In a classy tribute to hockey’s gentle giant, the Vancouver Giants etched Pat Quinn’s initials — “PQ” — in black marker on the tape of their sticks for Tuesday’s practice today in Medicine Hat.
Quinn’s NHL and international resume is well-known, but the icon’s junior success goes back to 1963, when he hoisted the Memorial Cup as a defenceman for the Edmonton Oil Kings. He would later coach Canada’s under-18s to a gold medal in 2008 and the under-20s to gold in 2009.
Quinn, who passed away Sunday at age 71, was a co-owner of the Giants. Quinn’s name appears on the Memorial Cup as part of the Giants’ win in 2007.
“Words cannot express the pain we all feel today for the Quinn family,” Giants majority owner Ron Toigo said in a release Monday. “Pat was an inspiration to all of us. He always said that respect was something that should be earned, not given, and the respect that he garnered throughout the hockey world speaks for itself. He will be sorely missed.”
Fans wishing to send their condolences have been asked to email patquinn@vancouvergiants.com.
The Giants face-off against the Medicine Hat Tigers at 6 p.m. PT Tuesday.
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