{allcanada} CANUCKS WINGER RAYMOND MISSES RETURN BECAUSE OF 'PAPERWORK'

VANCOUVER -- Mason Raymond missed his planned return to the Vancouver Canucks lineup Thursday after a severe back injury in the playoffs cost him 24 games this season.

"Paperwork with the league," was all a team spokesman would say when the forward from Cochrane, Alta., didn't take the pre-game skate.

Raymond, 28, was expected to return against the Nashville Predators after the June 13 injury knocked him out of the Stanley Cup final.

He suffered a frightening vertebrae compression fracture when sent backwards into the corner boards after a Game 6 hit by Johnny Boychuck of the Boston Bruins.

The injury forced Raymond to wear a corset to stabilize his back prior to a long rehabilitation.

He had been skating in practice with Cody Hodgson and Jannick Hansen on the Canucks' third line.

Christmas Music, DVD's, Books, Gifts
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman73/christmas.html

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99

Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html