Canuck Way

Dear Canucks: I am writing to you and to my dear Canadiansand fellow Vancouverites from Spain, my new home. I seldom write and I writeonly when my heart calls for it. On this occasion the motivation is my sonCarlos. He was born in Vancouver on a very beautiful October 27th 1991.Itsnowed on that great day and it has never snowed again on October since then.He was born with a congenital heart defect and it was miraculously healed bywhat the doctors at Vancouver's Children Hospital called an unexplainablescientific miracle.

My son Carlos has been a Canuck fan since birth. My wifeNatalia and I stood hours in line when he was 3 months old to get him theRussian Rocket's autograph and a picture with Russell Courtnall. His firstpyjamas were those of the Canucks. He has always been a loyal fan, in the goodtimes and in the not so good times, unlike me, older and more cynical gettingoff the bandwagon when things looked as in previous years, close but no cigar.I remember when he was 10 we use to argue about the Sedin brothers. I wanted totrade them and he defended them then and for years to come saying they wouldevolve into great players. I stand corrected.

We moved to Spain to start up our Kermode Canadian Center inMálaga. Our son Carlos and our daughter were not so happy with the move. Carloscouldn't speak the language as his sister, but he was more saddened about thefact that he had to leave his hockey and his Canucks behind. He and his sisterhave picked up the language and have integrated themselves very well into ournew home, but Carlos has never allowed his love for the Canucks to die. He haspicked up the love for soccer and for Barcelona Football Club, as it isexpected from a normal integrated Canadian in Spain. It now makes my admiration for him evengreater because he has not allowed that integration to lessen his passion forhis Vancouver Canucks. He has risen at all times in the early morning sometimes 3, 4, 5 am, to catch the game via internet. Every morning he gives me anupdate on trades, injuries, record breakings etc. This has been the routine forthe past five years. We all know their record for the past years and I mustadmit again that I have given up hope here and there. I don't think I need tomention the fact that my son Carlos has continuously stood behind his Canucksand kept arguing with me that they were on a journey, a process if you willthat they would evolve as the Sedin brothers into greatness.

Five years later we can watch the game on our Spanish TV,even if its one day later, as a matter of fact the game is on right now as I amwriting this letter. Technology now allows us to even record the games. My sonCarlos, now 19 years old patiently watches the game here in Spain missing thevoice of ¨Shorty, ¨ John Shorthouse, as the Spanish commentators try veryhard but cannot give us back our traditional way to watch the sport.

I wanted to share this story, the story of my son Carlos ashe is, in my proud opinion, the spiritof the Canucks, the perfect example of what we all should be: loyal, faithful,consistent positive, optimist and never ever lose hope. I love you Carlos as Ilove your sister and your mother, but my heart was telling me to write one moretime and share with Canada and the millions of Canucks fans, the certainty Ihave because of you and your example that the Canucks will be winners of theStanley Cup.

Your loving dad,

Carlos R Reygadas