Vancouver honoured a longstanding tradition at the 2019 NHL Draft on Friday.

They booed Gary Bettman.

Loudly.

See also

Bettman isn’t popular in any NHL city, though he appears to be extra loathed by Canucks fans.

“Hello Vancouver! Whenever I come here, I admire the emotion and the passion,” Bettman said, as boos rained down on him from all corners of Rogers Arena.

Here’s Gary! pic.twitter.com/OtewJN9rsC

— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) June 22, 2019

The NHL commissioner expects it, of course, so he arrived to the west coast with a trick up his sleeve.

“Wait, I have something for you which I think will change the mood,” he said, before exiting the stage.

Bettman returned with Henrik and Daniel Sedin, which turned boos into cheers, though it served to be an awkward moment.

It also only delayed the inevitable.

Scars run deep from four work stoppages during Bettman’s 26-year reign as league commissioner. So does the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

Canucks fans booed the commissioner whenever he stepped up to the microphone, for picks one through 31.

Can't even hear Bettman they're booing so loud in Vancouver.

— James Mirtle (@mirtle) June 22, 2019

I can pretty much guarantee this is the loudest and longest-lasting booing Gary Bettman has ever received at a draft.

— Daniel Wagner (@passittobulis) June 22, 2019

Bettman just got booed so loudly that I couldn’t hear what he was saying. He walked off the stage and brought out the Sedin twins with him. Huge applause. Veteran move Gary. pic.twitter.com/eXzwM6Ouaz

— Dominic Šramaty (@Sramaty650) June 22, 2019

You can’t even hear Gary Bettman. #Canucks #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/KAhCgCWcIC

— Clay Imoo (@CanuckClay) June 22, 2019

Booing Bettman was worth $27.50

— Malcolm (@malcolmert) June 22, 2019

"Keep it up if you can…" Bettman just taunting the Vancouver fans now…

— Ryan The Hockey Guy (@RyanHockeyGuy) June 22, 2019

I love Bettman's reactions to boos. It gets better every year.

— Andrew Berkshire (@AndrewBerkshire) June 22, 2019

Bettman comes out with the Sedins to avoid the boos. He is a very smart man pic.twitter.com/MuYEHhtrmL

— Omar A (@omarcanuck) June 22, 2019

Bettman booed so loudly — drowning out his remarks — @RogersArena he fetches Daniel and Henrik Sedin from backstage for cover. Mission accomplished. Large cheers and a tribute to the twins on the videoboard follows.

— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) June 22, 2019

See also