End of an era: Tonight, Canucks fans say #ThankYouSedins

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Tonight, hockey fans in Vancouver will say goodbye to two of the best players to ever wear Canucks colours.

Daniel and Henrik Sedin will play their final game at Rogers Arena against the Arizona Coyotes.

James Cybulski from Sportsnet 650 thinks we are in for a great show.

“I think it’s going to be electric, in a lot of ways,” he tells us, pointing out that at Tuesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights, fans were on their feet every time either of the Sedins touched the puck.

“This is an opportunity to not only say goodbye, but to say thanks. So, I think there’s going to be an energy in the building that you haven’t seen in quite sometime, if Tuesday is any indication,” says Cybulski.


Ann Schmaltz
with Sportsnet 650 says there will be video tributes for the twins, likely including some featuring former teammates.

“Every fan will get a special commemorative Daniel and Henrik Sedin magazine with articles and quotes from the twins. That will be on the seats, prior to the game. “They’re also going to have the year-end player awards. So, they will honour the top players from the Canucks.”

She says it will be an emotional night, noting a lot of fans attending tonight’s game have grown up with Daniel and Henrik.

“This is changing of the guard for them. Their team is going to look a lot different. Even though we’ve seen players and coaches come and go over the years, the twins have been a focal point and their faces have always been there… There are fans 18 years and younger — The twins are the face of the franchise and this is the team and players that they know. It will be an emotional day for the younger fans, for sure.”

There’s another reason to be excited: The 50:50 draw will be seeded with unclaimed funds and could hit a record $600,000.

The doors to tonight’s game will open at 5:30 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to post their favourite memories of the twins on social media, using the hashtag #ThankYouSedins. The posts will be shown on the video board at Rogers Arena and at Canucks.com/Sedins.

The lights outside Rogers Arena and throughout the City of Vancouver will shine blue and yellow in tribute to the Sedins.

It may be difficult for the team to focus on the game at hand, but Daniel Sedin has said they’ll feed off the crowd.

“It’s a chance for us to thank the fans, it’s more that than anything else. Time flies. It will be over before we know it. We’re going to enjoy it and treat it like a normal game. Tomorrow will be more emotional. I think that’s when you realize… you’ve probably taken your last steps on the ice. It will be special.”

Cybulski says there will be several opportunities for fans to thank the twins tonight but don’t expect them to shed any tears.

“I think anybody who knows Daniel and Henrik would probably tell you, they’d be surprised to see emotion from both of them. They’ve always been so stoic and — probably sometimes almost to a fault — have hidden their emotions so well.”

If you don’t yet have tickets and want to watch the game against the Arizona Coyotes in person, it won’t be cheap. Resellers are asking for up to $350 per ticket.

The game and special 30 minute pre-game show will air nationally on Sportsnet.

Listen live for sports at :15 and :45 past every hour. You can follow @Sportsnet650 on Twitter or subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.

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