Gino Odjick diagnosed with terminal heart disease

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Former Vancouver Canuck enforcer Gino Odjick has been diagnosed with a rare, terminal heart disease.

In a letter through the team, he says he was diagnosed a few days after Pat Quinn’s ring of honour night. He received the news 48 hours later and has been in the hospital under the supervision of doctors ever since.

He has months, or maybe just weeks, to live.

“As a friend, a teammate and Canuck alumni, it’s hard. Gino Odjick was the ultimate teammate and I know he’s fighting hard right now. He’s a fighter. Not just on the ice,” says former teammate Cliff Ronning.

“I’m kind of glad that it’s out now, that people can really tell him how much he meant to them… for First Nations kids… [He was] a person that came off the reserve and to do what he did at the age of 15 and play in the good NHL, protect teammates and just be the ultimate teammate… All you can do now is just hope for the best for him and his family,” he tells News1130.

Ronning tells us he and fellow former Canuck Geoff Courtnall went to visit Odjick in the hospital. “You can tell that he’s a little tired, but he still had good spirits.”

“He’d always be joking around. Courts was always playing tricks on him during the season and we were talking about the different times and different stories. [Odjick] was always saying little comments about Courts, so in that way, I’m glad that we spent time with him.”

He adds this news will be hard for fans to deal with. “He was one of those players that everyone loved. He’s not the type of person that wanted the popularity; it’s just because he’s a good person and a good soul.”

“Now he really wants to spend time with his family, and I think you have to respect that,” adds Ronning.

Odjick is thanking everyone for their support throughout his life and during this difficult time.

Fans are planning to rally outside VGH on Sunday at 1 p.m.

There is a second rally planned at VGH on Sunday, July 13th.

Gino Odjick’s letter:

Dear friends, teammates and fans,

We have shared many great moments together over the years but today I need to share the most difficult news of my life.

About two months ago I was diagnosed with a rare terminal disease called AL amyloidosis. It’s causing abnormal protein to be produced and deposits are being formed on my heart. It’s hardening my heart and my doctors aren’t sure how long I have to live. Initially they thought years, but now they think it could be a lot less. I could be down to months or even weeks.

I was diagnosed with this disease a few days after Pat Quinn’s ring of honour night. 48 hours later I received the news and I’ve been in the hospital under the supervision of some great doctors ever since. I also have the support of my family and some great friends.

I’m telling you about this now because news is beginning to leak out and I wanted you to know the truth and hear it from me personally.

I feel very fortunate for the support I’ve received over the years. During my career I played in some great NHL cities including, Vancouver, Long Island, Philadelphia and Montreal. In my heart, I will always be a Canuck and I have always had a special relationship here with the fans.

My teammates became like brothers and am thankful I had the opportunity this past year to re-unite with so many of them. I’ll never forget my first NHL game against Chicago and my first goal. It also means the world to me that I was able to open doors for kids in the Aboriginal community. I was just a little old Indian boy from the Rez. If I could do it, so could they. Education is freedom.

I also made some great friends through hockey and away from the ice as well. Life-long friends who have always been by my side, in good times and bad. Thank you for everyone’s support throughout my life and during this difficult time.

Your support throughout the years as I had the chance to live out my dream on the ice made the journey that much more special and cherished.

I understand the media will likely want to learn more, but I hope you can respect my request for privacy as I focus my time on my children and family.

– Gino

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