The Vancouver Canucks needed a local backup against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night, a fun story. But, at some point the distance of their AHL affiliate could have real consequences.

Matt Hewitt seems like a good guy. Any of us who played hockey have lived this scenario in our heads a thousand times. In our childish daydreams we somehow end up in the game and become the savior of the game or the series or the entire Vancouver Canucks season. It’s a great story.

But, it could easily become an unfortunate one.

Even the most die-hard, rose-colored glass wearing Vancouver Canucks fan sees the playoffs as a possibility, not a certainty, this year. One throw away game seems insignificant in October, but the points count the same at the end. Each year, teams miss the playoffs by a point or two. Imagine if Hewitt had been called into action against the St. Louis Blues.

Daydreams aside, it wouldn’t have gone well.

I’m not throwing shade here. (Is that still a thing?) Matt Hewitt is a competent goalie. He has done well for the UBC Thunderbirds. He’s better than the vast majority of goalies out there. He played three years of major junior hockey for the Regina Pats and posted a save percentage of .920 last year, over 14 games, for the Thunderbirds.

But, no one would expect him to make the routine saves on Vladimir Tarasenko or Paul Stastny that an NHL goalie is expected to make.

A local backup goalie should be a thing of the NHL past, like smoking between periods and bench-clearing brawls.

The Canucks need an AHL affiliate closer to home. It is nearly 3,700 kilometres to Utica. That is a distance that takes a full day to travel. Canucks call-ups can’t usually be done the day of a game. Any game-day injury means a press box player is in the lineup, or a local backup is on the bench.

There is an argument to be made for an Eastern time zone affiliate given the number of teams and games on that side of the continent. However, 41 games are played at home. Most practices are on home ice. Most time is spent in Vancouver. The odds suggest most injuries will happen, or be diagnosed, from home.

Even with regular call-ups that are no emergency, having to travel a full day to get to Vancouver is more than annoying.

The Vancouver Canucks need a local affiliate.

Aside from travel complications, having an entire organization in the same area makes a lot of sense. The Detroit Red Wings are a model NHL organization. Having their AHL team in Grand Rapids means they have been able to synchronize coaching strategies, surround prospects with the NHL game, and seamlessly integrate AHL talent into their NHL club. Why shouldn’t the Canucks strive for the same system?

Couldn’t Vancouver support an AHL franchise? What about Abbortsford? Seattle is a good sports town, without professional hockey. Are they an option?

I don’t know what is the best solution for the big club. But the AHL affiliate needs to be closer. Until that happens, I’m only a phone call and a Ferry ride away, fellas.