on and win, and hopefully take home a championship.”
As Kesler closed the previous statement off with, his sole focus is bringing home a title.
“Today was a start of a new chapter in my life,” said Kesler. “For me and my family, it’s a positive move. We’re excited to be going to Anaheim, but at the same time, we’ve called Vancouver our home for the past 11 years. We have friends on the team, friends in this city, and the organization has treated us very well.
“But I’m going to Anaheim to win a championship. That’s going to my sole goal, and my team’s sole goal.”
It has to be great for Kesler to be on a team like the Ducks his frustrating time in Vancouver, and now it is up to him to make the most of being on the roster of a contender.