Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch is on a mission – and if this past month is any indication, people are taking notice.
“It’s been busy, but I’m sure not complaining,” says Hirsch, who divides his time working as a hockey analyst with Sportsnet 650 Radio and spreading his message to those suffering in silence with mental health challenges.
Earlier this week Hirsch was named winner of the 2022 Jack Diamond Sports Personality of the Year Award by organizers of the JCC Sports Dinner. That came on the heels of being appointed Wellness Ambassador for 2022 by the ICBA (Independent Contractors and Business Association).
Prior to the ICBA announcement, Hirsch triggered a prolonged ovation at the sold-out Canucks Alumni fundraiser at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver when he asked everyone to stand. Not knowing what was coming next, Hirsch said:
“Any of you who’ve experienced firsthand or have had a loved one go through addiction, anxiety, or depression, please sit down.”
In unison, the 400 guests settled back into their chairs.
Hirsch penned his personal story for The Players’ Tribune in 2017, sharing how he struggled with mental health issues that led to a suicide attempt during his playing career.
“Too many of us suffer in silence,” he says. “We’re all so afraid. I want people to know they are not alone.”
Beginning in January, Hirsch will take his ‘Wellness in Construction’ message on the road to six cities including Victoria, Surrey, Fort St. John, Prince George, Kamloops and Kelowna.
“That fits right in my wheelhouse,” he says. “We have a mental health challenge in our society and construction workers are no exception.”
SCENE & HEARD:
Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but before getting overly excited about winning an advertised $1 million should a Canucks player score five goals in a one game, take note: it hasn’t happened in the 51-year history of Vancouver’s NHL franchise. Close, but no cigar.
Ten Canucks are in the record book for scoring four times in a single game. Markus Naslund and Bobby Schmautz did it twice; Rosaire Paiement, Petri Skriko, Greg Adams, Tony Tanti, Rick Blight, Pavel Bure, Martin Gelinas and Daniel Sedin each scored four on one occasion.
Schmautz loved to tell the story about his mom visiting from Saskatoon the night he scored a hat trick against the Los Angeles Kings at the Pacific Coliseum during the 1972-73 season. “Well, you scored three, why not go for four the next game?” Schmautz quoted his mother as saying.
Incredibly, two nights later the feisty right winger scored four against the Buffalo Sabres, again with his mom in the Coliseum stands.
Schmautz repeated the four-goal feat a month later against the New York Islanders. Naslund’s four-goal performances came a year apart against Edmonton (2001-02) and Pittsburgh (2002-03).
But five in one game? Despite Darrell Jones’ enthusiasm on those Save On Foods TV commercial breaks, the Canucks’ faithful could be waiting another half-century.
HERE ‘N THERE:
Stan Smyl can now be written into the NHL record book for having the shortest term ever as an interim general manager: four days.
Canucks’ owner Francesco Aquilini officially handed Smyl the title on a Sunday night and by Thursday afternoon named Jim Rutherford president of hockey operations and interim GM.
If it’s any consolation to Smyl, the way he handled himself at Aquilini’s side was superb during the media scrum confirming the hiring of Bruce Boudreau and firings of Jim Benning and Travis Green. When things got uncomfortable for Aquilini facing tough questions, Smyl was there to bail him out.
The man they call ‘Steamer’ has spent his entire professional hockey career with the Canucks organization as a player, coach, scout and senior advisor, and was equally impressive in a nationwide Sportsnet interview with Caroline Cameron prior to Rutherford’s hiring.
Smyl would be wise to keep those videos as part of his resume. They’ll come in handy when a serious offer happens his way.
END ZONE:
One of the most popular sports radio personalities ever to grace the Vancouver market is battling health issues. Ron Barnet, 81, is awaiting hip surgery due for arthritic problems and continues to undergo tests to repair his vision.
Currently bedridden at Royal Columbian Hospital, he’s now been declared legally blind, an aftereffect of being diagnosed with COVID-19.
Affectionately referred to as ‘Barney’ by his legion of friends and followers, he arrived in Vancouver in 1982 after 18 years with CKCK Radio in Regina, primarily covering the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
He was Jim Robson’s backup for Canucks’ play-by-play assignments on CKNW when Robson was called to do Hockey Night in Canada telecasts during the 1982-83 through 1985-86 NHL seasons.
Barnet also worked the sidelines and post-game shows at BC Lions games and was inducted into the Vancouver Canadians Broadcast & Journalism Hall of Fame after several years of C’s play-by-play radio coverage from Nat Bailey Stadium.
Barney’s daughters, Danine and Janell, encourage folks to brighten their father’s spirits by sending an email to [email protected]
“We’ll read him any messages that come our way,” Danine says. “He’d be thrilled, especially at this time of the year.”
Greg Douglas ‘Dr. Sport’ contributes to The Orca on a biweekly basis. His five decades of covering sports in British Columbia included 19 years as a weekly columnist with The Vancouver Sun.
