Thank you, Canucks

The last time the Canucks were in the finals was in 1994, and I know you’re thinking, “Yes, yes I know. It’s the most quoted line on Sportsnet and TSN”. For me, memories of 1994 are not clear. I vaguely remember watching Game 7 but there was no real emotional investment into that game. Why? Well, because I was only 6. Over the past 17 years, my emotional attachment to the Vancouver Canucks has grown. Years of watching the Canucks miss the playoffs or make the playoffs to reach no further than the second round has left me dying for some hockey magic. I bet a lot of people know exactly how I feel. It has been hard being a Canucks fan because of all the underachieving and all the drama that has happened with the organization. For some reason, misfortune seemingly follows this organization – the Brasher incident, the Bertuzzi punch, injuries and even the falling out with the Canucks first ever superstar, Pavel Bure. Canuck fans have gone through a lot more over the years –   I only know and understand the things before 1994 from the memories of others, but for the years  since I have been front and center; I’ve been part of the ride every step of the way. To say it’s been a roller coaster would be cliché, and an understatement. We all know that.

To think that the Vancouver Canucks are actually in the Stanley Cup finals and are the favorites to win is a surreal feeling, like it’s not really happening … but it is! I have heard the question countless times, “Is this the Canuck team that finally wins the cup?” and I understand what they are asking – is this the group of guys who actually pulls it together to win? To me, that question gives me the impression that people are separating the teams from different years, which would make sense. But in my mind the question isn’t “is this the team?” but “will the Canucks finally win?” What I mean by this is simple, I don’t view rosters from different years as different teams. To me they are the same team – a team that has made itself into what it is today. For example, Trevor Linden is retired, but the Sedins constantly talk about how much they looked up to Trevor and how he impacted their play, and likewise, Trevor gained his experience from past Canuck players. Former Canucks have played a huge role in creating the team that is on the ice today.

I know it won’t happen, but whenever I envision the Canucks winning the Stanley Cup, I always picture past Canucks players like Linden, Ronning, Smyl, Kurtebach, and even players like Morrison and Bertuzzi, joining the current team on the ice to celebrate the cup win. In my mind they deserve it; they have played huge roles in building the team we have today through the experience, effort and knowledge they passed on to newer Canuck players. Even though we have never really had Gretzky-like players in our organization, I think what the Canucks have done this season with the ring of honour has been great. Players we have had in our organization over the years may not have been important to the NHL or hockey history, but they are important to Vancouver, and that is all that really matters.

As I stated earlier, I don’t remember too much from 1994, but I do remember one thing fairly well. I remember a sign I got from Subway that said, “Thank You, Canucks,” with the 1994 Canucks logo on it. I don’t really think I understood this sign until now. After everything I have experienced as a Canucks fan, the good and bad, I am happy beyond words that the Canucks are in the finals and are ready to give it everything they have to win. We experienced this at the Olympics – the power that sport has to bring people together, whether they are friends, countrymen, or even families. I think all of us have been able to raise our heads higher these last 16 months because of what Canadian athletes have accomplished. From what I have seen, it hasn’t been an arrogant cockiness; it has been a humble confidence and pride (the good kind). I think this trip to the finals has made people thankful to be British Columbian; I know it has for me. After everything we have gone through as Canuck fans, I don’t think it is quite possible for fans to get arrogant or prideful (the bad kind) if the Canucks do win. All we will need to do to bring us down to earth is look at the amount of Championships other teams like Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton have, and that does it for me.

On Tuesday, it was officially announced that Manitoba will get the NHL back. To see how happy people are in that province made me reflect on the Canucks, and how privileged I am to have a team like the Canucks represent my province. I love British Columbia – it is my home, and again, I am thankful we have such a classy organization and great group of guys representing us on the biggest stage of the hockey world. Canadian, Swedish, American, German … It doesn’t matter because WE ARE ALL CANUCKS! Make us proud boys! Enjoy the games Vancouver!

… and please, stay classy … no riots, win or lose!