The Semiamoo Ravens’ third jerseys – with a logo designed by Semiahmoo First Nation artist Roxanne Charles – were unveiled last May by the minor hockey association. The logo will be incorporated into the jerseys of the Surrey Eagles, Chilliwack Chiefs and White Rock Whalers during games on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 (Contributed graphic)
Odjick earned every inch of the love Vancouver fans gave to him
It’s the date a legend was born.
It’s the date that Gino Odjick made his Vancouver Canucks debut in Wednesday night game versus the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pacific Coliseum.
Not much was known about the 21-year-old callup from the team’s American Hockey League farm club in Milwaukee. There was no internet to watch game footage or look up a scouting report. The Canuck wearing jersey #66 was basically a no-name.
That was about to change in a hurry.
Odjick first fought Dave Manson of the Hawks at the 3:25 of the third period, then for good measure, went at it with Stu Grimson at 15:31.
The bouts against two of the tougher customers in the league served notice that things would be different moving forward in Vancouver.
The impact that it had on those at the game was immediate but what made it even more impactful with the fan base was that it was — at the time — one of those rare Canuck games that was televised.
Odjick quickly endeared himself to the Canucks faithful as that enforcer that they never had. He took on all comers in that role but there was more to it than that.
He was a character armed with intelligence and wit as evidenced by his debut.
After getting tossed for his fight with Grimson, Odjick turned to Canucks head coach Bob McCammon and stated “Don’t $^@! this thing up without me” as he made his way down the tunnel to the dressing room.