“I will believe where all those before me have doubted. I will always endeavour to uphold the prestige, honour and respect of my team.”

That was the motivational speech Roberto Luongo would listen to on repeat as he strolled Vancouver’s seawall.

Jason Botchford summarizes what may have been the goalie’s finest moments in his career, proving Luongo is a class act.

“It may have been different than than his 17 overtime saves against San Jose in the playoffs, Game 7 against Chicago, or his 2007 postseason. But it was no less memorable.

“That’s because it was about more than the game. It was about friendship. It was about class, unselfishness and putting ego aside. It was about maturity, and mutual admiration. And it was about the team, above all else.”

“There’s ups and downs in this business. Mike Smith (Phoenix goaltender) was a client of mine and he bounced around and couldn’t stick with teams. Look at him last night and he was incredible. Ryan started his season late then he had some issues and had some other things. You have to look at the total picture.”

“I don’t want to be one of those guys who is going to stand in the way of anything. I always want to put the team ahead of me first. I don’t want to be one of those selfish guys.” 

— Roberto Luongo told reporters he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause if asked by the Vancouver Canucks management.

Do you think they will ask him to?

The unfortunate upside to being eliminated — Exam grades won’t drop

Is there a “Canucks effect” on exam grades? Columnist Gord Clark seems to think so.

He found that “in 2007-08, the year the Canucks weren’t a distraction, the number of kids who got a C-plus or better on their provincial exams spiked from the year before in nine out of 12 courses where data was available. In seven of 12 courses, 2007-08 was the year out of the five when the highest percentage of kids achieved a C-plus or better.

“The reverse effect could be seen last year, when marks dropped from 2009-10 in seven of the 12 courses, while in five of the courses the percentage of kids who got a C-plus or better was the lowest of the five years.”

It took ten months, 87 games, a goalie controversy and several trades, but the Canucks find themselves beginning this offseason in just about the exact same place they began the last one.

(Except for the playoff series that never were.)

What do you think the Canucks have to do now to carve an identity for themselves?

“You have no idea how incredibly difficult that is because of the amount of respect that we have for Roberto as a goalie and a professional and as a man. There’s no question that was probably the most difficult decision Alain has had to make in our tenure here.”

Time to stop calling Cory Schneider the backup

“In a decision that is sure to have lasting implications, head coach Alain Vigneault tapped Schneider instead of Roberto Luongo, once the captain and the core of the team, in the Canucks critical win-or-go-home Game 4,” writes The Province’s Jason Botchford.

“It’s unclear when Luongo’s next start will be, but if it’s for Tampa Bay, no one will be surprised. What seems implausible now is that Luongo is back in Vancouver next year.”

(Source: faptron)

“I felt good this morning, so we’ll see how I feel tonight.”

— Daniel Sedin said he expects to play in Game 4 tonight.

CONFIRMED: Cory Schneider to start in Game 4

Daniel Sedin remains a “game-time decision.”

Is the Roberto Luongo era in Vancouver over?

“Whoever starts, the team is moving forward with Cory Schneider in its plans. The Canucks don’t want to trade him. Would you?

“A future with Schneider means Luongo isn’t likely to ever regain his seat as the definitive No. 1 goalie in Vancouver. That’s not something he’s going to embrace, no matter how well these two players work together. He’s a workhorse, and fiercely competitive.”

“It’s nerve-wracking to not be out there and not help the team. I understand the fans now.”

— Daniel Sedin on sitting on the sidelines