Jonathan Aitken admits his youthful exuberance likely sped up his departure from the organization that made him a high first-round pick eight years ago. Aitken, selected eighth overall in the 1996 NHL entry draft by the Boston Bruins, took time to discuss the falling out he had with Providence Bruins head coach Bill Armstrong during a break at Manitoba Moose training camp yesterday.

"We didn't see eye-to-eye on some things and when I did play, he used me as a fill-in forward," said Aitken, a rugged defenceman who signed with the Vancouver Canucks during the off-season. "I'm not the kind of guy to point fingers and say it was all their fault. I was young. It was unfortunate. I asked Boston to loan me out to another team and when they wouldn't, I knew I wasn't going to help myself by sitting in the stands."

Rather than let the situation deteriorate any further, Aitken and his agents Ritchie Winter and Gerry Johannson of The Sports Corporation negotiated a buyout from the Bruins in November of 2000. After failing to find another suitor in North America, Aitken signed with Sparta Praha of the Czech League, where he played 24 games.

"Going to Europe wasn't my first choice, I was looking for another job in the AHL at that time," said Aitken, a 6-foot-4, 230-pounder from Edmonton. "I don't regret going there because it was a good learning experience but it's not a part of my career I'm not particularly proud of."

Looking back, Aitken doesn't feel he was overwhelmed by the high expectations placed on him as a high draft pick.

Wasn't a burden

"I don't know, it wasn't a burden or anything," he said. "But being young and a little bit naive, you might think that you automatically should get that opportunity and that they'd want to give you that opportunity. I thought I was making a progression and obviously it wasn't good enough."

Aitken has a local connection to Manitoba, since he met his wife Kendra while playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The towering blue-liner spent two seasons with the Wheat Kings. Brandon advanced to the WHL championship final in his final season before bowing out to the Portland Winter Hawks, who were led by current Ottawa Senators sniper Marian Hossa.

Aitken spent much of the past two-and-a-half seasons with the Norfolk Admirals, but also got into 41 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last year.

He fully expected to re-sign with the Blackhawks but when July 1 rolled around, his agents got a call from the Canucks, who made a substantial offer.

"It came out of nowhere and my agent couldn't get a hold of me on my cellphone because we were out camping with the in-laws," said Aitken, who has one assist and 70 penalty minutes in 44 career NHL games. "Vancouver was looking for a solid 6th, 7th or 8th defencemen who can play that physical, intimidating role on the back end on a consistent basis. It looked like a good fit."

Moose goalie Alex Auld likes the look of the revamped defence corps.

"The best thing about this year's group is that it's pretty diverse," said Auld. "In the past we've always, right through the organization, (had) the same type of defencemen, good all-around guys who can move the puck well.

"We've lacked the physical presence, with the exception of Marty Grenier for a little bit last year, so it's good that we're going to have all different types of defencemen. That's important."