To say there is a pipeline running from 'Gastown' to Vancouver may be a stretch, but there are plenty of Medicine Hat influences in the makeup of the new breed of Canucks; right from the president down. Aside from Hunter Shinkaruk (1st round, 24th overall 2013) and Curtis Valk (free agent), who are both Tigers grads in the Canucks system, Vancouver regularly trots out a pair of forwards that have roots to the small Alberta town and have beat the odds in making the show.

"I didn't think I'd get to the WHL, or play in the WHL. I thought I was going to try and go the scholarship route. I'd be lying to ya if I didn't say that there was a time where I was done. My dad kept me going through that year and that's one of the best things that ever happened to me...they (Tigers) picked me up in Kindersley, on the bus - heading out east to Saskatoon/PA - and the rest is history. Mike Moore and Bob Green, they kind of found me. Willie (Desjardins) gave me a good chance." - Derek Dorsett 7th round pick, 2006 Columbus Blue Jackets

"It is a pretty special place for me. I had four years there and there's a lot of history and tradition in Medicine Hat." - Linden Vey 4th round pick, 2009 LA Kings

Each hailing from small Saskatchewan towns, each having their size continually questioned, Dorsett and Vey may seem to have more similarities than differences, but each carved out a unique path through Medicine Hat.

Dorsett would play only three seasons in the Hat, after arriving from the SJHL. In only 51 games his first season (2004-05), the Kindersley native would pick up 108 penalty minutes. Throw in 279 the following season, along with 12 points in 13 playoff games and he would skate away at season's end as the Tigers playoff MVP. The post season is what Dorsett looks back on most fondly.

"When playoffs hit in that rink, people are tailgating and cheering you on when you drive into the parking lot. It has to be one of the loudest rinks I've ever played in and when you come out onto the ice they have all of those orange towels waving..." It was the smile on his face which followed, that provided the end to that sentence.

Despite his determination paying off on NHL draft day that year, the season that followed in 2006-07 would no doubt be his best. Not only did he break the 200 penalty minute barrier for the 2nd year in a row, but this time the fan favourite would also get it done offensively, with 19 goals and 45 assists for 64 points. Then, of course, there were the playoffs!

"Maybe my best memory...the WHL final, game 7. It was double overtime and the place started fogging up. They'd have to blow the whistle and guys would have to skate around in circles to lift the fog and I remember that goal going in...it was a big relief." Dorsett's Tigers would reach the Memorial Cup Final, only to lose to Vancouver. He'd share a moment that was special with Trevor Linden, who took time out of his schedule to meet the current incarnation of his former Jr team. The NHL would reunite the pair years later, in that very city. As it would, for Linden Vey.

Vey was watching at that point in the year, a black ace during the Memorial Cup run of 2007. "I was 15 and came up for 1st round, then went back to school and came back for the Memorial cup." But he would leave his mark in Medicine Hat down the road.

However, it's not the CHL Top Scorer Award that he earned in 2011 that stands out right away, nor his 116 point season that led to it. Vey thinks back to the town, the fans and his billets.

"That rink and that city are great for hockey; everything is about the Tigers! Its such a great place to play. You are in your own little world there. Its a small place, you go out in the community and everyone recognizes you. To this day I keep in contact with my billets (Brent and Natalie Sauer) quite a bit. I still talk to them a couple of times a month. I couldn't ask for a better place to play, the people I lived with definitely helped me along and the people I met there were great."

Vey would not only receive all-star recognition in the WHL, but, after making the jump to the pro's, he would collect the same honour in the AHL. While he was again part of the black ace crew on route to a championship, this time with the Stanley Cup winning LA Kings, he would not find a permanent roster spot in Hollywood. Enter the Canucks via trade and once again the Medicine Hat connections.

"You look at Medicine Hat and the tradition: the organization wins a lot; especially for the 8-10 years Willie (Desjardins) was there. They won a couple championships. When Trevor was there, also, they were very successful in Medicine Hat. Those are people you want to be around: winning people. It's good to be here and have that connection."

The "glue" that brings them all together? Perhaps Willie Desjardins. The coach of the Canucks had the respect of Linden, Dorsett, Vey and that quickly became the case with the rest of the Vancouver organization. Which is where we take you next....behind the bench.