Canucks Honour Pavel Bure
Vancouver, B.C. – The Vancouver Canucks will raise Pavel Bure’s No. 10 jersey to the rafters of Rogers Arena on Saturday, November 2, 2013. It’s a legacy somewhat tainted in some eyes by the way Bure left the city where he started his NHL career seven years ago, holding out a force trade to the Florida Panthers. Nonetheless, they’re finally retiring the number of the franchise’s first true superstar.
The Vancouver Canucks are also proud to announce the re-naming of two awards in honor of Pavel Bure for his exceptional skill, leadership and performance. The announcement was made earlier today at Rogers Arena’s Hall of Heroes at a special event hosted by legendary play-by-play broadcaster and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Robson, Vancouver Canucks President and General Manager, Michael D. Gillis and two former players whose numbers hang from the rafters: Stan Smyl and Markus Naslund.
To further his legacy and influence on young hockey players in the province of British Columbia, Canucks Sports & Entertainment and the Canucks for Kids Fund, in conjunction with BC Hockey, have established the Pavel Bure Award for registered BC minor hockey players. The Pavel Bure Award is an annual award, recognizing candidates who demonstrate and exemplify the values of integrity, passion, teamwork and courage.
Winning candidates are presented with a trophy and letter of congratulations from the Vancouver Canucks at the Silver Skate Awards, which take place every June at the BC Hockey Annual General Meeting. For further information on how to nominate a player, please visit Canucks.com/community.
Canucks Sports & Entertainment also announced the re-naming of the Most Exciting Player Award to the Pavel Bure Most Exciting Player Award. The award will be re-designed and unveiled on the Canucks Awards night at the conclusion of the season. Over the span of his NHL career as a Canuck, Bure was the recipient of the Canuck’s ‘Most Exciting Player’ award five times from 1992 to 1995, and once more in 1998. It is one of six annual awards given out by the club at the last home game of the regular season. The award invites and welcomes the input of fans, allowing them the opportunity to vote for the player they believe is most deserving of the title.
