Vancouver Canucks goalie Collin Delia (60) is scored on by Edmonton Oilers’ Tyson Barrie (22) as Dylan Holloway (55) watches the puck go in the net during second period preseason action in Edmonton on Monday, October 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Vancouver Canucks fan has last word on NHL team’s legacy of losing
Obituary expresses his disappointment
Russell George Atkins was a Vancouver Canucks fan until the very end.
Unfortunately, being a fan of the NHL team means being disappointed all your life – three trips to the Stanley Cup finals in 52 years (and most likely 53) and no Stanley Cups.
A memorial for Atkins was placed on the Campbell River Mirror’s website Jan. 13 and concluded with the ultimate epitaph for the sadsack team which in recent weeks has piled more embarrassment on a rich legacy of disappointment with the very public firing of fan-favorite coach Bruce Boudreau during another losing season.
READ MORE: Bruce, there he goes: Struggling Canucks fire head coach Boudreau, hire Tocchet
The loving tribute to Atkins concluded with a reflection of his unending wait for the ultimate hockey prize for his favorite team:
“Russell would’ve liked to have had 6 of the Vancouver Canucks to be his pallbearers so they could have let him down one more time.”
READ MORE: THE MOJ: For many Canuck fans, the hope candle has stopped burning
The story of Atkins’ feelings of disappointment is getting around as his obituary had more than 5,000 views Wednesday.
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