To say that Canucks fans were excited when Brock Boeser finally agreed to a new contract on Monday would be an understatement.
Hell, even his teammates were jacked. Here’s how Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat reacted to the news:
https://t.co/OAwaOXVFIP pic.twitter.com/DsgWIYsqlK
— Elias Pettersson (@_EPettersson) September 17, 2019
While most observers didn’t think the 22-year-old would actually miss a portion of the regular season, the longer the stalemate lasted, the more angst there would be for all parties. Getting the deal done allows Boeser to settle in with his teammates and prepare for the regular season.
While there was some debate as to the best course of action — signing him to a long term extension or the bridge deal he eventually agreed to — fans are just happy to have Boeser back in blue and green.
A fan favourite, Boeser is loved by Canucks fans for more than his exceptional play on the ice.
1. That glorious flow
Ok, let’s start with the superficial.
Boeser’s glorious blonde locks earned him the best nickname on the team: The Flow. It’s hair made for hockey, if not a Hollywood actor.
It inspired this fan-designed t-shirt, which is raising money for BC Children’s Hospital:
Who cares about the games?#THEFLOW is back!!
Go get yourself a shirt or hoodie or hat OR TUQUE!
Remember: ALL PROCEEDS go to @BCCHF this season so go now. Let's help all sick kids across BC with the best care possible.https://t.co/r5Mo7cDZ30 pic.twitter.com/jXMhARwN9e
— Cam (@tinfoiltuque) September 17, 2019
2. Good head on his shoulders
Boeser won over fans in Vancouver even before playing his first NHL game. The story of his relationship with Baylee Bjorge, who has Down syndrome and happens to be Boeser’s biggest fan, is as heartwarming as it gets.
Baylee asked Boeser to prom on social media, when she was a high school senior and he was playing for the University of North Dakota. Her mother subsequently shut down her social media accounts, but Boeser went out of his way to contact Baylee anyway so that he could accompany her to prom.
'It was amazing,' says prom date of UND hockey player Brock Boeser https://t.co/piU3EsJoCd @myUND @UNDmhockey pic.twitter.com/meLkydTMBA
— GFH Sports (@gfhsports) May 11, 2016
The pair have stayed in contact since, with Boeser gifting her Canucks swag and visiting her whenever he has been back to Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Here they were just last week:
ā¦@BBoeser16ā© ā¦@Canucksā© ā¦@BayleeBjorgeā© ā¦@NHLā© #bestlunchdateever #goodguy #redpepper #FriendsForever #1fan pic.twitter.com/718bLSOkGy
— Katie Marcotte (@k8marcotte) September 13, 2019
3. Love for his family
One visit to Brock Boeser’s personal Instagram page and it’s obvious how close the Burnsville, Minnesota native is to his family.
Recently, he has posted updates on his father Duke, who is battling cancer. Fans also got a glimpse into the relationship Boeser has with his family in the Sportsnet feature “Building Brock,” as well as the behind the scenes video produced by the Canucks before his first NHL game when his mom and dad introduced the starting lineup.
4. Overcoming adversity
Despite his age, Boeser has dealt with a considerable amount of adversity and tragedy in his life.
Brockās father has not only had to deal with multiple diseases, but also nearly died in a car accident in 2012 that left him with aĀ traumatic brain injury, several broken bones and a lacerated spleen.
Two years later, four of Brockās friends were involved in a tragic vehicle accident, leaving close friend Ty Alyea dead. Brock has worn No. 6 ā Tyās number ā on his jersey ever since. No. 6 was also Dukeās number in high school.
5. Heās really good at hockey
Ok, finally, Boeser’s one hell of a hockey player.
A pure goal-scorer, along with the Pettersson, Horvat, and Quinn Hughes, Boeser represents hope for the future given the exceptional start he’s had to his NHL career.
Boeser burst onto the scene, scoring in his first NHL game in 2017, before finishing as the runner up for the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2018. HeĀ has 59 goals in his first 140 NHL games — a mark that only Pavel Bure accomplished quicker in a Canucks uniform.
And hopefully, the best is yet to come.