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In some respects, this story is as old as the red line.

Hotshot prospect comes to team armed with press clippings and hotshot prospect experiences some early success, which only adds to the hype.

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But hotshot prospect soon finds out playing in the NHL is a lot more demanding than anyone let on. The game that was always so easy for him is suddenly a struggle. Everything, in fact, is a struggle.

Eventually he’s sent to the minors, where he has to reassess his priorities. Sometimes he comes out the other side a better player. Sometimes he never reclaims that early promise.

I mean, how many times have you read that story in connection with the Canucks? Does the name Cody Hodgson ring any bells? How about Jordan Schroeder? Josh Holden? No matter how good they look, you never know what you have because you’re never certain what’s inside the kid.

Which brings us around to Jake Virtanen.

Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman for the latest episode of Province Sports Radio, with more on Virtanen, the Super Bowl and the Canucks at the deadline:

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