It’s no secret the Vancouver Canucks need help on the blue line. When the ol’ rumour mill started churning about Jack Rathbone testing free agency, Canucks fans were understandably anxious. After a lengthy will he, won’t he saga  — Rathbone signed.

Rathbone – a fourth-round pick in 2017 – was an immediate impact defender as a freshman for the Harvard Crimson in the 2018-19 season. This past season, his development lept forward, finishing third among NCAA defenders in point per game (1.11) while locking down the opposition’s best on a nightly basis.

Of hockey’s three dimensions – offence, transition, and defence – Rathbone’s most significant impact comes in transition. His puck-rushing ability is a well-known commodity at this point. He’s a pace-setter, upping the tempo by taking on all cha