One of Roberto Luongo’s most memorable games as a Vancouver Canuck was one in which he never played.
The 2014 Heritage Classic at B.C. Place, started by backup Eddie Lack (as selected by former coach John Tortorella), is well known as the final straw in Luongo’s tumultuous last couple of seasons in Vancouver. The snub in a showcase game rebooted trade talks with Florida.
So when Luongo’s former team announced Monday it would be auctioning off the veteran netminder’s equipment from the game, Luongo fired a brilliant retort to the press release via Twitter:
“There’s no hiding it. I did want to play that game,” Luongo told reporters in Vancouver of the Classic earlier this season when he returned as a Florida Panther. “And if I would have played, I probably would maybe still be here. Who knows?”
Proceeds from Luongo’s autographed Heritage Classic pads, glove, and blocker — all themed with Vancouver Millionaires colours — will benefit the Canucks For Kids Fund.