The passing of former player, coach, GM, President and Vancouver icon Pat Quinn was recognized by the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday evening, with the Canucks holding a moment of silence in honour of the man known as the Big Irishman.
And to reinforce that presence that Quinn carried with him from each and every stop on his NHL and International hockey travels, the Canucks called on Mark Donnelly to provide just the right commemoration of his passing.
A performance of Danny Boy that clearly had an impact on those in Rogers Arena and we imagine for a fair many miles far beyond those arena walls on Tuesday.
There were many tales told of the legend of Pat Quinn over the last forty eight hours, from Vancouver to Toronto, through Philly, LA and beyond, everyone had a story or memory of one of Canada's most complete hockey men.
For Vancouver fans, perhaps his best moment and there were oh so many, came with his short, no nonsense takedown of a Don Cherry conspiracy theory of the Pavel Bure era, an epic Pat Quinn performance that highlighted flashes of not only his Irish temper but his ability to knock down some of the mightiest of hockey's personalities.
There are of course many, many more such moments, Stanley Cup runs, Olympic games, World Junior tournaments and a number of memories from his playing coaching and managing career.
Perhaps most famously remembered as the guy who nailed Bobby Orr, an incident that to this day can spur on a good discussion or speak a riot depending on where you are visiting at any given point in time.
Not an easy thing to do, and certainly not an easy thing to survive in the era of the Big Bad Bruins.
Perhaps most famously remembered as the guy who nailed Bobby Orr, an incident that to this day can spur on a good discussion or speak a riot depending on where you are visiting at any given point in time.
Not an easy thing to do, and certainly not an easy thing to survive in the era of the Big Bad Bruins.
But, it remains as one of the most iconic of Quinn moments as there was through the ages.
His life beyond his playing days, moved him into the coaching and then the General Manager's office, his seminars both on ice and off, have carried many an NHL star and future executive through the years.
Incredibly, Quinn had not yet been selected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, another glaring error from the selection committee of that place of honour and an oversight that should be remedied with the utmost of haste.
Many of those pupils had nothing but fond remembrances of their time with Pat Quinn, a man whole left an impression with anyone he would meet, whether in hockey or out.
A sample of some of the tributes of respect, admiration and affection for Quinn can be found below, though they truly just scratch the surface of the impact that Pat Quinn had not only on the Canucks but on hockey as well.
NHL.com-- Canucks remember Quinn with video "Danny Boy"
Vancouver Province-- Pat Quinn: A stubborn Irishman right up to his final days
Vancouver Province-- Big Irishman always had time for fans
Vancouver Province-- Always a calming influence: Pat Quinn was a coach who could really teach
Vancouver Province-- So much about Pat Quinn will live on
Vancouver Province-- The little boy in the photo: Death of Pat Quinn leaves longtime fan speechless, again
Vancouver Province-- Why it took me so long to like Pat Quinn, I'm not sure
Vancouver Sun-- Canucks icon Pat Quinn was hockey royalty in Vancouver
Vancouver Sun-- Pat Quinn was NHL's eloquently loyal leader, dignified statesman
Vancouver Sun-- Pat Quinn was a private person on a public stage
Vancouver Sun-- Some Good Words about a Good Man
Vancouver Sun-- Pat Quinn remembered as larger-than-life individual
Vancouver Sun-- Players and coaches mourn death of intimidating, personable Pat Quinn
Vancouver 24 Hours-- Pat Quinn: a Great Man remembered
Georgia Straight-- Former Canucks head coach Pat Quinn passes away in Vancouver
Georgia Straight-- Pat Quinn: I never knew ye (but my dad did for a little while)
National Post-- Pat Quinn, gone much too soon, was a man of his time and one of the best of them
National Post-- Pat Quinn, the cigar-loving, storytelling Irishman, was a hockey icon. He will be missed
National Post-- Pat Quinn remembered as a man with deep capacity for kindness and humour
National Post-- Pat Quinn saved the Vancouver Canucks, gave them credibility
National Post-- Pat Quinn mourned by hockey world: "We have lost a great man"
Globe and Mail-- Pat Quinn, a true giant of the game, left an impression everywhere he went
Globe and Mail-- Pat Quinn stayed in the game until the very end
Toronto Star-- Pat Quinn: teacher, winner, gentleman
Toronto Star-- Hockey community shares memories of Pat Quinn
Toronto Star-- Pat Quinn legacy built on respect
Toronto Sun-- Hockey World Mourns Pat Quinn
Toronto Sun-- Goodbye to Pat Quinn, a manly man
Toronto Sun-- Pat Quinn was a joy to cover
Toronto Sun-- Pat Quinn was a larger than life figure
Philly.com-- Former Flyers coach Pat Quinn remembered fondly
Philly.com-- Former coach Quinn recalled fondly by Flyers
Philly.com-- Quinn mighty helpful to young reporter
TSN-- Legendary NHL and Hockey Canada coach Quinn passes away
NBC Sportsnet-- Pat Quinn 'one of hockey's most respected individuals' has died
ESPN-- Pat Quinn had undeniable impact
ESPN-- Reaction to Pat Quinn's death
Sportsnet-- The Pat Quinn I never knew, but wish I had
Sportnset-- Pat Quinn: A towering life in hockey
Sportnest-- Pat Quinn will be remembered as a gentle giant
