Canucks honour military at game

Team Captain of the Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog (left) and Vancouver Canucks captain Henrik Sedin are joined by Brigadier General Dave Cochrane (centre) of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and members of 442 Squadron, for the ceremonial opening faceoff during Military Appreciation Night at Rogers Arena, Jan. 30. Photo by Jeff Vinnick, NHLI

Team Captain of the Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog (left) and Vancouver Canucks captain Henrik Sedin are joined by Brigadier General Dave Cochrane (centre) of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and members of 442 Squadron, for the ceremonial opening faceoff during Military Appreciation Night at Rogers Arena, Jan. 30. Photo by Jeff Vinnick, NHLI

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Necks were craned in Vancouver’s Rogers Centre arena last Tuesday, as those in the stands watched Search and Rescue Technicians Sergeant Morgan Boutilier, Master Corporal Daniel Keith, MCpl Zach Holmes, and MCpl Yannyk Daley rappel from the rafters to centre ice.

The aerobatic spectacle was part of the Vancouver Canucks military appreciation event, which brought more than 350 military and DND civilian personnel to the venue for an evening of defence appreciation and a hockey game.

Evening play began with the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy performing both the Canadian and American national anthems, with Leading Seaman Brandi Sidoryk, a reservist from HMCS Tecumseh, providing the vocal accompaniment.

Taking centre ice to perform the ceremonial puck drop between the Canucks and Colorado Avalanche team captains was Brigadier General Dave Cochrane of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“The soldiers, sailors and aviators who attended were true hockey fans; you could tell by the smiles on their faces they really enjoyed the experience,” said Lt(N) Tony Wright, a public affairs officer with Maritime Forces Pacific. “Throughout the game they did tributes to Canadian Forces members on the big [Jumbotron] screen and fans, and many fans, came up and thanked us for our service to our country.”

Following the Canucks 4-3 overtime win, Canucks players signed autographs and mingled with their DND visitors before posing for a group photograph. Canucks right-winger Brock Boeser took such interest in the post-game exchange with the guests of honour he had to be ushered off the ice and back to the dressing room by team staff.

> View the video on the Military Appreciation Night

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