Captain Kirk Was Out Of This World

You will get no arguments from me that Roberto Luongo, the Vancouver Canucks team captain, is the best goalie in franchise history.

But until he can deliver a memorable playoff a la 1994, my favorite Canucks goalie will remain Captain Kirk, Kirk McLean.

McLean was a wonderful stand-up goalie, amongst the last of a dying and now all but extinct breed. He was so calm and collected I remember referring to him as the Willowdale Cucumber.

Who can forget the series against Calgary, especially the famous save. He turned aside Dallas and Toronto, before appearing on the grandest stage in all of hockey: the Stanley Cup finals at Madison Square Gardens.

What an incredible game one he had, turning aside chance after chance, stunning the MSG faithful as the Canucks stole game one in overtime.

1994 is amongst my most cherished hockey memories. So much so that I had artist Brent Zaharia customize some McFarlane hockey figures to honour my heroes: McLean, Trevor Linden and Pavel Bure.

I proudly display this on the hutch above my work desk, often looking up at it when I need inspiration to write.

And that is not even the centerpiece of my 1994 tribute in my house. Right above my fireplace in my living room is a beautiful framed lithograph from the Canucks 25th anniversary, featuring the same trio.

So why am I going on about 1994 memories so much today? Because today Kirk McLean is coming to my hometown, along with Cassie Campbell and the Hockey Night In Canada crew, filming for Kraft Hockeyville 2009!

Will I get a chance to meet them? Who knows, although I am not one to thrust myself upon anyone. I will be more than happy to attend the Terrace River Kings playoff game on Saturday and watch each from the shadows. And as I do, I will think of the 1994 playoffs, and the 2002 and 2006 Olympics in the case of Campbell. I will reminisce and say thank you.