Canucks takes on the challenge of changing culture and supports Patrik Allvin’s plan

VANCOUVER – When it comes to self-improvement, like many things, it’s easier to promise than to deliver. How many New Year’s resolutions didn’t make it through January? Or New Year’s Eve?

But as for Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin’s mission this season, to push players to improve the culture by working every day to put the team ahead and sacrificing whatever it takes to win is, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes say they are wholeheartedly on board.

“Absolutely,” Pettersson, the 23-year-old center, said Monday. “I mean, that’s what it all boils down to. It doesn’t matter if I play my best game, if we don’t win I’ll still be mad. It’s all about this. He’s trying to create a winning culture and it’s good to be a part of that.”

Hughes, the 22-year-old defender, said: “I think that’s a big deal for me. I don’t have to be anyone but myself, but I want to win and whatever I have to do to achieve that, I’ll try.”

Speaking to reporters at the Canucks’ annual Jake Milford fundraiser at Northview Golf Club in Surrey, Hughes said he believes players will embrace the challenge of changing the culture, which Allvin issued head-on at last spring’s exit meetings, after Vancouver missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons.

“I think it’s already been heard,” he said. “I think the boys came to camp in good shape. Everyone has already done their bike test and just asked for the numbers they said it was pretty good. I think everyone really dialed in this year.”

The Canucks will undergo a medical and further tests on Wednesday before opening training camp on the ice on Thursday in Whistler.

Culture is being discussed around the Canucks this season as if the hockey team were a cheese factory or the National Film Board.

But again, it is easier to discuss than to change.

Veteran Canuck leadership like JT Miller, Luke Schenn and Tyler Myers have all talked about winning and the mindset and sacrifice it takes, but nothing improves without universal buy-in, especially among younger stars of the team.

Pettersson and Hughes, drafted a year apart, one a Calder Trophy winner and the other a runner-up, have tremendous influence.

After a dismal start last season (four goals in 28 games) that mirrored the team’s start and contributed to the December 5 firing of coach Travis Green and general manager Jim Benning, Pettersson exploded in the second half with 26 goals and 51 points in his last 44 games under new coach Bruce Boudreau.

He was also sometimes nudged on the wing and jerked up and down the first three lines by Boudreau, but was productive where and with whom he played.

Hughes, who like Pettersson missed the first half of training camp while waiting for a new contract, took his overall game to a higher level. The dynamic skater improved his defensive play but still contributed 60 assists and 68 points, breaking long-standing franchise records for a defender while averaging a 25:15 ice time.

During the offseason, Hughes told Boudreau he could switch from his natural left flank to right defense if needed, and the coach told Sportsnet Friday the Canucks will try Hughes at training camp there. Boudreau is expected to pair Hughes with Oliver Ekman-Larsson in what could give the Canucks a true No. 1 pairing, capable of eating big minutes in all situations.

Hughes said Monday he’s spent the off-season preparing to work at right. Training partners at his developmental coach father’s elite camp in Michigan included Quinn’s brothers Jack and Luke, Dylan Larkin, Zach Werenski, Trevor Zegras, Cole Caufield and Matty Beniers, among others.

“I started working on different packages over the summer and I think there are more things I can do offensively on the blue line on the right,” explained Hughes. “Sometimes I stand on the left.”

Hughes said he played right defense as a youth but was moved to left flank for his two seasons at the University of Michigan.

“It’s probably more difficult in the neutral zone where I collect a pass (with the backhand) and can’t just go up the wall,” he said of playing down the right. “But I think in other aspects, see everything on my forehand, I’m in the O-zone and (I can) take a step and take a slapshot, go in. And I don’t think anyone saw me on the right side, so they don’t know what to expect. I think I might surprise some people, but we’ll see. I would definitely like to try it for some exhibition matches.”

The Canucks’ preseason begins Sunday with split-squad games, home and away, against the Calgary Flames.

“I like to think I learned a lot from last season,” said Pettersson. “And so I’m just trying to think of the positives and hopefully a better start to this year.”

Pettersson gave a one-word answer for the stark difference between his first and second halves: “Confidence.”

What does he like best about his team?

“I like our creativity,” said Pettersson. “There are a lot of attacking people out there so I think we can create chances on all four lines. The correct answer, I don’t know. But I think the second part (of the season) shows that if we play as a team, we can compete with the best teams in the league, which is the main goal – to reach the playoffs.”

It is by this success or failure that all Canucks are judged.