‘A big thank you’: Canucks home opener features tribute to healthcare workers

It’s been a long time since British Columbians got together and applauded frontline workers, and even longer since Canucks fans were allowed to root for their team in person. But at 7 p.m. Tuesday, an exuberant crowd of thousands cheered healthcare and hockey heroes at Rogers Arena.

The first regular-season game in front of Vancouver fans in 595 days started with a doctor from B.C. Women’s Hospital leading the crowd in the singing of “O Canada”.

“It was an exciting moment,” Dr. Sadiq Abdulla, who is an obstetric anesthesiologist, said Tuesday night.

He tells CityNews he was able to connect with the Canucks through a friend. After discussions with the team, everyone agreed it would be fitting to have a “moment of reflection” as well as show “togetherness and unity” by getting the crowd to join in on the singing of the anthem.

Dr. Sadiq Abdulla lead 'O Canada' @Canucks home opener – he's an obstetric anesthesiology specialist at BCWH. Tributes to healthcare workers as fans attend their first in-person game in months. Dr. Bonnie Henry also made an appearance @CityNewsVAN #CityNewsEverywhere https://t.co/RkGD9bcCFI

— Tarnjit Kaur Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) October 27, 2021

The atmosphere was electric. Abdulla says it’s been a long time since people have been able to gather at such a large scale. He notes he was happy to be part of the moment.

“It was because of the determination and perseverance of everyone, getting vaccinated, wearing masks, to be able to have an event like this, and I think all of that energy just came to the surface,” he explained. “Being able to stand in front of them and just hear the crowd sing with such passion and such pride really was a moving experience for me.”

Abdulla says it feels good to finally be at a place where British Columbians can come back together.

Original plans had Abdulla singing a bit more of the anthem before coaxing the crowd to join in. However, he says in the moment, it felt right to have the fans take over.

“Just to be present, to be able to sing together as one united group. It really was a pretty special moment to be able to be standing in front of them on the ice level and hearing the voices rise. Hearing the passion and the emotion in their voices was really something,” he added.

Before puck drop, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry cranked the ceremonial siren while wearing a custom “DBH” jersey and being cheered on by mascot Fin.

Dr.Bonnie Henry in the houseeee pic.twitter.com/RuiBXdVTYc

— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) October 27, 2021

Sportsnet 650’s Randip Janda was at the game, and says the tributes started with a pregame video message of gratitude for healthcare workers from coach Travis Green.

“It was just a special moment of acknowledging them, just a big thank you from the organization to everybody that continues to fill that role,” he said.

“You could feel that positivity, just with everybody in the building being vaccinated. It took teamwork to get to this moment, not only from the Canucks organization but as a community.”

The first full capacity game with fans at Rogers Arena in 595 days.

It’s go time! #Canucks pic.twitter.com/vI3YwN4pIl

— Randip Janda (@RandipJanda) October 27, 2021

Abdulla says the pandemic has certainly had an impact on those working in the healthcare sector.

“I’d be lying if I told you it hasn’t been a big challenge for me and all of my colleagues to be able to get through some of the hardest times in this pandemic,” he explained, noting he and his colleagues are among those who have very much been on the frontlines through the past 19+ months. “As an anesthesiologist, in particular, part of my job is to be able to provide perioperative care, which is before, during, and after surgery to all of our patients — particularly those sickest patients, some of those who have had the most severe form of COVID-19 have come under our care.”

The Canucks organization’s efforts to recognize how challenging it’s been for frontline workers is likely something Abdulla won’t soon forget.

The crowd of more than 18,000 was allowed to gather inside Rogers Arena because B.C.’s capacity limits in most of the province were lifted Monday. That was welcome news for players, who haven’t heard the roar of a hometown crowd in more than a year and a half.

The #Canucks’ home opener is expected to be the biggest crowd B.C. has seen since last year, when the pandemic forced fans out of the stands and reduced crowd sizes across the province. @AshleyBurr_ reports live from @RogersArena. https://t.co/xbrkwVF0AT pic.twitter.com/4GIHME8mUh

— CityNews Vancouver (@CityNewsVAN) October 27, 2021

“It’s like an extra player almost. Last year made me realize that fans play a big part of getting you going into a game, ” Canucks forward Elias Pettersson said before the game.

Goalie Thatcher Demko echoed that sentiment, Canucks goalie going on to say that having those cheers makes a world of difference.

“I still remember that game and it’s crazy to think that we haven’t seen our fans in that long. I know everyone is really excited, we’ve been talking about it, we are getting a little itchy on the road there,” Demko said.

Pandemic-related protocols were in place, with vaccine passports required for anyone over 12, and a requirement to wear a mask except when eating or drinking.

Your secret’s safe with us and our 1 million followers pic.twitter.com/AEwvlTF66i

— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) October 27, 2021

One fan told CityNews they’d travelled 15 hours and 1,500 kilometres to see the game. Another said he’s been counting the days until he can see the team play at the arena again.

Janda said the roar of the crowd seemed even louder than usual, maybe because it’s been so long since that many people have been allowed to gather or maybe just because of how excited everyone 3was.

“Everybody was so enthusiastic and so happy to have hockey back, it was just a surreal night in Vancouver,” he said.

“I think just this was more of a celebration for the city and the province to have hockey back.”

Owner Francesco Aquilini tweeted his excitement over being back in front of a crowd, although as the game went on and the Canucks fell behind the Minnesota Wild, he seemed to start paying more attention to what was happening on the ice.

“Great to have energy back in the building. Now we need the team to pop a couple of goals,” he tweeted.

Not the outcome we wanted but it was so good playing in front of #Canucks fans again! pic.twitter.com/8JgBOw3dUD

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 27, 2021

Ultimately, the team would lose 3-2, but the good news is, fans will only have to wait two days for another chance to see the team take the ice.

“After this first game, there’s also going to be the expectation for the team to win,” Janda said, noting Vancouver fans won’t settle for anything less than the team making the playoffs.

“It was just a really cool moment, it was bigger than hockey tonight but Thursday night — you can bet Canucks fans will be passionate, there’ll be fired up and they’re gonna be expecting a win,” Janda said.