Cause of Death of Former Vancouver Canucks Player Gino Ojik Revealed

Gino Ojik, a fan favorite who spent eight seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, has died. Let’s see How Gino Ojik died and the cause of death of Gino Ojik in detail.

How did Gino Ojik die?

Gino Ojik, a former NHL forward, died Sunday of a heart attack. He was 52.

The devastating news was announced by his sister Dina on Facebook.

Francesco Aquilini, the team’s manager and chairman, released a statement expressing the organization’s condolences to Ojik’s family.

“Gino has been a fan favorite from the moment he joined the organization, putting his heart and soul into every shift on and off the ice.”

“He inspired many and epitomized what it means to be a Canuck. Personally, he was a close friend and confidant, someone I could count on for advice and support. He will be greatly missed.”

Rest in peace 💙 pic.twitter.com/Jg1UDO4pFe

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 16, 2023

The cause of death of Gino Ojik

We regret to inform you that Gino Ojik has passed away.

We are saddened to announce the passing of former NHL player and Algonquin legend, Gino Ojik, at the age of 52. Take it easy, you were an inspiration and so much more. 🪶 pic.twitter.com/8AaoQZg6ju

— Hockey Indigenous (@HKYIndigenous) January 16, 2023

Longtime companion Peter Leach, who was with Ojik when he died after collapsing an hour earlier at a medical clinic, provided information on Gino Ojik’s cause of death.

Leach told Postmedia over the phone,

“He had a heart attack, he couldn’t recover from it. We knew this day would come, we just didn’t know when. We were hoping for much later,”

“He collapsed in the clinic, thank God the nurses were there. They worked on it for 45 minutes.

“It was hard to watch.”

Ojik was diagnosed in 2014 with Al-amyloidosis, a rare blood condition that resulted in abnormal protein deposits coating and hardening his heart. After undergoing experimental treatment in Ottawa, he continued to defy the odds and by 2017 announced he was in remission. He was given weeks to months to survive.

Sadly, Gino Ojik passed away on January 15, 2023.

The cause of Gino Ojik’s death left the public inconsolable.

Who was Gino Ojik?

Wayne Gino Ojik was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger.

Ojik started playing hockey at a young age, but didn’t join an official team under Joe until he was 11 years old. Maniwaki Youth Ice Hockey Club entered him in the 1983 Quebec International Hockey Tournament.

Until the age of 15, Ojik played for local teams that often had his father as coach and mostly played other reserve teams. At that age, he considered giving up hockey to pursue other interests, but chose to accept a tryout for the Ontario-based Tier II Junior Hawkesbury Hawks.

Ojik was a defensive lineman until this point, but quickly realized his abilities were lacking and switched to a performer. Ojik was first nicknamed “The Algonquin Killer” at Hawkesbury in honor of his native origins and fighting prowess.

Racial conflicts between the reservation’s residents and the surrounding population, according to Ojik, contributed to his sense of duty to protect his unit and its fighting capabilities. He would later make efforts to encourage the local youth and showcase their capabilities.

career

Ojik competed for the Memorial Cup twice in his two seasons with the Laval Titan of the Quebec Junior Hockey League as a youth player. The Vancouver Canucks selected Ojik in the fifth round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft (86th overall).

Before making the Canucks his first team in 1990, he played 17 games with the International Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals, the Canucks’ minor league club. He immediately became popular with the crowd, who often shouted “Gino, Gino” in his honor.

He was mostly a performer for the Canucks. He shared a line with prolific scorer Pavel Bure during his time in Vancouver. From 1990–1991 to 1997–1998, he played a total of 8 seasons for the Canucks. He accumulated over 200 penalty minutes in six of those seasons and twice over 300. He had over 200 penalty minutes each with the Canucks (181 in 35 games) and the New York Islanders during his sixth season (1997–98). (31 in 13 games).

retirement

Ojik was traded to the New York Islanders during the 1997–98 season and played there until the 1999–2000 season when he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. He moved to Montreal in the 2000-01 season from Philadelphia. He played his final NHL season with Montreal in 2001–02.

He was hit in the back of the head with a puck during preseason practice, causing him to miss most of the 2002–03 season. The Canadiens later waived him in February 2003 for a no-show with Utah’s AHL minor league team.

His last known appearance in an organized hockey game was in 2005 when he was a member of the Horse Lake Thunder team. He then announced his retirement from professional hockey. The Thunder, who reached the semifinals of the Allan Cup in 2005, had several paid players on their roster, including former NHLers Theo Fleury, Sasha Lakovich and Dodie Wood.

After retirement

To run the Musqueam Golf & Learning Academy, Odjick moved back to Vancouver in 2003 and merged with the Musqueam First Nation.

Ojik played the title role in Adrian Patterson’s 2014 Canadian short film Ronnie Nomad and the Legendary Wooden Napkins. He received the Indspire Award 2015 in the sports category.

Tribute to Gino Ojik

Many people expressed their deepest sympathies to his family and expressed how much they loved him. The news of this event upset his supporters and fans.

Betty Patrick wrote,

“Sad to hear Gino Ojik pass on, rest in peace, prayers for strength and comfort to those you leave behind. I didn’t know Gino personally but was honored to be on the Canadian team that traveled to Rome in early 2009 for an IRS apology, I looked up to him as a quiet and gentle man who loved his family. Continued blessings to his family, friends and the many fans on Turtle Island and beyond “

RIP Gino Odjick, an absolute Canuck legend and one of the most popular players to ever play in Vancouver. A fearless fighter who always protected his teammates. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/T7RDULBO2R

— Grady Sas (@GradySas) January 15, 2023

Undoubtedly one of the most beloved fan favorites in the @Canucks and sports history in Vancouver. Gino Ojik played 8 of his 12 #NHL seasons in a #Canucks uniform. A hero to many, both in and out of hockey. I deservedly became a member of @BCSportsHall

REST IN PEACE @ginodjick pic.twitter.com/lbTxOFYPw1

— Joey Kenward (@kenwardskorner) January 15, 2023

Canadians are saddened to learn of the passing of Gino Ojik. The organization would like to express its deepest condolences to his family and friends. Thank you for all the memories, Gino ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OhFSlKd908

— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 16, 2023

As a child he was a hero. As an adult, it was an honor to call him a friend. Rest in peace, Gino ❤️ #GinoOdjik @canucksalumni #Legend pic.twitter.com/548RkL6Elm

— Paul Haysom (@PaulHaysom) January 16, 2023

So sad to hear of the passing of Gino Ojik today.

I clearly remember his first NHL game. He wore the number 66 and fought Dave Manson and Stu Grimson that night.

He was larger than life immediately.

RIP to one of the most colorful players of the 90s. pic.twitter.com/fx3EmN16fO

— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) January 15, 2023

One of the worst things a person can go through in life is losing a loved one. Every journey should have an end goal. Man’s time on earth has unfortunately ended now that he has died.

We wish him eternal peace and send our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones, family, friends. May he rest in peace.

Please use the comment box below to honor the passing of Gino Ojik leaving a tribute.

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