Celebrated as a consumate professional, a deeply kind person and an unwavering hockey fan, Richard Loney -- the man who sang the Canadian anthem since the Canucks first NHL season in 1970 -- has died.
In a statement released Wednesday, Trevor Linden, former player and Canucks president of hockey operations remembered Loney as an icon.听
鈥淭he entire 麻豆传媒映画Canucks organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of longtime anthem singer, Richard Loney.听Richard sang the anthem at the first Canucks NHL game in 1970 and his rendition of our National Anthem remained a welcome tradition at Canucks home games for over 40 years.听
"I was lucky enough to hear him sing O Canada so many times during my playing career. He鈥檚 been such a big part of our team鈥檚 history and was a true icon in B.C., lending his one-of-a-kind voice to the Lions, Whitecaps, Giants, and even at Safeco Field when the Blue Jays would come for their annual visit," wrote Linden of the one-time UBC Thunderbird hockey player.
"He supported sports at all levels and often volunteered for charities and for minor league hockey, baseball and soccer events around the Lower Mainland. He was such a nice man and I will miss him. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Marion, and his family and friends.鈥�
Loney got his start with the Canucks after he saw televisions personality Juliette Sykes sing the Canadian anthem at the first NHL Canucks game on Oct. 9, 1970. in 2011, "She was blonde and had a beautiful long dress. She looked great. Then four or five games down the road, I thought mabye I could do this." Loney contacted the club and the 麻豆传媒映画Opera singer because a 麻豆传媒映画anthem legend. He said in the same interview with the Victoria News, "It was a little bit nerve-wracking. I was kinda blown away by the whole thing -- the [Pacific] Coliseum, which was pretty big and impressive in those days, and the good crowd. I was more worried about falling on my face than singing the actual tune, O Canada. But I was so hockey mad, I would have paid the club to let me do it."
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On Twitter, sports fans and sportscasters added their condolences.听
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Sad day for long time fans with the news of the passing of Richard Loney. His anthems were part of my childhood, watching the games
鈥� Kent Basky (@KentGBasky)
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Sad to hear about the passing of Canucks anthem singer Richard Loney. Super nice man and he knew how to start a hockey game.
鈥� steve darling (@stevedarling)
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It'd be awesome if can find an old recording of Richard Loney singing the anthems and play it before a game this season
鈥� Andrew Ngo (@doods1484)
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Richard Loney was a no nonsense pro. But for a big Canucks playoff game he'd put a jersey on & wave towel at the end to get crowd going.
鈥� Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy)
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Here is he is in 1993, dapper as ever in a tuxedo, singing the anthem on April 19 before the start of Game 1 in the Smythe Division semifinal between the Canucks and Winnipeg Jets at the Pacific Coliseum. Linden was Vancouver's captain.听
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And here he is agian, this time in 2011 singing the U.S. national anthem before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between 麻豆传媒映画and the Boston Bruins at Rogers Arena. Jump ahead to the 3:00 minute mark.
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UPDATE: An earlier version of this story stated Richard Loney sang the anthem at the first NHL Canucks game. He joined the club later that season.
