Former Vancouver Canucks left winger Gino Odjick has died, the team announced Sunday. He was 52.
“Gino was a fan-favorite from the moment he joined the organization, putting his heart and soul into every shift on and off the ice,” said Francesco Aquilini, Canucks chairman and governor. “He inspired many and embodied what it means to be a Canuck.”
Rest in peace 💙 pic.twitter.com/Jg1UDO4pFe
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 16, 2023
Odjick made Vancouver his home, and hockey fans in the city embraced him as they’ve embraced few other players in Canucks history.
A bona fide heavyweight enforcer during his playing days, Odjick is forever tied in the minds of Canucks fans to Pavel Bure. Bure and Odjick were both outsiders when they arrived in Vancouver, but found each other and developed a special bond — with Odjick serving as Bure’s confidant, frequent on-ice protector and linemate.
Odjick, who is among those Canucks players in the Ring of Honor, made Vancouver his home after his playing days. He was frequently seen around town and at the rink every game day, still sporting Canucks gear and supporting the club.
7 years ago Odjick was ailing, battling a rare illness called AL Amyloidosis, Canucks fans rallied to support him — gathering at the Vancouver hospital where he was receiving treatment. It was a testament to the special bond shared between a fanbase and one of their favorite Canucks of all time.
Despite being given weeks to live by doctors back in 2015, Odjick battled back. At the start of the 2019-20 campaign, Odjick skated onto Rogers Arena ice in full equipment as part of the club’s 50th-anniversary celebrations. His presence brought the house down, as fans regaled him once again with chants of “Gino! Gino! Gino!”
Odjick appeared in 444 games for the Canucks and leads all skaters in franchise history by penalty minutes.
(Photo: AP Photo / The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)
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