West Âé¶čAV Fire Chief Jason Brolund was front and centre ahead of the Vancouver Canucks game on Thursday night.
On Dec. 7, Brolund dropped the puck ahead of the Canucks game against the Minnesota Wild, as the Vancouver team hosted their first Firefightersâ Night. The honour put Brolund in the ranks of royalty, after Prince Harry had the chance to drop the puck ahead of the Canucks game on Nov. 20.
Tonight, we recognize British Columbian Firefighters for their unwavering courage and commitment to keeping our communities safe.
â Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks)
Joining us at centre ice to drop the puck, we welcomed Chief of Vancouver Fire, Karen Fry, Chief of West Âé¶čAV Fire, Jason Brolund, SeniorâŠ
Brolund and the West Âé¶čAV Fire Department were visited by Canucks captain Quinn Hughes and President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford back in September to show their appreciation for their work fighting wildfires. At the time, the Grouse Complex of wildfires had just started to wind down.
On that day, the Canucks donated $250,000 to the Canadian Red Cross BC Wildfire Appeal.
Now, the Canucks are continuing to honour firefighters as Brolund dropped the ceremonial puck on Thursday night at Rogers Arena along with Vancouver Fire Chief Karen Fry, President of Vancouver Fire Fighters IAFF Local 18 Katrina Davison and Todd Schierling, President of the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association.
Following the puck drop, a moment of silence was held to honour the firefighters who have died keeping the province safe.
âFirefighters across British Columbia put themselves in harmâs way to protect our communities on every shift,â said President of Business Operations Michael Doyle. âThis year they rallied to battle wildfires that endangered so many, and we were honoured to have the Canucks for Kids Fund support the BC Red Cross Wildfire Relief Fund.â
Hughesâs grandfather served as a New York City firefighter for 31 years and eventually became the battalion chief. Since then, the team captain started TEAM 43, a ticket donation program that gives fire responders a chance to come to Canucks games.
Tonight, we welcomed members of the West Âé¶čAV Fire Department who helped us unveil the Canadian flag during OâCanada!
â Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks)
âHaving the chance to meet and thank the firefighters in West Âé¶čAV days after being named captain was a truly special start to my year,â said Hughes. âThese are some serious hockey players and fans, and I told them that day that I wanted them to come to a game to say thank you. The fact that weâve been able to create a firefightersâ night in support of the BC Burn Fund ensures that our support reaches across the province.â
For every ticket sold to Thursdayâs game, $10 went to the BC Burn Fund.
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