MUST SEE: Bear gives an emotional interview on Odjick's passing after he scored

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Felip Gosselin
January 15, 2023 (8:23 PM)

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The Canucks played the Hurricanes this afternoon, Ethan Bear's former team. No story could've been written with a better opening than this one when Bear kicked off the team's comeback.

Odjick was born in the Algonquin reserve of Kitigan Zibi just outside the town of Maniwaki, Quebec. Bear grew up in Ochapowace Nation, Saskatchewan. Ethan Bear spent his childhood in Ochapowace First Nation, a Cree First Nation.

There's no denying the existing link here, on top of it, the Carolina Hurricanes were the team that just gave away Bear along with Pederson.

«I heard I scored right after he passed. I think that's pretty powerful. I was meant to be. Maybe he was there for me on that shot."

Bear gave a heartfelt interview to the excellent Patrick Johnston of the Province and gave us a better portrait of what the Canucks' legend Gino Odjick meant to him. The two had previously met when Bear was still part of the Canes' organization:

«I talked with Gino before, and he said he was rooting for me to come here. I just got to sit with him and chat. It was pretty cool. And then he's pretty much one of the guys who kind of pushed me to come here.»

Bear and Odjick grew closer with time, when Bear first arrived in Vancouver the latter mentored the young man and helped shape the man he has grown to be in his time with the Canucks. Odjick was always there whenever he needed him and Bear carries nothing but good memories of him:

«He is a legend, someone who's obviously a big influence in the native community. It's tough.»

Ethan Bear has developed into one of the core pieces of the Canucks' defense. He now has 10 points through 33 games and has carried a +1 rating through his time in Vancouver. Bear will be a restricted free agent by this season's end, should they start the contract négociation right away?

SOURCE: The Province