If you’ve been a Vancouverite since at least the early 90’s, then you have likely grown to love and appreciate the level of excellence, leadership, grit and straight up awesomeness of the man I had the privilege of interviewing recently... “Captain Kirk”.
I know Kirk McLean personally through my fundraising for Canucks Autism Network (CAN). I got to sit down with him and ask him questions about his NHL career.
McLean definitely ranks up there with Steve Nash, Trevor Linden, the Sedins, Pavel Bure, Big Country Reeves...(ok, maybe not him) as one of the city’s most beloved sports superstars!
Before Kirk McLean was stopping high flying NHL pucks, he was a junior with the Oshawa Generals. Captain Kirk played in the NHL from 1986-2001, but he is best known for his 10 and a half seasons with the Canucks.
Fundraising for CAN is memorable for two reasons – one, because I get to raise money for a place close to my heart. Two, because I’ve got to meet and hang out with so many Vancouver Canuck legends.
Kirk and I first met at the 2012 CAN Family Festival. He was handing out signed pics. When I reached $100,000 raised for CAN all-time, the office threw a party for me at Mahony’s and Captain Kirk made a surprise appearance.
How old were you when you started skating?
I was 5 years old. As a kid growing up in Willowdale, Ontario, did you always play goalie? I played out my first year of hockey. Were you a playmaker or a sniper? Playmaker. When did you realize you wanted to be a professional hockey player? I was 15. What goalies did you idolize growing up?! Bernie Parent and Jacque Plante.
Who had the hardest slap shot that you played against?
Al Mcinnis had the hardest shot in the NHL at the time. Toughest player to stop on a breakaway? Super Mario. Who’s the best player you ever played with?! A toss up between Bure & Mogilny. The funniest? Garth Butcher and Geoff Courtnall. What is your favourite memory as a Canuck?! The 1994 playoff run.
No surprise there. I asked him a few questions to go more in-depth about that 1994 playoff run.
Pat Quinn was the head coach at the time. He obviously had a huge impact on your career. What were the most valuable lessons you learned from Pat as a person and a professional? Pat Quinn told me to respect everyone and the game of hockey. To work hard and that it was a privilege to play hockey in the NHL.
Captain Kirk had some huge games in that 1994 run and throughout his Canucks career. There’s one lesser known game that stands out for me. It was a shutout performance in the Monteal Forum against the Canadiens.
Kirk stopped over 50 shots to get the shutout. He got the first star of the game and a standing ovation from the Montreal crowd. Definitely #classicallyfresh and legendary. McLean deserves to look back at his career with great pride & admiration. To close out my article on Kirk, I’ve come to realize what a fan favourite he was in Van City. One thing that stands out to me nowadays is how good he is in the community with the Canucks Alumni Foundation.
Visiting various places, bringing Canucks fever to places that probably didn’t have it – and more importantly, supporting important causes.
Captain Kirk played in the NHL when I was really little, so having the opportunity to interview him and talk about the legendary 10 and a half seasons he had with the Vancouver Canucks was an epic experience. Definitely #classicallyfresh. #shanksforthememories my friend.
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About Bob Shanks
I am the Canucks Autism Network's Top Fundraiser, having raised over $200,000 since I began in 2012. |