Fedoruk fails to stick with Canucks

THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER -- Veteran tough guy Todd Fedoruk has failed to land a job with the Vancouver Canucks.

Fedoruk and veteran Swedish defenceman Anders Eriksson were both released by the Canucks on Friday.

Vancouver also sent Nicklas Jensen, the team's first-round pick in this year's NHL draft, back to Oshawa of the OHL.

Fedoruk, 32, didn't play hockey last season and in the past he battled alcohol and drug problems. The native of Redwater, Alta., said he came to camp clean and sober.

"That year away from hockey I could just focus on the thing that was dragging me down for years," he said in an earlier interview. "There were so many people behind me in the decision to come back and play."

In 545 NHL games with six teams Fedoruk had 32 goals and 1,050 penalty minutes.

Two other veterans attending the Canucks training camp, forward Owen Nolan and goaltender Manny Legace, were released earlier.

Players assigned to Vancouver's American Hockey League team in Chicago included goaltender Eddie Lack, forward Mike Duco, defenceman Yann Sauve and centre Jordan Schroeder.

The Canucks play their final exhibition game Saturday at home against the Edmonton Oilers.

Vancouver begins the regular season Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Rogers Arena.