Vancouver Canucks Annual Alumni Luncheon Keeps Dominant NHL Status Intact

By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport | Photos by Devin Manky

Down through the years the Vancouver Canucks Alumni has been acknowledged as the leader in the ranks of NHL alumni associations.

It is a reputation that gained even more momentum with the staging of the 2022 Canucks Alumni Annual Luncheon on November 17th at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

An impressive roster of 35 former Canucks players was introduced in twosomes by emcee Al Murdoch as they paraded across centre stage on their way to mingle with over 400 guests.

Five of those players - all goaltenders - were recalled to the stage to form a panel billed as Legends of the Crease with Joey Kenward of Sportsnet 650 Radio interviewing Canuck Alumni Corey Hirsch, Kirk McLean, Troy Gamble, Richard Brodeur and John Garrett.

Not surprisingly, the 20-minute segment provided an abundance of hilarious dialogue as the charismatic former masked men related untold stories from the past. The session ended with Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Robson sharing a collection of his favourite goaltending moments involving the fivesome.

His comments moved veteran Alumni executive Mickey McDowell to say: “Jim Robson always makes a heartfelt appreciative impact on the proceedings. He never fails to underestimate his great and enduring significance to the Canuck culture.”

That very spirit endured throughout the balance of the luncheon sponsored and presented by Galloper Gold and Pooni Group in support of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, BC Hockey and the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Foundation Scholarship program.

Brief but meaningful words from Michael Doyle, President, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Bob Murray, President of the Canucks Alumni Association and Arthur Griffiths, President of the Canucks Alumni Foundation urged those in attendance to collectively donate over $37,000 to the Fund A Need program in addition to the Luncheon proceeds of $215,000.

The energetic team staging the event was spearheaded by Canucks Alumni Executive Director Robin Wyss, Alumni Luncheon Chair Rob Wilkins and Event Producer Karen Christiansen.

When the 35 Canuck Alumni players and the Alumni Associate members gathered in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Burrard Room for the pre-luncheon reception, a surprise guest showed up on his way to address the BC Chamber of Commerce at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

A sudden barrage of requests for selfies erupted as John Horgan, outgoing Premier of British Columbia, appeared on his final day in office.

Those 35 former players on hand, listed alphabetically, included: Greg Adams, Alex Auld, Dave Babych, David Booth, John Craighead, Richard Brodeur, Garth Butcher, Geoff Courtnall, Troy Gamble, John Garrett, Thomas Gradin, Eddie Hatoum, Corey Hirsch, Cody Hodgson, Nathan LaFayette, Ken Lockett, Mark Lofthouse, Jyriki Lumme, BJ MacDonald, Brad May, Kirk McLean, Bob Murray, Chris Oddleifson, Gino Odjick, Gerry O’Flaherty, Matt Pettinger, Darcy Rota, Stan Smyl, Harold Snepsts, Rich Sutter, Tony Tanti, Gary Valk, Aaron Volpatti, Kyle Wellwood and Wayne Van Dorp.

Long-time supporter and collector Andrew Castell contributed in his own unique way with an enormous display of Canucks’ memorabilia covering five decades including goalie pads, gloves, masks, jerseys, programs and a seemingly unending rack of used hockey sticks. It created the ideal backdrop for patrons entering the banquet room.

Added Duties for Alumni Supporter Robin Dhir

Robin Dhir has been described as a master of many trades in marketing, sales and communications.

A strategic advisor for Fasken, the official law firm for the Vancouver Canucks, Robin also has strong ties to the community as a volunteer with several charitable organizations. One of his proudest accomplishments was being the Founding Chair of ‘A Night of Miracles’ gala for BC Children’s Hospital.

He was named by Business in Vancouver to its list of “Top professionals under 40” and the Vancouver Sun’s “100 Most Influential South Asians in BC”.

Little did Robin realize he would wind up in the role of official photographer for Table 9 at the 2022 Canucks Alumni Luncheon where he was breaking bread with Jim Robson, Tom Larscheid, John Whitman, Mickey McDowell, Bernie Pascall, Dr. Sport, Al Murdoch and Joey Kenward,

With the blessing of the ‘official’ Canucks Alumni chief photographer Jack Murray, attached are two Robin Dhir offerings.