American Hockey League Honours Former Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Bruce Boudreau In a Major Way

"I think they deserve recognition. Because a lot of times it's the American Hockey League player that makes the young NHL prospect a lot better. And they do it in spite of the fact that they're going to take their job eventually." Boudreau said.

He added, "They teach the young prospects how to be pros, most of that is from the players and not coaches. That's what makes young players so good, it's if they have that AHL pro leadership. The veterans are willing to take a backseat and that can make winners out of young players."

"I can see how Vancouver management works there they did the same thing to me when they wanted me to sign my deal. They put it public; they start to say, 'Hey, if you don't do this, we're going to do this,' and stuff like that As soon as I heard the Rick Tocchet situation, I know exactly what Jim is doing here, and it's almost bullying him into signing the deal." Boudreau said.

He added, "All of a sudden, you get threatened. 'You better sign it, or we're not going to do this. You better sign it, or we're not going to do that.' Me, I wasn't negotiating with any other teams or anything, but I panicked and said, 'Okay, I'm going to sign it right now.'

I just see the same thing sort of happening with Rick, but I think Rick is in a much, much stronger position than I ever was. I think he'll do whatever he feels he has to do for himself."