Roberto Luongo stops Marner in breakaway challenge in Panthers-Canucks themed-pads

To kick off the breakaway challenge at the NHL All-Star skills competition, former Vancouver Canucks goaltender and Hockey Hall of Famer Roberto Luongo stepped onto the ice in full goalie gear — but more on that later. Luongo stopped the first shot he faced from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner, who was dressed like Don Johnson in Miami Vice.

Luongo had some good style of his own, as he suited up in custom pads that pay homage to his time as a Florida Panther and a Vancouver Canuck. Luongo’s pads feature the Canucks’ stick in rink logo along with the C, a nod to Luongo’s old mask from his brief stint as Canucks captain. At the bottom, the pads also feature a section dedicated to the 2010 Winter Olympics, when Luongo backstopped team Canada to a Gold Medal in Vancouver.

Luongo and his son Gianni Luongo were interviewed by former Canuck Kevin Bieksa afterwards.

We’ll be completely honest with you. The skills competition was very low-event and flat-out confusing at times. But what we can tell you is that Bo Horvat and Elias Pettersson — who remember, are teammates on the Pacific Division team — moved in on a 2-0 together during the Tendy Tandem event, with Pettersson trying to slip one five-hole on Connor Hellebuyck.

Later, Luongo was beaten five-hole by Sergei Ovechkin, with the assists going to Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.

Luongo is the Canucks’ all-time leader in both wins (252) and shutouts with 38. Luongo also has the best save percentage and goals against average among any Canucks goaltender with minimum 100 games played. In 2020, the Florida Panthers, who Luongo both started and finished his career with after eight seasons in Vancouver, retired his jersey last year. Luongo was the first player whose jersey the Panthers have ever retired.

Luongo currently serves as a senior advisor to the general manager with the Panthers, who are hosting this year’s All-Star festivities. The 3-on-3 All-Star tournament will take place on Saturday at noon pacific time.