Canucks honor Odjick with moment of silence, pregame ceremony

Gino Odjick, who died Sunday at age 52, was honored by the Vancouver Canucks with a moment of silence and pregame ceremony ahead of their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Arena on Wednesday.

Vancouver players wore jerseys with "Odjick" and his No. 29 on the back during warm ups, and a sticker with his number on the back of their helmets for the game. Former teammates, including Stan Smyl, his first linemate, and Trevor Linden, came onto the ice wearing Odjick jerseys for a ceremonial faceoff.

Ron Delorme, who was the Canucks scout that insisted Vancouver pick Odjick in the fifth round (No. 86) of the 1990 NHL Draft, dropped the puck.

Odjick played the first eight of his 12 NHL seasons in Vancouver. He had 64 goals, 73 assists and 2,567 penalty minutes in 605 NHL games with the Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers. He also played 44 playoff games, all with Vancouver, scoring four goals and an assist.

"Gino Odjick was more than a hockey player. He was a kind soul. He was a strong leader. He loved the community, and he loved the Vancouver Canucks," fromer Canucks teammate Pavel Bure said in a video message. "He was also my dearest friend. I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to Gino's family, friends, and community. While I deeply mourn his passing, I can't help but put smile in thinking of how touched Gino would be to witness this outpouring of support from the Vancouver community. Thank you, Vancouver. Gino loved you."
Odjick's impact went beyond his role as a fierce, physical forward who stuck up for teammates on the ice. Born and raised on the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg outside of Maniwaki, Quebec, the largest Algonquin Nation in Canada, Odjick was also a role model for First Nations and Indigenous hockey players everywhere, including current Canucks defenseman Ethan Bear.
The Canucks plan to honor Odjick's impact further at their First Nations Celebration game, March 2 against the Minnesota Wild.
Odjick was diagnosed with AL (Primary) Amyloidosis, a rare terminal illness that affected his heart, in 2014.