Ever since Vancouver Canucks president Trevor Linden announced in Prince George earlier this year that the team would be coming, the third weekend of September has been circled in blue and green (red would be the Calgary Flames and nobody wants to see that ever) by local hockey fans. This will be a unique opportunity to see Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Alex Burrows, Ryan Miller, Dan Hamhuis and the other stars of the team as they prepare for the 2015-16 regular season.
For some, the city and its residents are doing nothing more than getting excited about the brief visit of overpaid hockey players, millionaires who care little about the fans, never mind the communities where they play.
These negative nellies couldn't be more wrong.
As citizens, both the Canucks organization and their players have been generous with their time and their money, not just in Vancouver but far and wide.
Nobody forced Hamhuis, a native of Smithers, to spend his own money to become part owner of the Prince George Cougars. Nobody forced him to call the team's bantam draft picks, welcome them to the team and encourage them to keep working hard. Nobody forced him to skate with the Cougars players during their training camp last September. He did those things because that is what people who have been blessed with talent, health and good fortune do. He did those things because the Cougars and the city they call home are close to his heart. Whether it was directly or indirectly, there is no doubt that Hamhuis played some role in the Canucks coming to Prince George.
Hamhuis is further blessed to be surrounded by people just like him.
During his career on the ice, Linden was one of the most respected players in the league for his work ethic, his leadership and his generosity with his time and money, particularly for sick children. The Sedins and other players have continued that tradition.
Canucks Place, North America's first free-standing children's hospice centre, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year of helping families spend meaningful and joyful times with their terminally-ill children and siblings.
Thankfully, this spirit of caring and generosity extends much further than just the Vancouver Canucks and its players.
On Wednesday, Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban (his brother Jordan is a highly-touted Canucks prospect) made what is being called "the biggest philanthropic commitment by a sports figure in Canadian history." He is donating $10 million over the next seven years to Montreal Children's Hospital (see story, page 11). Some of the money will go towards a program called P.K.'s Helping Hands, that will provide financial assistance to families of sick kids. It's important to stress that Subban doesn't just write cheques for this hospital. He has spent Christmas mornings there handing out presents to patients. And this isn't something new for Subban, either. After the devastating earthquake in Haiti five years ago, Subban visited the country to raise awareness and funds for Hockey For Haiti, a joint effort between the NHL Players Association and World Vision to restore the destroyed Grace Children's Hospital in Port-au-Prince.
Both professional sports teams like the Canucks and junior franchises like the Cougars have discovered that talent alone doesn't win championships. Head and heart are even more important. A true teammate puts the success and well-being of his fellow players and his team above himself. Leadership is demonstrated by example, through effort and sacrifice, and respect is earned. Being an ambassador for the team and the sport and a role model for youngsters is as important as winning games.
"What more can I do?" is an ethic that athletes like Subban, the Sedins, Hamhuis and Linden apply not just to the playing field but to their entire lives, professional and personal.
The Canucks are in Prince George for the next few days because they want to be here. The team, its leadership and its players, are thankful for the support this region has given over the years and want to express their appreciation with their actions, not just their words. Their visit is our chance to thank them in return, not just for being great hockey players but for inspiring all of us, young and old, to be caring citizens.
-- Managing editor Neil Godbout
