Bruins' Neely has ties to Vancouver, too

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Cam Neely is coming home to where his NHL career started in the hopes he can achieve the one goal he failed to attain as a player.

The Boston Bruins president was born on nearby Vancouver Island and grew up a Canucks' fan in suburban Maple Ridge. He was drafted ninth overall by Vancouver in 1983, but was traded after three seasons to Boston, where the power forward built a Hall of Fame career that was cut short by injuries -- and without a Stanley Cup.

"Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to do it in a uniform," Neely said, "but hopefully I can do it in a suit."

And what better way to do it then against the team he grew up cheering for and which traded him away on his 21st birthday on June 6, 1986. The 25th anniversary of that deal, regarded by many Canucks fans as the worst in franchise history, coincides with Game 3 in Boston tomorrow. It will be the city's first Stanley Cup Finals game since Neely's last in 1990.

"It was an interesting birthday gift that I was given," Neely said.

There is no question where his allegiance now lies, though Neely admits to keeping close tabs on his old team. And the parallels of both teams trying to end long Cup droughts -- 39 years for Boston, and Vancouver still looking for its first since entering the league in 1970 -- isn't lost on him either.

"Coming back to Vancouver, obviously got some family and friends excited about it as well . . . Being a former player, growing up here," Neely said. "It's an interesting matchup, but it's exciting for sure." -- AP