So tonight as I lay here in bed, just having finished a bunch of homework, I think to myself, "Who could I do a spotlight on?" Hmmmm, someone I like obviously, but someone that is different and not your ordinary current tough guy. Hmmm, how about someone that is retired?? Oh wait, got it!! One of my all-time favourite tough guys...Gino Odjick. Known as probably the most famous tough guy in Vancouver Canuck history, Gino was as popular during the old skate jersey days as Pavel Bure or Trevor Linden. (Well maybe not quite as Linden, but close ;)
Drafted in 1990 by the Canucks 86th overall in the fifth round, his NHL debut came against the Chicago Blackhawks November 21. 1990, and wearing #66, he went out and showed everyone that he meant business. After fighting three Hawks, among them the feared Dave Manson and Stu Grimson, he was named the game's first-star and went on to become a fan favourite in his first year, accumulating 296 pims in only 45 games! The next two seasons had an increase to 348 and 370 pims respectively. During the cinderalla Canucks year of 1993-1994, Odjick had his most productive year offensively with 16 goals and 13 assists, along with 271 pims, sometimes riding shotgun on a line with his best friend Pavel Bure.
Anyone that is somewhat a Canucks fan or even a fight fan can remember many a scrap pitting Odjick against the toughest in the league, leaving the crowd chanting the familiar "Gino! Gino! Gino!
I can remember the day in the 1997-98 season when Gino was traded to the New York Islanders for a young Jason Strudwick (who would later be one of my favourite players for about five seasons). Fans were left angered at the departure of their tough guy, but the hockey gods must have been watching over Vancouver as the first game after the trade was sure enough, in Vancouver vs. the Islanders. I guess it was one last night with our buddy Gino. And sure enough, he didn't disappoint, dropping the gloves AGAINST the Canucks with you guessed it, the man he was traded for, Jason Strudwick. I can still remember the fans actually cheering on Odjick one last time, instead of their new Canucks defenceman. Although he didn't do as well as hoped, this fight actually helped Strudwick prove to his new team and fans that he would do whatever it took to win.
After stops in New York, Philadelphia and then Montreal, Gino retired from hockey as one of the most popular and feared enforcers of his time. Now residing in Vancouver, Gino has moved on to a life after hockey, helping aboriginal children at the Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy.
It is with this, that we take a look back at some of Gino Odjick's most classic Canucks moments...
Odjick scores a beauty
Odjick throwin them fast and furious with Matt Barnaby
Odjick going nuts!!!
Odjick suckers Lindros
Another huge sucker by Gino on Todd Harvey
Toe to toe with PJ Stock (as a flyer)
Gino on OTR on TSN
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