jannikhansen36 ♥ // Roberto Luongo is a Living Legend in My Book...

Roberto Luongo is a Living Legend in My Book…

I grew up in awe of what Kirk McLean did for the Canucks during their 1994 run to the Cup. I was only 8 at the time, but I knew greatness when I saw it. He did incredible things and made miraculous saves that I’ll never forget. Since that year, I’ve boasted about being fortunate enough to see a warrior, go to battle, and take his team as far as any one can go. Sure, McLean had the support and help of his team, but the saves that he made to keep his team in it, remain a fixture in my mind. He was, and is a living legend. Taking your team to a game seven, Stanley Cup Final is no easy feat…and now I have another Canucks legend to tell my future generations about: Roberto Luongo.

As much as I respect Kirk McLean, Roberto Luongo has surpassed what I thought greatness was in a goalie. Luongo has been through hell in this city. He’s been torn apart by the fans, the media, and despite it all, he’s remained humble, kind, and respectable throughout his time in Vancouver. Very few athletes respond to criticism like Roberto did. Instead of lashing out at his so-called fans (that would sooner BOO him than LUU him at any given opportunity) Roberto kept calm and fired back with strong performances. And despite all the hate, he’s given his all to bring the Canucks President’s trophies and a Western Conference Championship (oh, and let’s not forget a gold medal to Canada). Not bad for a goalie who was deemed to never make it past the first or second round in the post-season.

Roberto’s talent, humility, and genuine good nature has all of my respect. I’m sorry for the garbage he’s had to put up with as a Canuck. I appreciate everything he’s done for my team and will always speak highly of him. It’s not easy to post TWO SHUTOUTS in a Stanley Cup Final, kids, and I’ll be sure to remind anyone who speaks unkindly of him about that astonishing achievement. He saved Vancouver from the goalie graveyard. He helped revive this team from that dark stretch. Unfortunately, Vancouver so easily forgets all this man has done for this team and probably won’t realize just how great he is until he’s gone.

If Roberto’s not a Canuck come the start of the season, I’ll be sure to tell my future generations that Luongo wasn’t run out of this city, it was just time for him to move on to a place where he got the respect and loyal admiration a proven elite goaltender like him deserves. He’s one of a kind. Thank you Bobby Lou

POSTED 10 months ago ♥ 19 notes