Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault can finally tell Sedin twins apart

VANCOUVER - It took a while, but Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault can finally tell the difference between Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

"It took me three years to tell them apart — and I'm not proud of that," said Vigneault, drawing chuckles from reporters before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final against the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

The Canucks coach finally figured out which Sedin twin was which last season when Daniel was derailed for 18 straight games with a foot injury after blocking a shot.

"The fourth year, when Danny got hurt and was basically out of my sight for about six weeks, I finally figured out what Hank looked like on a regular (basis)," Vigneault said. "And then when I saw Danny again, I was really embarrassed that I couldn't tell them apart — because they don't look alike at all."

Vigneault says the identical twins, who won the NHL scoring title in each of the past two regular seasons and often produce similar point totals in games, have distinctly different personalities.

"Danny is a little bit more quiet and he listens to his brother whereas Henrik's obviously a lot more outspoken and usually speaks for the both of them," Vigneault said.

In the past, the 30-year-old Swedes have been known to play the old twin joke of impersonating each other. In one case, a TV reporter fell victim to their prank during a live game broadcast.

"Are we still talking about this?" Henrik said, wondering why the old topic had come up.

He says Vigneault has a history of forgetting players' first names and that most people can tell the brothers apart.

"It seems really obvious," Henrik said. "It's been the same deal with teachers. ... or coaches. We don't try to look different. We don't even think about (being identical twins). Guys who know us ... It's not tough to tell us apart. I think coaches maybe (have trouble). They don't spend enough time around us in the dressing room so maybe it's not as easy for them.

"But I think for guys that know us, it's not a problem."