Gino Odjick's best friend describes the hockey legend's final hours
Gino’s Odjick’s best friend expected to receive messages of support and condolence from hockey fans after the former Canuck died, but he was overwhelmed and touched to receive thousands.
Peter Leech says the response is testament to Odjick’s popularity and the impact of his compassion on the people of British Columbia and the country.
“It just tells me how much he was loved,” Leech said from his Vancouver home. “Reading you know, all the things that I’m reading, sometimes it makes me a little emotional to be honest.”
Odjick, one of the Vancouver Canucks’ most beloved players, died Sunday of a heart attack.
Leech was with the 52-year-old in his final hours.
“We went through it a few times before, having to bring him back, and I thought maybe we could bring him back again this time, but unfortunately no,” said Leech, wiping away tears.
“I was just glad I was there, you know, with him at the end.”
The enforcer played 12 seasons in the NHL, not only with the Canucks, but New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Montreal Canadiens too.
He was well-known as a tough guy, a player who always had his teammates’ backs. But he also had soft hands and scored beautiful goals.
Off the ice, Odjick and Leech worked together to help youth in Indigenous communities across Canada by encouraging kids to never underestimate their potential.
“We really loved the work that we did,” said Leech. “It was like medicine for us, it really was.”
In 2014, Odjick let the public know he had been diagnosed with amyloidosis, an incurable disease that causes abnormal proteins to build up in tissues and organs.
He said his heart was hardening and doctors weren’t sure how long he would live.
Leech knew he would lose his best friend one day, but said he didn’t think it would happen so soon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.