Gino: The Fighting Spirit of Gino Odjick

From veteran hockey reporter Patrick Johnston and Gino’s longtime friend Peter Leech comes the authorized biography of Gino Odjick. In the 1980s and ’90s, National Hockey League games were very different from the nimble, skill-focused displays we see today. One of the greatest differences—and one of the sport’s more popular facets at the time—was the widespread presence of “enforcers”: hulking, battle-scarred players whose main task was to police the sport by chasing down and brawling with opponents who had broken unwritten codes determining which aspects of violence counted as dishonorable or unjustified. When hard-hitting Vancouver Canucks player Gino Odjick emerged in the early 1990s, he quickly became one of the game’s most feared enforcers and revered teammates, a sign of a new era for the team, racking up 296 penalty minutes in the 45 games he played in his rookie season. Hailing from Kitigan Zibi, an Algonquin community near Maniwaki, Quebec, Gino was one of the few Indigenous players in the NHL at the time. But it was Gino’s ferocious play contrasted by his genuinely affable and openhearted personality off the ice that won him a special place in the hearts of Canucks supporters. Yet legends often obscure the human stories behind them. Hockey journalist Patrick Johnston and Peter Leech look beyond Gino’s legendary persona, drawing on insights from family members, friends, and teammates to recount Gino’s early years in a loving household that was always ready to welcome foster children. Gino’s father, Joe, had suffered the lonely traumas of the residential school system, and the experience had instilled a commitment in the family to those who were less fortunate. The book also details Gino’s eventual struggles with alcohol abuse, and how he responded by taking on the role of empathetic mentor to young Indigenous people, travelling from community to community to hear their stories and offer hope. He never wavered in this role, even as he confronted serious illnesses, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the rare blood disorder that he survived for years longer than expected, but that eventually led to his death at age fifty-two. Gino is a moving tribute to a beloved hockey legend.

About the Author :
Patrick Johnston is a sports journalist with the Province daily newspaper in Vancouver, BC. He specializes in hockey reporting and analysis. Peter Leech is a former professional hockey player and member of the T'it'q'et Community Village of the St'at'imc Tribal Nation who specializes in working with First Nations communities and organizations, public and private sector companies, individuals, teams, and young adults (i.e., youth) in all aspects of life. His athletic accomplishments include a stint with the East Coast and Central Hockey Leagues. He also won a gold medal in boxing at the North American Amateurs. Peter's athletic talents extended to soccer, where he played semi-pro soccer and worked in developing professional athletes both on and off the playing field. Peter is also a very proud and loving husband and father of three.

Review :
"Gino was the greatest teammate; he had such a huge heart and knew his role better than anyone in the league. Gino loved being a Vancouver Canuck and gave back to the community in so many ways. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and fans. This book will give people insight into his remarkable life." —Geoff Courtnall “Johnston and Leech’s Gino proves to me that Gino Odjick stands among the most interesting, intriguing, and decent people ever to play the great game. A great read.” —Roy MacGregor "I had the pleasure of playing with Gino for parts of three seasons. As this book shows, he was a great teammate, loved everyone on his team and looked after all of us on the ice. Vancouver was lucky to have him. He is missed by many but never forgotten!" —Russ Courtnall “Gino provides a compelling account of the life of a beloved Vancouver Canuck. From his humble beginnings in Quebec to NHL stardom and beyond, Odjick was dedicated to the well-being of teammates and the Indigenous community. This is an excellent tribute to an exceptional man.” —Randi Druzin, author of Between the Pipes and Behind the Mask "As this book shows, Gino was the ultimate warrior and the greatest teammate you could ever ask for. The opposition knew Gino had your back, and I felt safe. Miss you my friend!" —Cliff Ronning “Gino was the heart and soul of the Canucks during some of our greatest heights, as well as our greatest adversities. Johnston beautifully describes how Gino got into the game and what he did once he got to the NHL. He was a pleasure to play with and a total pain to play against.” —Stan Smyl “Gino is a fitting tribute to one of the most authentic hockey players and people I have ever met. Fiercely proud of who he was and what he accomplished.” —John Garrett, former NHL player and sports broadcaster