"It Was The Most Important Stretch Of My Career": Luongo Reminisces On Time With The Vancouver Canucks

Prior to the Vancouver Canucks game against the Florida Panthers, Roberto Luongo will be inducted into Vancouver's Ring of Honour. A leader on and off the ice, this will be yet another opportunity for Canucks fans to thank the former team captain for everything he did during his time in Vancouver. From an Olympic Gold to his work in the community, there is little doubt that he is one of the best players to ever wear the Canuck colours. 

On Thursday morning, Luongo spoke to the media about his career in Vancouver. A variety of topics were discussed, including how he found out about being traded to the Canucks prior to the 2006-07 season. As he explains, while he thought he had negotiated an extension with the Panthers, Florida had other plans, as they had dealt their star goaltender to Vancouver. 

"I remember I was at home with my parents in Montreal," said Luongo. "It was draft day, and I remember my contract was up. I was trying to get a deal done with Florida, and Mike Keenan was the GM at the time. Ultimately, at the last hour, I had agreed to the contract, but the trade had already happened. I was kinda surprised, didn't know much about it, but I know my parents had some very good friends that lived here. Given that I was at my parents' house, they gave me the lowdown, and I started researching on the computer. I mean, what can you say? It's the most beautiful city in the world, I think. Just getting here, living in this city for eight years, and being part of the community was great. The rain maybe a little bit, but other than that, everything else was fantastic, so I could not have asked for a better place."

During Luongo's tenure as a Canuck, he was fantastic. In 448 regular season games, he put together a record of 252-137-50 while also leading Vancouver to Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. Reflecting on his career, he considers his years in the Canucks organization as the most important during his career. 

"Well, it was the most important stretch of my career. I was in my prime; we had a great team, were in the playoffs, we had a run to the Cup, played in the Olympics in the city, which is unbelievable. When you think about it, it all came together like that. So it's a huge, huge part of my life."

While winning on the ice was always exciting, Luongo spoke about his special bonds with teammates off the ice and how cool it is that so many are still involved in the game. Whether it be Daniel and Henrik Sedin in Vancouver, Alex Burrows in Montreal or Manny Malhotra and Kevin Bieksa in Toronto, he has a chance to reminisce with former teammates whenever Florida is on the road. As he describes, catching up with these guys is always a highlight and a reminder of the shenanigans they would get up to during their playing careers. 

"I think guys really generally loved each other and cared for each other. They would tease each other all the time. I remember countless ping pong tournaments and cards on the plane. Really tight group, and the fact that now you see them sprinkled everywhere around the league is fun because then I get to see them. When we're in Toronto, I get to see them when I'm here or wherever it is, but it's nice that they stayed in touch with hockey and the league. These are memories that we built together for all those years that live on, and whenever we see each other, we like to reminisce a little bit."

Speaking of reminiscing, this event is special for Luongo because he gets to experience it with his family by his side. While most of his time was spent in Florida, he was able to make special memories with his wife and kids while out on the West Coast. As he explains, having them back in Vancouver makes this event extra special. 

"We're gonna reminisce a lot. We're gonna go back to where we lived and all that kind of stuff, walking around downtown. They're really excited to be here. You know, this was a big part of our lives. My daughter started school here and all that kind of stuff. So it's always fun to be here but not to be here back with them for the first time makes it extra special."

Luongo also touched on the 2013 offseason when he thought he would be traded out of Vancouver. As he clarifies, no trade request was officially submitted, but he and Canuck management at the time agreed that it may be best to move on as Cory Schneider was entering his prime. Instead, Vancouver traded Schneider to the New Jersey Devils before dealing the Hall of Famer back to the Panthers just a few months later.

"Well, it wasn't a trade request, so I don't know what the story is, but it was more of a mutual with Mike Gillis. I think Cory was coming on, and we had a discussion at the end of the year, and it was I think we decided that it was best I moved on, and Cory was a guy. It wasn't really a trade request. I think it was more of a mutual decision, and at that time, Cory was lights out, so obviously, I obliged, and we tried to work together to work something out."

While Luongo's Canucks tenure featured highs and lows, his goal was always to be the best he could be. Throughout his tenure, he continually received award votes at the end of the season and, at one point, was a finalist for both the Hart and Vezina trophies. As he describes, that compete level is part of his DNA and one of the reasons he had so much success in Vancouver. 

"But yeah, you never know, right? You don't you don't really think about that stuff when you're in it. I guess, you always want to leave a good impression. That's the goal. When I played, I always wanted to be the best. It didn't matter what year it was, whether it was my rookie year or even my last year when I was forty years old; I was still striving to be the best goalie in the league. That was just the way I was built. So, some fantastic years here in Vancouver. This city holds a special place for me. I always look forward to coming back."

Few players in Canuck history are as beloved as Luongo. Even nearly a decade after his last game in Vancouver, fans still wear his jersey nightly. One of the greatest players in Canucks history, his induction into the team's Ring of Honour is well deserved.