Words to think about as this regular season wraps up.
April 19, 2024
I’m sure I’m not alone wishing He was around to both enjoy and write about this amazing season. It’s been a wild 82 games so far.
12 comments
RIP Botch
We have too many doomer kids in this subreddit. When you’ve watched this team since the 80s and 90s you appreciate how awesome this season has been and how awesome the playoffs will be. I got tickets to all 4 games (if needed). Can’t wait to cheer the boys on.
When he died in April of 2019, the team was still amidst a downward spiral that had begun after the Canucks lost in game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup finals. There wasn’t much to be said about hope or confidence in anything the Canucks had been doing in the years since.
All we had left was our sense of humour, and it was used mostly to make fun of the team we love.
But Botchford held out hope that things would improve.
Someone posted one of his last articles before he died on the Canucks subreddit the other day. It was interesting to see where the team was five years ago compared to where they are now.
His writing style in his “Athletties” column (a play on the “Provies” as he called it when he wrote for The Province) was unique in that it felt like a mishmash of his thoughts compiled into article format.
But it worked so well. It was humourous, it made solid analytical points, it involved the community. They were always a great read.
He ended that article with something that sends chills down my spine now:
*“I kept asking him why our world seemed to be collapsing and everything seemed so shitty.“*
*And he’d say, ‘That’s the way it goes, but don’t forget, it goes the other way too.’*
*“That’s the way hockey in Vancouver is.*
*“Usually, this is the way it goes.*
*“But every once in a while, it goes the other way, too.*
*”I can’t wait for it to go the other way.*
This year the Canucks have been one of the best teams in the NHL.
I can’t help but think Botchford would have enjoyed the hell out of this run, whether or not it ends in a Cup. I feel like I owe it to him to enjoy it now.
**(part of something I wrote for a class earlier this year, thought maybe I’d share it here)**
For Botch
I often think about what kind of relationship he would have with pettersson by now. He was pretty close with him during his rookie year. What an amazing and insightful guy.
Reading this now gives me goosebumps. Let’s go Canuck fam!
Way she goes bud
Was thinking of taking a root beer beaver buzz down to his memorial bench and pouring one out for him.
That hits hard every time
You’re so cool.
You’re so cool.
You’re so cool.
We all miss you Botch. Hope you’re enjoying this run!
Now we’ll be fistpumping to Thunderstruck!
– Aquilini LOOK AT MY TEAM!!!
The void Botch left behind still hasn’t been filled. Miss his takes and would’ve loved to hear his takes on the current roster. He was able to dig deep and report stuff about the team and players that no one else does.
12 comments
RIP Botch
We have too many doomer kids in this subreddit. When you’ve watched this team since the 80s and 90s you appreciate how awesome this season has been and how awesome the playoffs will be. I got tickets to all 4 games (if needed). Can’t wait to cheer the boys on.
When he died in April of 2019, the team was still amidst a downward spiral that had begun after the Canucks lost in game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup finals. There wasn’t much to be said about hope or confidence in anything the Canucks had been doing in the years since.
All we had left was our sense of humour, and it was used mostly to make fun of the team we love.
But Botchford held out hope that things would improve.
Someone posted one of his last articles before he died on the Canucks subreddit the other day. It was interesting to see where the team was five years ago compared to where they are now.
His writing style in his “Athletties” column (a play on the “Provies” as he called it when he wrote for The Province) was unique in that it felt like a mishmash of his thoughts compiled into article format.
But it worked so well. It was humourous, it made solid analytical points, it involved the community. They were always a great read.
He ended that article with something that sends chills down my spine now:
*“I kept asking him why our world seemed to be collapsing and everything seemed so shitty.“*
*And he’d say, ‘That’s the way it goes, but don’t forget, it goes the other way too.’*
*“That’s the way hockey in Vancouver is.*
*“Usually, this is the way it goes.*
*“But every once in a while, it goes the other way, too.*
*”I can’t wait for it to go the other way.*
This year the Canucks have been one of the best teams in the NHL.
I can’t help but think Botchford would have enjoyed the hell out of this run, whether or not it ends in a Cup. I feel like I owe it to him to enjoy it now.
**(part of something I wrote for a class earlier this year, thought maybe I’d share it here)**
For Botch
I often think about what kind of relationship he would have with pettersson by now. He was pretty close with him during his rookie year. What an amazing and insightful guy.
Reading this now gives me goosebumps. Let’s go Canuck fam!
Way she goes bud
Was thinking of taking a root beer beaver buzz down to his memorial bench and pouring one out for him.
That hits hard every time
You’re so cool.
You’re so cool.
You’re so cool.
We all miss you Botch. Hope you’re enjoying this run!
Now we’ll be fistpumping to Thunderstruck!
– Aquilini LOOK AT MY TEAM!!!
The void Botch left behind still hasn’t been filled. Miss his takes and would’ve loved to hear his takes on the current roster. He was able to dig deep and report stuff about the team and players that no one else does.