The Vancouver Canucks had a living, breathing piece of their history in attendance at Rogers Arena on Saturday.
Ernie Dougherty, a member of the inaugural Canucks squad that played the 1945-46 season, was introduced to the crowd during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is the last living player from that frst-ever Canucks team. The game Saturday was just 11 days after he celebrated his 97th birthday. The crowd in attendance gave him a loud ovation after he was announced.
Welcomed back, Ernie Dougherty!
A member of the 1945-46 Vancouver Canucks, Ernie is with us celebrating his 97th birthday!
A local kid from Vancouver's Eastside, Dougherty was a seldom-used forward on the inaugural Canucks. In a 2019 interview with the Vancouver Sun , he described himself as "strictly a utility player" for 1945-46. Later, he played for a handful of teams in many parts of the United States and eventually landed with the Nottingham Panthers in England. On Saturday, though, he was back home.
