A celebration was in full effect at Rogers Arena late Sunday as the Vancouver Canucks honoured one of their longest-running offensive players and put up a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The mood the next morning, however, was markedly different.

During the team’s practice skate today (November 24), Canucks president Trevor Linden was joined by former players Kirk McLean, Stan Smyl, and Orland Kurtenbach for a news conference on the passing of Pat Quinn. The former Vancouver Canucks player, coach, and general manager died on November 23 at the age of 71.

“Kirk [McLean] and I went to see him Friday morning,” Linden told a group of reporters. “He didn’t look well but he still had that stubborn Irishness about him and still had that Pat Quinn ire. We had a nice visit, so I was very thankful to have that opportunity.”

Linden joined the Canucks in 1988 after being selected by Quinn, who was president and GM at the time. Three years later, the 21-year-old centre was named captain of the team—the same year that Quinn took over as head coach.

“He loved to teach and he made sense of the game,” Linden recalled. “He was a very proud individual and tremendous leader. For me, he was a real mentor. He really taught me the game. A lot of the lessons he taught me, I still think about today.”

McLean, who played alongside Linden in the 1994 Stanley Cup Final, echoed a similar sentiment about his experiences being coached by Quinn.

“In the locker room, in between periods, he was the type of guy that had a presence and taught you the game of hockey,” he said. “I wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for Pat. He and Brian [Burke] and Bob McCammon brought me here in ’87 and allowed a punk kid coming in from New Jersey to make his way into the NHL.”

Former winger and assistant coach Smyl told reporters that Quinn was not only a beloved coach, but a great ambassador for the team as well. Smyl credited Quinn with turning the team around and helping the Canucks gain public respect during the 1980s and 1990s.

“He took no crap from the people back east. He stood up for his teammates. He stood up for the owners of the organization, and he stood up for the people of B.C., the fans here. That was Pat,” he added.

For Linden, who was appointed president of the organization in April, Quinn was a source of advice about the job throughout the spring—even while dealing with illness.

“I knew that his health wasn’t well and we spoke regularly because he had so much experience and so many years to fall back on,” Linden said. “He was a great man because he cared and loved his players, and he cared about people. His outer exterior was rough and tough, but he loved his players, and I think people saw that. People saw the connection and passion he had for people.”

Linden confirmed that the Canucks will honour Quinn at Tuesday (November 25) night’s game when Vancouver faces the New Jersey Devils at Rogers Arena.