“Tough guy with a good heart”

Hundreds of fans cheer in support of Vancouver Canucks' enforcer Gino Odjick outside Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday June 29, 2014. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Supporter of the president is cheered by hundreds of supporters Vancouver Canucks‘ enforcer Gino Odjick outside Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday June 29, 2014. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Gino Odjick was a beloved Vancouver Canucks player between 1990 and 1998. died at the age of 52 on Sunday.

The news was first reported by Gino’s sister, Dina, who shared her brother’s passing via Facebook.

“Our hearts are broken. Dina wrote, “Our hearts are broken. My brother Gino Odjick is gone for the spirit realm.”

Odjick’s passing was announced on the broadcast during the Canucks-Hurricanes matchup, with team chairman and governor Francesco Aquilini issuing a statement post-game.

“Gino was a fan favourite from the moment he joined the organization, putting his heart and soul into every shift on and off the ice,” Aquilini said.

“He inspired many and embodied what it means to be a Canuck,” Aquilini continued. “Personally, he was a close friend and confidant, someone I could lean on for advice and support. He will be deeply missed.”

Canucks, too released an interview clip via social media of vice-president of hockey operations Stan Smyl, who also shared his condolences to his one-time teammate’s family. The two played one season together in 1990-91 — Odjick’s rookie campaign.

“He was a friend to my, and to you, and all his supporters here in B.C. Smyl added that the same was true for North America as well. “He was a very special individual. On the ice, what did he had to do, but off the ice he was one of the kindest human beings that I’ve met and played with.”

The rest of the hockey community also took to social media to share their thoughts and feelings regarding the former Canucks’ passing.

Ethan Bear, who opened the scoring for Vancouver during its 4-3 victory over Carolina, potted his third goal of 2022-23 shortly after Odjick’s death was announced. Post-game, the young defenseman felt emotional as he spoke candidly about his relationship with Indigenous Canadians.

Peter Leech, Odjick’s longtime friend and mentor, took him to the medical clinic on Sunday to have his legs re-bandaged. But Odjick fell upon arrival at the clinic, and was quickly treated by nurses. .

Later, it was revealed that the Maniwaki native, Que., suffered a severe heart attack.

“I was there for the whole thing,” Leech explained to Postmedia. “He had a heart attack, couldn’t recover from it. We knew this day was going to come, we didn’t know when. We were hoping much later.”

Odjick was diagnosed with AL Amyloidosis — a condition where proteins form deposits on the heart, eventually causing it to be unable to function — in 2014. Although he was given only a few months to live, his prognosis was significantly improved by the first-class medical professionals.

The 12-year NHL veteran suffered two previous setbacks from the disease. His most severe incident occurred last year and required chemotherapy treatment. A leg infection caused by the disease occurred in the past and doctors had to bandage it.

But Odjick’s appointment, which was supposed to be routine, quickly turned serious for everyone involved.

“He collapsed in the clinic, thank god the nurses were there. They worked on him for 45 minutes,” Leech said. “It was tough to watch.

“I’ve had a few good cries already. I think it will probably hit me some time later.”

In 1990, the Canucks selected the forward at 6’3 and 224 lbs. He played 444 career games for the team. Over eight seasons, he recorded 46 goals, 98 point and 2,127 penalty minute totals.

Odjick enjoyed his best season in 1993-94, posting career highs in goals (16) and points (29) en route to Vancouver’s second of three Stanley Cup Final berths.

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