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Gino Odjick has died at 52 years old, his sister announced on Sunday.
Odjick was a fan-favorite enforcer in the NHL, having played 605 games in 12 seasons, including eight seasons with the Vancouver Canucks and four seasons between the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.
“Our hearts are broken,” Dina Odjick said on Facebook. “My brother Gino Odjick has left us for the spirit world.”
Odjick grew up on the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation reserve near Maniwaki, Que. He was given the Indspire Award in 2015, the highest honor given to an individual by the Indigenous community in Canada, for his playing career and all his contributions to Indigenous communities. He was also inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
The Vancouver Canucks drafted Odjick in the fifth round at 86th overall in the 1990 NHL draft. The team confirmed Odjick’s death and said it and the Aquillini family mourn his tragic passing.
“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 Canucks chairman and governor Franceso Aquillini in a statement. “Personally, he was a close friend and confidant, someone I could lean on for advice and support. He will be deeply missed.”
More to come.
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