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THE MOJ: It's time Elias Pettersson learns to face the music like a professional

Canucks slumping star needs to understand that responsibility and accountability are the price of his big pay cheque
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Elias Pettersson's recent comments regarding the media have drawn some criticism.

Enough already.

That91裸聊视频檚 the first thought that came to my mind when I read the comments of Vancouver91裸聊视频檚 Elias Pettersson following a 2-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club on Monday.

As per Sportsnet91裸聊视频檚 Iain MacIntyre, 91裸聊视频淲hen we asked Pettersson whether confidence is a factor when struggling to score, the alternate captain said: 91裸聊视频淚t's more annoying dealing with the media.91裸聊视频

Simply put, I91裸聊视频檝e had it with Pettersson and his attitude towards the media. And, as a Canuck fan, you should feel the same way.

You91裸聊视频檙e a professional. Believe it or not, dealing with the media is part of your job. The media is your conduit to the fans. The same fans that pay a small fortune to bring their kids to watch you play or purchase your jersey for exorbitant sum.

First off, let me describe to you Pettersson91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频榞ruelling91裸聊视频 schedule when it comes to the media.

At every Canucks home game, a team media rep walks down the row in the press box late in the third period and takes post-game interview requests.
That usually winds up being three or four players who have played a significant role in the game.

A Canucks practice or game day skate at home? Same drill. 

The requested players names are written on a grease board at the front of the dressing room, and when the media arrives to a usually vacated room, the players are brought in from a restricted area to do their three-to-four-minute session. When done, they exit the same way they came.

These are the sessions that you will see on the Canucks website or other media platforms.

You don91裸聊视频檛 need to be a MENSA candidate to realize that Pettersson91裸聊视频檚 play hasn91裸聊视频檛 warranted too many requests this year.

Life on the road is even easier.

There was a time when The Vancouver Sun and The Province would send a beat writer to travel with the team. They would usually be accompanied by a columnist from one of the papers. Cutbacks have eliminated that practice and there are no members of the Vancouver media that cover every single game on the road.

Individuals such as MacIntyre and Thomas Drance of The Athletic cover some games but the media requirements for a Canuck player on the road are almost non-existent.

Yeah, I can understand how it can be so annoying.

I laugh when I think about the level of criticism that Pettersson has faced because of his poor play. Relatively speaking, the 26-year-old has had a free pass.

Since Jan. 1, Pettersson has played in 18 games and scored once while recording six assists. I wonder what it would be like listening to Neil MacRae91裸聊视频檚 noon sportscast on CKNW given that type of production and that type of attitude. MacRae never held back in his commentary and was absolutely ruthless at times. His editorials in which he would rip into 91裸聊视频楾he Sedin Sisters91裸聊视频 were legendary. I guarantee you MacRae would be skewering Pettersson on a daily basis.

I wonder what Tony Gallagher or Ed Willes of the Province would be writing about when it came to Pettersson? I91裸聊视频檓 pretty sure even the late Jason Botchford would be critical of what we are seeing.

The fact of the matter is that Petterson is the highest-paid Canuck and the fifth-highest paid player in the NHL. Unfortunately, you are going to take some heat when you91裸聊视频檙e producing like a third-line forward.

What makes matters worse is that Pettersson is a supposed team leader as his alternate captain status would attest to. Leaders are supposed lead. Leaders are supposed to be accountable. Leaders are supposed to hold others in their group accountable.

There was a time when players would actually remain in their dressing room stall and just do interviews on an informal basis. They would take the bouquets when they won and take the bricks when they lost. They were professionals who held themselves accountable for their performance and their team91裸聊视频檚 performance. They would face the media under the toughest of circumstances and try to explain to the fans 91裸聊视频 those fans that pay their salary 91裸聊视频 why they were not playing to the levels expected of them and the team.

I91裸聊视频檝e been walking into the Canucks dressing room since 1994. I91裸聊视频檝e witnessed what the previous leaders of the hockey club all did. Whether it was Trevor Linden, Markus Naslund or Daniel and Henrik Sedin, or even Bo Horvat, they accepted their role as a leader and dealt with the media in a professional and respectful manner.

Yes, it was tough answering questions some nights but the aforementioned players knew the responsibilities of being a leader and never shied away from that responsibility.

They made their teammates accountable as well.

I remember one time during Naslund91裸聊视频檚 tenure as captain when the Canucks got absolutely drilled at home by like five goals. Post-game, Naslund was the only player in the room answering questions. Midway through his session, he looked over towards Canucks PR man T.C. Carling and told him to get some more players to come out and face the media.

There would be no free passes that night as eventually four or five players came out to talk about the embarrassing loss.

We respected them because of it, and in turn, they respected us.

Now we have someone who finds dealing with the media on a semi-regular basis annoying? Someone who you can tell just despises media availability sessions despite being treated with respect at all times? Someone who was asked ONE question regarding his relationship with J.T. Miller and reacted like a 12-year-old who just had his PS5 taken away? A reaction, by the way, which I91裸聊视频檝e been told angered upper levels of Canucks management.

Give me a break.

What boggles me is that the ownership signed-off on a long-term contract extension for eight years despite some of the red flags that were present.

All of this leaves you wondering what91裸聊视频檚 next? The fans, the media and the pressure aren91裸聊视频檛 going anywhere. Dealing with all of that is part of being a professional and it91裸聊视频檚 part of playing in a Canadian market.

It91裸聊视频檚 something that Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said as much in an interview with MacIntyre that was published on New Year91裸聊视频檚 Eve.

91裸聊视频淚 believe in him. I believe that he's capable. (But) he needs to mature and understand that there are certain expectations and it does not get easier. And you need to face the music when things don't go well,91裸聊视频 said Allvin.

It91裸聊视频檚 time for Elias Pettersson to learn to accept that fact and deal with it accordingly.

Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob 91裸聊视频渢he Moj91裸聊视频 Marjanovich writes regularly for Black Press Media, brought to you by . For the very best car buying experience, be sure to





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