Canucks: Quinn Hughes visits Kelowna firehall with $250,000 team donation to Red Cross

Article content

Newly minted Vancouver Canucks Captain Quinn Hughes paid tribute Friday to firefighters in the Okanagan, which has been ravaged by wildfires that destroyed homes and forced thousands out of their homes.

Article content

Hughes brought a $250,000 team donation to the Canadian Red Cross and he and Canucks executives visited the West Kelowna Fire Department to thank firefighters for their efforts.

Article content

Hughes, who was named the 15th captain of the team on Monday, said he was honoured to represent the team.

“As many know, my grandfather was a New York City firefighter for more than 30 years,” said the Florida-born defenceman. “Hearing stories from him and my family undoubtedly had an impact on me growing up so when (Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford) asked me if I wanted to be here today, I was honoured to be asked.”

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said Quinn’s presence was a morale booster.

“To have Quinn visit the firehall meant so much to our team and lifted our spirits at an important time,” he said in a statement.

Article content

Hughes and the Canucks team were also in town for the 10th annual Young Stars Classic in Penticton this weekend.

The donation was funded by an online auction that raised about $72,000, with Canucks ownership and the Canucks for Kids Fund contributing the rest.

“We can never say thank you enough to the fire departments for their courage through this horrific wildfire season,” said Rutherford. “To be here with Quinn, and to hear their stories, reminds us all of how important these brave people are to families across B.C.”

Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.

You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber: For just $14 a month, you can get unlimited, ad-lite get unlimited, ad-lite access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.