Former NHL strongman Gino Odjick has passed away. He was 52 years old.
Odjick suffered a heart attack around 1 p.m. in Vancouver. “Our hearts are broken. My brother Gino Odjick has left us for the spirit world,” his sister Dina Odjick wrote on social media.
Odjick was in a clinic receiving treatment when he suffered the attack. His longtime friend Peter Leech was with him at the end, the Vancouver Province daily reported.
Leech, had taken Odjick to a medical clinic on Sunday to have bandages on his legs replaced and there were no signs of heart distress until the last minute.
“I was there for everything,” he told the Vancouver Province.
“He had a heart attack, he couldn’t get over it. We knew this day was coming, we didn’t know when. We were hoping for much later. ”
Leech said Odjick collapsed moments after being called for his date. Clinic nurses immediately rushed to treat him and were joined by firefighters and paramedics in no time.
“He collapsed in the clinic, thank God the nurses were there. They worked on him for 45 minutes,” Leech said. “It was hard to watch. ”
The former player from Maniwaki suffered from AL cardiac amyloidosis, a rare disease. He had even been condemned by doctors in Vancouver when he received his diagnosis in 2014. He had subsequently participated in an experimental treatment which had prolonged his life.
“They told me I had a few weeks left, at most a few months to live. They told me to prepare for my departure, to return home – to Maniwaki, in the Outaouais – to be close to my family because there was nothing to do,” he confided to our colleague François. Gagnon in October 2019.
He had two further bouts of illness, the most recent last year, which required him to undergo chemotherapy treatments. This caused him to gain weight due to water retention. He developed a leg infection, which required bandaging as part of his treatment.
Odjick was a fifth-round pick of the Canucks in 1990.
Besides the Canucks, he played for the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers.
Odjick has also given back a lot to the community, especially in Vancouver.
“Gino became one of the fans’ favorite players as soon as he joined the organization. He gave all his energy during each presence on the ice, but also outside of it, “said Canucks president Francesco Aquilini in a press release.
“He inspired many people and was the perfect example of what a Canucks player should be. On a more personal note, Gino was a friend I could confide in, someone I could count on if I needed help or advice. He will be deeply missed. ”
In 605 games in the NHL, he was the author of 64 goals and 73 assists, but he especially received 2,567 penalty minutes.
Habs assistant coach and former teammate Stéphane Robidas offered his condolences to the family following the Canadiens’ 2-1 victory over the Rangers on Sunday. “Gino was a bon vivant and an excellent teammate. He was always there for the guys. I didn’t know him for long, but I only have good memories. ”
Odjick spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Canucks before being traded to the New York Islanders for Jason Strudwick in March 1998.
In 1994, he was a key part of the edition of the Canucks that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. He appeared in 10 games in the playoffs, where the Canucks lost in seven games in a robust final series against the New York Rangers.
“Gino is a guy who deserved everything he got in his life,” said Martin St-Louis. I’m a guy from Laval and he was playing for the Titan. He’s a guy who took care of all his teams. ”
He holds a Canucks team record, his 2,127 penalty minutes being the most in franchise history.
Odjick was a unique person with a big heart whom everyone loved. The deputy in St. Louis has specific images in mind when he thinks of the deceased. “I only see him with no teeth in his mouth,” Robidas said with a smile. He was missing two pallets. I also remember that we saw him on a bicycle while reading his newspaper at the same time. ”
Robidas believes that Odjick was also a good player. “We all saw him as a fighter, but he was an impressive hockey player. In training, we saw how he was a good player, who never got the credit. He had good hands and a good backhand shot. ”
Odjick’s parents, Joe and Marie-Antoinette, predeceased him. He is survived by eight children and five sisters.
Rest in peace 💙 pic.twitter.com/Jg1UDO4pFe
—Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks)
January 16, 2023
Canadians are saddened to learn of the passing of Gino Odjick. The organization wishes to offer its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Thank you for all the beautiful memories, Gino ❤️ pic.twitter.com/g2Qh85NYsL
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL)
January 16, 2023
