Former Oiler Ethan Bear Acknowledge's The Hockey World's Most Recent Death in Touching Way

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Tyler
January 16, 2023 (10:04 PM)

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The news of �The Algonquin Assassin's' death shocked the hockey world to it's core on Sunday, and for one former Oiler it hit him in a different way.

In Indigenous culture the little coincidences run a little deeper and signal something more.

And it just so happened that Ethan Bear notched a goal on the same night, that the news of Odjick's passing was announced.

And Bear had this to say. According to Jonathan Larivee at Hockey Feed:

"I heard I scored right after he passed so I think that's pretty powerful," said Bear after the game. "It was meant to be. Maybe he was there for me on that shot."

Odjick a member of the Algonquin tribe, was a trailblazer for Indigenous NHL players and he paved somewhat of a path for future Indigenous players to live out their dream of playing in the NHL.

Bear continued about the impact Odjick has had on him and fellow Indigenous players in professional hockey.

"Everybody knew who Gino Odjick was growing up," enthused Bear. "He was definitely one of the first indigenous players to make a trail for the rest of us. Whenever you lose a legend like that and honestly a big influence in the native community, it's tough."

It's often said that some things are bigger than the game and certainly Bear's words hold weight towards that statement.

R.I.P Mr. Odjick and my condolences to his family, friends and all who were impacted by Gino.