On Wednesday morning, former Vancouver Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo announced his retirement from the NHL.
The 40-year-old hangs up his skates after 19 seasons in the NHL, including eight with Vancouver.
Fans in Vancouver remember him for his Olympic gold medal on home soil, as well as the iconic Stanley Cup run in 2011.
Here are some of the fans’ reactions to his announcement.
See also
- Roberto Luongo announces retirement from National Hockey League
- Arbitration fear sends Canucks' Ben Hutton to unrestricted free agency
- Hockey Hall of Fame announces 6 new members as 2019 inductees
Roberto #Luongo ..The best goalie in Vancouver #Canucks history. Enjoy retirement @strombone1 ..hope to see your number in the rafters one day pic.twitter.com/hOzOUYavBG
ā CANUCKS (@Canuckbound) June 26, 2019
not to be emotional or anything, but i grew up watching the Luongo/Sedin Canucks, and they made me fall in love with hockey. weird to see them all retired https://t.co/OjjkOysOPy
ā Amy (@amyyvandermm) June 26, 2019
Congratulations to Roberto Luongo (@strombone1) on a magnificent NHL career. Thank you for all the amazing memories in Vancouver, from the 2010 Winter Olympics (Gold Medal) to the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, you are definitely the greatest goalie of all time for the #Canucks. https://t.co/Yb754ZtzAL
ā Jesse Choo (@JesseChoo) June 26, 2019
āBingo Bango Bongo Great Save Luongoā Iāll never forget those words from my child hood when watching the #Canucks. Thanks for the memories Bobby!
ā Nathan (@Zehnlol) June 26, 2019
Congrats on an awesome career Lou ! BTW, never think you cost us the Cup, you gave us #Canucks fans the best chance we never had for the previous 17 long years. Was a hell of a run. š„ #Luongo https://t.co/5fbds1OZ22
ā BTF (@screenwrite59) June 26, 2019
Sad to see Luongo retire but what an amazing career the dude had, Proud that he was a Canuck for so long, I wonder if a media career is next, his personality is made for TV. šā¤
ā Chris Hardiman āšØššøš (@AJoyForever83) June 26, 2019
The best goaltender in #Canucks franchise history. Thank you, Roberto Luongo.
ā Jonathan Benjamin (@JonathanB455) June 26, 2019
Roberto Luongo embodied a complete pro athlete. An inspiring advocate in the community and a fierce competitor on the ice, he always did it with class and a light-hearted smile. Congrats on one hell of a career, Luuuuuuuu. #ThankyouLu @Canucks @strombone1 #NHL #FirstBallotHOF pic.twitter.com/wamOjveld4
ā Steven Bailey (@StevenBailey90) June 26, 2019
Thanks for all the memories sir. You will always be a Canuck in my eyes! Enjoy your time off, but please continue your twitter presence.
BINGO, BANGO, BONGO, HIS NAME IS LUONGO! pic.twitter.com/roMp6v5Mn8ā Colin the TinManāšØš¦ (@Tinman_73) June 26, 2019
So many amazing memories, from the gold medal win in Vancouver to countless great seasons for the Canucks. A lot of love for Luongo in this town, we’re forever grateful. https://t.co/1t9V1oX6u8
ā Vineet Deo (@vDeoo) June 26, 2019
@strombone1 I cannot express to you sufficiently enough what having you on the #Canucks meant to us fans. The day the team acquired you, I actually ran around the office yelling “WE GOT LUONGO!” Best. Day. Ever. Thank you, Roberto for giving us your best. #nhl #robertoluongo
ā Pre-Emptive Salvager (@erikthedane) June 26, 2019
Loved being your fan. Walking through Vancouver, knowing nothing about hockey, saw a Luongo jersey. Said to my wife, “the Canucks have a player with your maiden name!” Bought her your jersey and have followed you and hockey ever since.
ā David Johnston (@DJohnstonOly) June 26, 2019
Roberto Luongo is a legend to fans in #Vancouver, a market that has far-too often been unreasonably difficult to its goaltenders. He brought us an Olympic-sized party in 2010, and within a game of @canucks greatest hockey moment. Thank you, Luu. #legend #nhl https://t.co/jWHTq322F1
ā James Somaeck (@somaeck) June 26, 2019
What a nice heartfelt letter from Luongo. I have many found memories of his time in Vancouver playing for the Canucks. Wishing you all the best @strombone š https://t.co/8YakFrwX8r
ā Leah Sims (@justaddflowers) June 26, 2019
if luongo retiring prevents the canucks from signing tyler myers, that would be the best save of his career
ā the 3.6 roentgen mound šµ (@PITmounD) June 26, 2019
Roberto Luongo may have just made his best save as a Canuck. #CapRecapture #NoMyers
ā Tim Hogg (@ThoggPxP) June 26, 2019
Words can not describe what Luongo did for Canucks fans, the city of Vancouver, and myself.
An idol for many, and a role model for all. Best of luck Bobby Lu š https://t.co/T7cnmitGlt
ā Greyson Elmore (@greysonelmore) June 26, 2019