Goodbye to Three Hat Pat

Sad news today because my favourite hockey coach, Pat Quinn passed away today at the age of 71.  I'll never forget the time when some fans and I met him outside of the Pacific Coliseum after the Vancouver Canucks '91-'92 season.  As he signed autographs, the others kept asking him on his outlook for the next season, but when he came to me I asked him, "What kind of gum do you chew?"  He looked at me and laughed.  "Sugarless, anything sugarless," he replied.

Goodbye Pat Quinn.  :-(

'94 Forever!!!

Gino, Gino, Gino!!!

I had a personal training session this morning with Logan Dube at the Steve Nash Sports Club.  She has a scientific approach which makes sense and totally works.  Logan absolutely destroyed my chest with the exercises she gave me today and I saw immediate results!  "Impressive, most impressive..."  :-)

After my workout, I bussed over to the Vancouver General Hospital...

where a flashmob was organized...

to cheer-on former Vancouver Canuck...

Gino Odjick.

We were all shocked by the news of his terminal illness,

so we came down to show our support for the enforcer.

We could see him waving from a window on the top floor as we chanted his name!

He decided to come down to greet the fans...

and thank us for granting his wish.

The crowd went crazy because we all love the big guy!  :-)

Yup, I made sure to wear my jersey too.  ;-)

When I returned downtown, I came by this event at the Vans store!

This was too good to pass-up, but it seemed Lord Vader was not a fan.  Hehe...

The Number 10 is Now Retired!!!

It's about fucken time!  The Vancouver Canucks Organization finally retired my favourite hockey player's number into the rafters of Rogers Arena.  http://globalnews.ca/news/942525/vancouver-canucks-to-retire-pavel-bures-jersey-tonight/

Congratulations Pavel!!!  :-)

Welcome Back BURE!!! :-)

You wanna know who inspired me to play and watch hockey?  This guy, Pavel Bure the Russian Rocket!!!  He's quite possibly the best player ever to have worn a Canucks jersey.  Man, I've missed this guy!  :-)

2012 Canadian Tire NHL Junior Skills

I got up really early this morning because Caroline booked me to work the 2012 Canadian Tire NHL Junior Skills!

The KaiZen Creative Group was put into action at the Canlan Ice Sports North Shore.

Here are some familiar faces from work: Ed, Paul, and Peter!

All of us Ice Ambassadors were dressed in red.

I felt like I was dreaming when I shared the dressing room with Vancouver Canucks Alumni: Dave Babych, Garth Butcher, and Cliff Ronning!!!

UBCP in the house!

I wasn't the only one excited today!

These bunch of kids were raring to go!

Our skills stations all set-up...

Babych talks to the kids...

Oh, and there's Garry Valk beside Babych!

It's time to get started!

Our team leader, Chris gives the kids one last pep talk...

This was my station, Puck Control.

I tried this out too. ;-)

Pass Accuracy...

Shot Accuracy...

And finally, Fastest Skater...

I checked the other rink to see how they were doing.

Cliff talks to our second group of kids...

During a break, a got a photo with Dave Babych! He's still a part of the Vancouver Canucks organization in Player Development.

Cliff Ronning! Cliff owns Base Hockey, a business which creates the perfect stick for a hockey player.

Garth Butcher! Butcher stays busy managing the various pubs and restaurants he owns back East.

And finally, Garry Valk! We still see this guy on Sportsnet providing sports analysis.

Coach Chris Hall runs a hockey training school out in Southampton, Ontario.

Fellow BGers: Peter, Caroline, and me!

Now, this was one lucky kid. He was the only player that arrived during our walk-in session!

He basically had himself a private session with all these former NHLers!

What a dream come true!

Look what I got, an autographed card by all the alumni! Actually, we all got one. LOL!

The KaiZen Creative Group's Cool Team...

One last group shot, but with the Vancouver Canucks Alumni...

This truly was an awesome experience! Working side by side with my hockey heroes was like a dream come true!!!

Big thanks to Caroline and the KaiZen Creative Group for this assignment!!! Gratitude to Ed for providing transport!!!

After work, I went by Heather's Luggage Repair to pick-up my bags.

A month ago, I emailed Heys about the badges being pried-off my two bags, so they directed me to this repair shop.

They were able to reinstall the badges on my two-piece luggage set!

And they did it for...

Big thanks to Heys and to Heather's Luggage Repair for a job well done!!!

In the evening, it was time for Friday Night Lights with Vin!

We all loved Rich's Dallas Stars jersey!

And here's Jay!

Mikey on the bench with York and Glen...

It's Jay again!

My new stick deserved a kiss because it was hot tonight! I bagged 2 goals and got 3 assists with my new weapon!!!