Canucks auctioning off signed Roberto Luongo gear from infamous Heritage Classic game
It was supposed to be a showcase for the Vancouver Canucks. Instead it turned into an explosive sideshow.
At the 2014 Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators, then-Canucks coach John Tortorella made the fateful decision to start Eddie Lack over Roberto Luongo. Lack played poorly as Canucks fans chanted Luongo's name throughout the contest.
It turned out to be the last insult, the final nail in the coffin, for Luongo's Canucks tenure. Following the club's snub of the star goaltender, Luongo's immovable contract suddenly became not so immovable, and he was dealt to the Florida Panthers several days later.
Luongo has made no secret of the fact that the Heritage Classic slight ultimately lubricated the deal that sent him from Vancouver to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jacob Markstrom and Shawn Matthias.
Ever the good sport though, Luongo recently signed his Heritage Classic equipment so the Canucks could auction it off for the benefit of the Canucks for Kids foundation.
Now up for auction to benefit @CanucksforKids: @strombone1's Heritage Classic gear & more! → http://t.co/fJfyO0YPNG pic.twitter.com/TuJVMExIHh
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) January 19, 2015
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and the winningest goaltender in Canucks franchise history proceeded to joke about how the equipment isn't quite game-worn on Twitter:
@VanCanucks @Canucksforkids great deal here for a great cause! Plus they're like brand new, never been used.......
— Strombone (@strombone1) January 19, 2015