Big Irishman Night

We lost Pat Quinn on November 23 earlier this year, but the Vancouver Canucks paid tribute to "The Big Irishman" today on St. Patrick's Day while hosting one of the teams he coached in the Philadelphia Flyers. Pat Quinn was always a favorite son in Vancouver where he guided the Canucks as their coach to the Stanley Cup Final in 1994 as well as drafting and trading for a number of Canucks greats as their general manager. With the Flyers in the house tonight in Vancouver, the Canucks honoured Pat Quinn in the only way suitable.

The Canucks took to the ice in green warm-up uniforms with Pat Quinn's name and number - the same name and number he wore for the Canucks when he played - on their backs.

They also commemorated the evening by bringing in special pucks that shows the date of the game when the Canucks honoured the late Pat Quinn. Again, another classy move.

In the pre-game ceremony, a vast number of legendary Canucks were on-hand including Trevor Linden, Markus Naslund, and Pavel Bure as the Canucks paid tribute to their former coach and general manager. While most teams are wearing St. Patrick's Day-themed warm-up jerseys and then posting them online for auction to benefit charities, the Canucks used St. Patrick's Day to honour one of the men who best represented the Canucks' brand in Pat Quinn, the Big Irishman.

Rest in peace, Mr. Quinn. Classy job, Canucks. Well done!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!