Jannik Hansen Jannik Hansen ( born March 15 , 1986 in Herlev , Denmark ) is a Danish professional ice hockey player . He currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . He is the first Danish citizen to play and register a point in an NHL playoff game . Early life . Hansen ' s father , Bent Hansen , is a former Danish national team member . Though his father never pushed him to pursue hockey as a career , Hansen was already skating as a two year old in diapers . Despite his hockey pedigree , he played soccer until he was 10 years old , only then making the switch to hockey . Playing career . Europe and junior . Hansen developed as a player with the Rødovre Skøjte og Ishockey Klub ( Rødovre Mighty Bulls ) of the Danish Oddset Ligaen , where his father had played most of his career . When Jannik turned 15 , he joined the senior team , wearing jersey number 17 , as his father had worn . He played in Rødovre for a season and a half , then was invited to play for the Malmö Redhawks ' s under - 18 team in 2002 – 03 . Hansen played the remainder of the season in Malmö , then returned to Rødovre the following season . When asked why he wished to return home to Denmark , he stated that he would " rather play in a men ' s league , instead of a junior league " . After recording 19 points in 35 games in 2003 – 04 with Rødovre , Hansen was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks , 287th overall , in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft . He was nominated for the Danish Elite League rookie of the year , though the honour ultimately went to Ottawa Senators draft pick Peter Regin . He stayed in Denmark for another season , honouring his contract with Rødovre and recorded a Danish career high 32 points in 34 games on one of the weakest teams in the league . When the Canucks ' management wanted him to play in a league where they would have a better chance of overseeing his development , he asked to be released from his contract and Rødovre let him go . Selected by the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League ( WHL ) in the CHL Import Draft , Hansen moved to North America and played 2005 – 06 with the Winter Hawks . He scored at a point - per - game pace , leading all rookies with 64 points . Professional career . In July 2006 , Hansen signed a three - year , entry - level contract with the Vancouver Canucks and played the 2006 – 07 season with the Canucks ' minor league affiliate , the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League ( AHL ) . During the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs , he was called up by the Canucks and became the first Danish citizen to play and register a point in the NHL playoffs ( Frans Nielsen had scored the first point by a Danish citizen in the regular season earlier that year ) . The point was scored in Game 3 of the first round against the Dallas Stars by assisting on a goal by Jan Bulis . In 2007 – 08 , Hansen was plagued by injuries , initially suffering a wrist injury in the pre - season with the Canucks . After recovering , he was assigned to the Moose , but was quickly re - called by the Canucks in late October . He played in 5 games with the Canucks before being sent back down to the AHL . In January , Hansen was re - injured , suffering a concussion . Despite Hansen ' s injuries , he finished the season with 43 points in 50 games and a team high plus / minus rating of + 23 with the Moose . In 2008 – 09 , Hansen made the Canucks starting roster out training camp and scored his scored his first NHL regular season point on October 11 – an assist on a Ryan Kesler goal against the Calgary Flames . He scored his first goal two games later against Chris Osgood of the Detroit Red Wings . He completed his NHL rookie season with 21 points in 55 games . While competing for a roster spot the following pre - season , Hansen injured his hand during a fight against Edmonton Oilers forward Gilbert Brule . He is expected to return in late - October to early - November . International play . Hansen participated in the 2006 World Championships in Riga , Latvia . Denmark succeeded in remaining in the top pool , and Hansen scored twice in 6 games . After playing for the Manitoba Moose in the 2008 AHL playoffs , Hansen was again able to compete for the Danish national team in the 2008 World Championships held in Quebec City and Halifax . He played in 6 games in the tournament , scoring 2 goals and adding 2 assists . One of his goals was particularly memorable as he rounded Czech defenceman Tomas Kaberle before scoring on Milan Hnilicka in the first period of the opening game of the tournament .