Canucks' winger establishing himself in NHL

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Gino Odjick has made himself into one of the most popular and most valuable members of the NHL Vancouver Canucks. In a year of minor disappointment all around in the Canucks organization - nothing has quite lived up to early season hopes - Odjick and his sidekick, "Russian Rocket" Pavel Bure, stand out because they've had sterling seasons.

Bure has lived up to his billing. The diminutive speedster is in contention to lead the league in goals scored. Odjick has grown from an enforcer into a complete winger.

In 1993-94, he's scored, hit and skated so well that he's played the power play and had a regular shift on Bure's left side.

The big winger from Maniwaki, Quebec, is 25 years old, 6'3" and weighs in at

220 pounds. After a spotty junior career with the Laval Titans of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he was picked fifth by the Canucks in the 1990 draft, 86th overall. He split his first NHL season between the big club and their Milwaukee farm team. Since then, he has become an integral part of the Canucks' plans.

It's been hard work for the self-effacing Native.

"Sometimes personal things have overshadowed team concerns," explains Odjick. "But that's one of the things that have to be overcome to become a contributor."

Odjick sees hard work as his forte.

"I've had three years under Pat Quinn, Canucks' head coach and general manager," Odjick laughs. "Some of what he's said seems to be sinking in. But I still believe that the first thing I've learned is to work hard every time I'm on the ice, even though I also believe that you've got to have fun off the ice."

Team-mate and NHL veteran Tim Hunter, who has trodden the same path as Odjick, speaks highly of Gino.

"He's underrated, really," says Hunter. "Of course he's very tough, and he's got all the skills and he's showing his talent this year. He's coming into his own."

As does Odjick, Hunter credits coach Quinn for much of Gino's development.

"This year he's getting the ice time that he earned over the last few seasons. His coach is patient and is showing confidence in him. For Gino, this has allowed him to not be afraid to make mistakes, and so his playing level has come way up."

Edmonton sports reporter and talk-show host John Short put Odjick into select company.

"Gino Odjick has come an awfully long way. He's in a group with Bob Probert, Marty McSorley, John Ferguson, that kind of player." Each of those men has got into the league with his fists but stayed not only as a "role player," hockey jargon for a fringe player with one skill, but as a regular contributor.

Odjick shrugs off such praise and talks, albeit somewhat unwillingly, about the fight he's had to make it. His toughest battles haven't been against players in other uniforms; they've been against foes within.

"I'm always lonesome for home," Odjick said after a game in Edmonton. "But this is my job and I've had to adjust and become comfortable with it."

Early in his career, he had anything that a young, good-looking athlete with money could have. But Odjick now speaks of what is important to him.

"When I was growing up, when I wanted anything I had to earn it myself."

He speaks from experience. "That's still the way it is. Drugs and alcohol don't help. They're a no-no. Nobody helps you there."

This is Odjick's theme for most of his conversation. In the big city, it takes a great deal for an outsider to get by. He and Bure, companions on the ice, are buddies off it as well. The small, skill player from Russia and the big, tough guy from a reserve in rural Quebec. Both are outsiders.

"In major junior, the inner strength wasn't there because I was drinking," said Odjick. "Now it is."

"I had fun with the guys but I want to go home every day. Every day is a struggle to stay here."

And after his career in hockey ends?

"I want to go back home, become a policeman in my community on the reserve. I know everybody there. I fit in there."