— Canucks make trade before deadline Team acquires Dallas Stars’ centre Derek Roy for Kevin Connauton and a second round draft pick By PATRICK COLVIN lis wasn’t prepared to wait until the NHL deadline to start making trades, but despite speculation, goalie Roberto Luongo is still a part of the team as of press time. Yesterday morn- ing Gillis swapped defensive prospect Kevin Connauton and a 2018 second- round draft pick for Dallas Stars’ cen- tre Derek Roy. Although most Canucks fans were expecting Gillis to make a trade before the today’s deadline, few had Roy on their radar. But because the team has struggled to find the back of the net due to a depleted forward lineup, most felt that Gillis needed to make some sort of deal. “We're really lacking on our second line with [left-wing David] Booth and [centre Ryan] Kesler out,” said Ben Liv- ingston, an avid Canucks fan and Lan- gara student. Livingston thinks Connauton wasn’t likely to crack the Canucks lineup, but he’s also concerned about whether Roy can stay healthy for a Canucks play- offrun. “I think it’s a good [trade] as long as he’s not in- jury riddled like he was the last couple seasons,” he said. Roy is in his eighth season in the NHL and will offer a veteran presence up front. Canucks fan Shane Adamson pointed out that Roy has shown he could be a 30-goal scorer in the past, although he only has four goals this season. “I think overall it’s a good pick up,” he said. “He’ll be a good replacement for Kesler until he’s back.” Roy will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, which means he is free to sign with any team he wants on July 1. As rumours specu- late that he is looking for $6 million a year, Gillis will need to free up cap space if he has any hope of signing Roy in the off-season. One way to do this would be to trade Luongo. The 33-year-old goaltender has an annual cap hit of $5.8 million and is signed through the 2021-22 sea- son. Since Luongo was pulled in last year’s playoffs, speculation continues about a trade out of Vancouver. Fans watching Monday night’s Ca- nucks-Sharks game at G Sports Bar and Grill were vocal about a potential goalie trade. Jessica Kelly, a bartender and Ca- nucks fan, said she thinks the Canucks should keep Luongo although she feels badly for him. “T don’t think Vancouver has treated him fairly,” she said. “I don’t think he has gotten the credit he deserves.” Kelly said she has little faith that the Canucks will make a Stanley Cup run this year. “But I do have hope,” she said. Gillis was working on more than trades yesterday: he also negotiated a $10-million contract extension for left- winger Chris Higgins, keeping him in the line-up for another four years. Ci: general manager Mike Gil- BEN LIVINGSTON Canucks fan and Langara student EDITOR JULES KNOX a oy — Geen .@ =. THE DAILY VOICE, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2013 8 i ; ' ' i ‘ if : BEN BULMER photo Colby Ho and Gladys Tsang get ready to head up Grouse Mountain for some snowboarding. The mountain will be open until April 28. Skiers happy with snow season Vancouverites enjoy Grouse Mountain because of its prices, location By BEN BULMER t may have felt like summer these last few days, but skiers and snow- boarders still have another month to head up the mountain. Many Vancouverites are pleased that Grouse Mountain has extended its winter season until April 28 because of excellent snow conditions. The moun- tain has received more than 10 metres of snow this year, giving it a good base layer that has carried through to spring. Markus Pichler has been skiing at Grouse since 1968, but he still called this year’s snow conditions “absolutely beautiful.” “Tf the weather’s OK, I stay up four to five hours,” said Pichler, who sus- pects he is the oldest skier on the mountain at 79 years old. Ghyslaine Gatien skis at the moun- tain at least four times a week. She said the mountain is great value and conve- niently located close to her North Van- couver home. “In terms of price, if you compare it to Cypress or Mount Seymour we’re getting very good value for the dollar,” she said. Gatien’s children are part of the Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club, which was founded in 1929 and is one of Cana- da’s oldest ski clubs. Gatien said that although she has been skiing at Grouse for the last four years, she was impressed with this year’s conditions. “Right through to February it was fantastic snow,” she said. “Now it’s starting to get a little bit mushy, but there’s still decent skiing in the morn- ing.” Gladys Tsang said she hits the local mountains four or five times a year, but this will be her first time up Grouse. “The purpose of coming up today is for my nephew to have his first ever lesson,” she said. “For everything in- cluded it’s $80, which is not bad.” Mike Hildeerand has been coming to Grouse for seven years and skis sever- al times a week. He said he likes skiing at Grouse because of its low price and convenience. “T can get a family pass for $1,000,” he said. “That’s two teenagers, my wife and myself.” Hildeerand said Cypress Mountain is too far to drive, but he can take tran- sit to Grouse Mountain. “T usually work nights, so I'll take [transit] in the morning and come up for half a day.” Hildeerand also likes Grouse be- cause the mountain has easy terrain for those just starting out as well as some steep runs for intermediate and advanced skiers. Grouse Mountain is currently open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. GROUSE information OPEN EVERYDAY From 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. FULL DAY LIFT PASS Adult: $58 Youth (13 to 18): $45 Child (5 to 12): $25 Senior (65+): $45 NIGHT LIFT PASS Adult: $48 Youth (13 to 18): $40 Child (5 to 12): $22 Senior (65+): $40 VISITORS PER YEAR 1.2 million people Source: Grouse Mountain Langara basketball player recognized for academic efforts Devin McMurtry played for the best basketball team in the province, but still took time to study for school By DEANNA CHENG hen Devin McMurtry’s long Wi: made him too lanky to play soccer, he never imagined that he’d end up playing for one of the top college basketball teams in the coun- try. But the Surrey native switched sports, and his hard work and determi- nation paid off both in school and on the court. The 20-year-old was recognized as an academic stand out at the All-Cana- dian banquet held at the Canadian Col- legiate Athletic Association’s national championships. “To get where I am today, I’ve had to work really hard athletically so why not transfer that to my academics?” McMurtry said. “Basketball only lasts so long anyways, right? If I can transfer my work ethics to my academics, it will help me for the rest of my life.” Despite injuries in high school, Mc- Murtry never gave up on basketball. “TIl play out all my years of basket- ball right now and then stop,” he said. “There is no going back. The chance of regret is what keeps me playing,” he said. He said he isn’t as naturally athletic as his teammates but works hard on the basketball court. “Devin is very strong. He puts a lot of time in the weight room and builds his body,” said Paul Eberhardt, McMur- try’s coach. “He doesn’t get pushed around easily.” During his first year, McMurtry found it tough to balance basketball practices with school but it be- came easier once he found the rhythm of his schedule. He transitioned from practicing two to three times a week at a Surrey high school to al- most everyday. Eberhardt said McMurtry finds a way to manage his time exceptionally well. “On road trips, ’'d put him in the room with other quiet players or play- ers working on their school work,” he said. “They just stay in and study qui- etly together.” DEVIN MCMURTRY As a third-year player, McMurtry gives back to the team in many ways. One of them is being a mentor to the younger players, helping them out with their skills, said Eberhardt. This attitude is a tribute to previous Langara players who encouraged Mc- Murtry when he was 17 years old and thin. They were competitive but friend- ly, he said. Eberhardt said he is also a flexible player because he can score points or tip the ball in defence. “He gives best effort whether he plays for five minutes or 20,” Eberhardt said. Eberhardt would take “a dozen Devins every year,” he said. This is the last season for McMurtry because it is his last academic year at Langara. Winning the provincials and getting third in the country is a great way to end it, McMurtry said. “[’'m happy where I am right now be- cause I’ve done the best I possibly could.” McMurtry plans to live in Seattle this summer and is hoping to play for UBC or UNBC in the future.