The Canuck Way
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Canucks: Who is next for the Ring of Honour?

By Joshua Rey

11 Mar 1997: Leftwinger Gino Odjick of the Vancouver Canucks moves down the ice during a game against the Washington Capitals at the USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland. The Capitals won the game, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
11 Mar 1997: Leftwinger Gino Odjick of the Vancouver Canucks moves down the ice during a game against the Washington Capitals at the USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland. The Capitals won the game, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport /
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Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks. (Photo by Ben Nelms/Getty Images)
Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks. (Photo by Ben Nelms/Getty Images) /

Which Vancouver Canucks should be in the ring of honour next?

The Vancouver Canucks’ Ring of Honour celebrates players and staff who made an impact on the franchise. Their face and name for all to see around the rink at Rogers Arena. Though it is not quite as prestigious as getting a jersey number retired, it’s still is a very big honour. Think of it like receiving an honourable mention for an award in school.

The Current Canucks ROH has the team’s first captain Orland Kurtenbach, Kirk Maclean, Thomas Gradin, Harold Snepsts, the late Pat Quinn, Mattias Ohlund, and most recently Alex Burrows.

With not much Canucks news. I have seen debate over the Ring of Honour on social media with Canucks’ fans. Who should be next? Here are a few suggestions from your truly.

Gino Odjick

Gino Odjick is a fan-favourite player who played a little over seven seasons with the Canucks during the 90s. Not known for putting up points, Odjick was known for being an enforcer who laid out big hits and fought often. Canucks fans would always be chanting his name in encouragement.

With Odjick once again battling a rare disease called Amyloidosis (the same one that nearly took his life in 2014.), many fans want him to be inducted into the Ring of Honour. Two fans, Marcia McNaughton and Hans Petter Johnson have set up a Twitter account advocating for Odjick to be inducted.

Even B.C. Premier John Horgan is advocating.

Odjick was a big part of the Canucks teams in the 90s, is the franchise leader in penalty minutes and is still active in the Canucks community. Some may argue that it may be weird to put an enforcer in the Ring of Honour or his numbers don’t show he is one of the Canucks best.

Ryan Kesler

Some Canucks fans may have a disgusted look on their faces as they read the name above. It is understandable considering the way he left Vancouver.

However, Ryan Kesler was a huge part of that 2011 Canucks team that went to the Stanley Cup Final. Had they won the Cup, Kesler likely would have won the Conn Smythe. No one could ever forget the second-round series against the Nashville Predators where he registered a point on 11 of the Canucks’ 14 goals.

Kesler is the only Canuck to win the Selke trophy and is ninth all-time in playoff points. He worked hard every night, was a fierce competitor and was also a big part of the community. Kesler even said that it hurt every time he was booed every time he played in Vancouver with the Anaheim Ducks because Vancouver will always have a special place in his heart. He said that during an episode of the Kes and Juice Podcast, which is unfortunately on pause indefinitely.

Kesler gave it his all during his time in Vancouver and he is an ideal candidate for the Ring of Honour. But for some fans, his departure still leaves a sour taste in their mouths.

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