Vancouver Canucks Invite Forward Steve Begin to Training Camp

According to a Reseau des Sports (RDS) report, the Vancouver Canucks have invited forward Steve Begin to training camp on a professional tryout contract.

"I'm very happy. It's a last chance for me and I enjoy it," Begin said in French. "This is a team that fits perfectly with my style of play " 

Begin has been a regular in the National Hockey League since 2001, but spent most of the 2010-11 season with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League, the Nashville Predators' minor league affiliate.

Described as a physical, agitating forward, Begin, 33, joins Owen Nolan and Todd Fedoruk at Canucks training camp on tryouts.

The battle for fourth-line positions is shaping up to be an intriguing one with only Maxim Lapierre's spot at center secure.

Along with Nolan and Fedoruk, free-agent signings Byron Bitz, Steven Pinizzotto, Mark Mancari and Mike Duco, as well as Aaron Volpatti, are all contenders for the winger positions.

Victor Oreskovich is still unsigned by the Canucks and he flanked the right wing position on the fourth line throughout the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs.

It is believed that Oreskovich is seeking a one-way contract from the Canucks, but the Canucks are only willing to offer a two-way contract to maximize flexibility.

With no arbitration rights, the invitation of Begin to training camp puts more pressure on Oreskovich to accept the two-way contract offer.

Last training camp, the Canucks invited forwards Brendan Morrison and Peter Schaefer.