Former NHL fan favourite passes away at 52; Leafs legend Tie Domi sends out touching tribute on social media
On Sunday, we learned the unfortunate news regarding the passing of former NHLer and fan favourite, Gino Odjick. He played 12 seasons from 1990-2002 for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Montreal Canadiens. He scored 64 goals and 137 points across 605 games but amassed 2,567 PIMs.
Wherever Gino played, he became an instant fan favourite and that was always clear by the roar of the crowd and the "Gino, Gino, Gino" chants.
Vancouver Canucks chairman and governor, Francesco Aquilini sent out a release saying:
"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."
Odjick was from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, near Maniwaki, Quebec, and did a lot for his community. He moved back to Vancouver in 2003 and partnered with the Musqueam First Nation to manage the Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy.
In 2014, Odjick was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis, which was a rare and terminal blood disorder. Due to the disease, he suffered a heart attack and was given months to live. He turned to an experimental new treatment and in just under three years, his heart returned to 60% capacity. At the time that he found out about the disease he penned a letter to his fans saying:
"Your 'Gino, Gino' cheers were my favourite. I wish I could hear them again. You have been amazing."
Odjick was proud of his heritage and background. His jersey number, 29, was chosen because that was his father's identification number from his residential school. He continued further by addressing his Indigenous background in the open letter by saying:
"It also means the world to me that my hockey career gave me a chance to open doors for kids in the Aboriginal community. I was just a little old Indian boy from the Rez. If I could do it, so could they."
The Hockey World took to social media to mourn the passing of the former NHLer, including former Toronto Maple Leaf, Tie Domi. He took to Instagram and posted with the caption:
"So sad and heavy hearted to hear of the loss of one of my favourite brothers to do it. The most respectful, nicest guy you'll ever meet. We battled a lot but I was never mad or angry at him that's how much I loved him and told him that.
My deepest condolences to Gino's family, friends and fans. He was one of the best. He will be missed but never forgotten."
