Despite originally being slated to make an appearance at the team’s 2022 First Nations Night at Rogers Arena, Vancouver Canucks alumnus Gino Odjick did not attend the game after contracting the flu but still managed to share a message with fans at the arena and on social media.

Odjick, 51, is represented by the Halaw Management Group, which bills itself as “the first Aboriginal sports agency representing professional athletes.”

“Gino Odjick is not in attendance because he has the flu and [is] not feeling well,” the Halaw Group said in a statement on Wednesday evening. “He was tested more than three times for COVID, testing negative each time.”

Despite not attending the game, Odjick recorded a message for Canucks fans in commemoration of First Nations Night. Odjick’s video played on the big screen at Rogers Arena and was also shared on Twitter.

“I thank the Canucks and their entire organization for honouring Indigenous peoples this evening,” Odjick said in the video. “I encourage all of Canucks nation to take the time to understand Indigenous people.”

On Monday, the Canucks announced that Odjick would be one of the participants in a ceremonial face-off to commemorate First Nations Night prior to Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Blues.

Wednesday’s ceremonial puck-drop ultimately featured the following individuals:

• Musqueam Nation Chief Wayne Sparrow
• Squamish Nation Councillor Wilson Williams
• Tsleil-Waututh Nation Chief Jen Thomas
• British Columbia Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport Melanie Mark
• Tk’emlúps to Secwépemc Councillor Nikki Fraser
• Orange Shirt Society Vice-President and Squamish Nation member Shannon Henderson
• Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini
• Canucks alumnus and Cree Nation member Ron Delorme

The Canucks also commemorated First Nations Night with special warm-up jerseys designed by Musqueam artist Chase Gray.

Off a goal by @Alex Chiasson, the Canucks currently lead the Blues 1–0 early in the second period of Wednesday’s game.