Today’s look back tackles the Top 5 Canucks personalities. In a tough hockey market like Vancouver, it’s not easy to keep a positive mentality and keep things fun on and off the ice. Through the years, however, the Vancouver hockey scene has been lucky enough to have a few players break the mould and moreover break the ice especially in the past decade. (No, Jacob Markstrom isn’t on this list yes, but he’s our odds-on favourite to climb up the ranks)

Even the jerks can have a good personality. During the 2011 season, Kesler became known as the photobomber, and he didn’t relent. He was called beast mode for a period of time (He is no Marshawn Lynch) and was touted as the heir as the 1st line centre in Vancouver after Henrik Sedin departed. It didn’t work out that way, but his dry humour and gaffes with the media connected well with the fanbase, and you’ll still see Rogers Arena scattered with Kesler merchandise to date, despite being a member of the rival Ducks now.

For a period of time before the 2014-15 NHL season, Kevin Bieksa was loved by fans across Vancouver. And he still is by most, due to his love for the city and his humour which kept interviews light and must-watch. Bieksa even made the interviews in between periods – which typically are boring – fun to watch. It is hard to be a fan-favourite during a period of time in which a majority of the team was loved by all, is no easy task. But Bieksa achieved. 

If Trevor Linden was the heart and soul of the 1994 Canucks, Gino Odjick was the grit. And the fans loved him for it. Loved by his coaches and teammates and loathed by his peers, Gino will never be forgotten in Canucks lore. For a short period of time he played on a line with Canucks legend Pavel Bure as well, cementing a friendship they still hold to this day, which was proven when he showed up unexpectedly for Bure’s induction into the rafters at Rogers Arena. Gino is still loved by fans to date, receiving standing ovations multiple times in different appearances in recent years, as he suffers from a rare terminal disease called AL amyloidosis and continues to be monitored closely.

Perhaps one of the great celebration highlights in sports history, came from one of the most popular Canucks during the early stages of the Canucks franchise. Famous for his tough guy nature and being a pivotal part in the Canucks run to the finals in 1982, “Tiger” was a ferocious beast on the ice, and energized the fanbase during the four year tenure he endured. He was not just a tough guy, he had a goal scoring streak and with every goal came another exciting celebration. But without a question, Williams will always be known for his riding the stick celebration which was founded in a 1980 game against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Could you really choose anyone else? The former Canuck netminder became just as well known for his tweets, his skits and everything in between — as he was for stopping pucks. He began his tenure with Vancouver as a quiet individual, but almost became more energized as his tenure continued and the controversies were fuelled. His relationship with the fans can’t be forgotten either. His constant want to give back to his community contributes to the personality that is Bobby Lou, as much as anything else. One of the many moments that shows what Luongo was like as a Canuck, was the poetry feature with James Duthie of TSN.