The Vancouver Canucks have announced that the team has acquired forward Steve Bernier from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2010 and a third round pick in 2009.
"Steve Bernier is a highly regarded young player who's enjoyed success early in his career," said Canucks GM Mike Gillis in a statement. "With his right-handed shot he will be a great addition to our top six forward group and an asset to our power play."
The Sabres acquired the 6-foot-2, 225 pounder at the trade deadline as part of the Brian Campbell trade. Campbell has since signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.
"When I got the call I was shocked," Bernier said during a conference call while still on the golf course. "Right now the only thing I am thinking about is getting in shape and having a chance to improve myself with the Vancouver Canucks.
"I didn't see this coming. I got traded last year in February. I thought I was going to stay there (Buffalo) for a little while. It took me by surprise but it's part of the job. I'm going to Vancouver and it's tough not to be happy."
Bernier will hope to find some consistency in Vancouver, something that has eluded him thus far in his career.
"Sometimes you get down and sometimes you get up," he said. "What I am going to try and do is always be at the same level, always play at the highest level I can play.
"Maybe I was up and down too much. I want to change that and be a very effective player for 82 games."
Last season, Bernier, 23, scored 32 points in 76 games, split between Buffalo and San Jose.