Calgary's Canucks hold off on anniversary celebrations

What if you threw a bash and nobody came?

The Calgary Canucks aren't about to go there.

Despite turning 50 this season, the Alberta Junior Hockey League franchise has opted out of its anniversary party programming.

They weren't about to dance with COVID.

“There were plans, yes,” confirmed Canucks governor Sandy Edmonstone. “And we will celebrate it the next time we get a hockey season where we're allowed to have fans.”

But for now, the Canucks aren't about to mark the occasion without their faithful followers.

From Day 1 of the 2020-21 AJHL schedule, they've been limited by COVID protocols, allowing just 100 total fans per game in the home barn — Ken Bracko Arena at Max Bell Centre.

And that's when there's been a season.

“What's the point of having a party and celebrating by yourselves?” Edmonstone said. “We are a community-based team, and everything we do is for the community. With the volunteer work our organization does, whether it's in the seniors facilities and in the schools, everything is community-minded.”

The thought early on in the campaign was that a birthday event might eventually go off without a hitch.

After all, the league returned in the fall, thanks to a government exemption alongside massive protocols and the hope was a return to normal — with unlimited fans in the stands — at some point on the calendar.

But an increase in COVID numbers across the province shut down the league in late November before it got another exemption to start up again last month — this time in front of only scouts, billets and families.

“It's been a tough year,” Edmonstone said. "We're a casualty of COVID like many others. Quite frankly, not being able to celebrate our 50th year is a real small price to pay in relation to the impact it's caused on a lot of people out there and what they're suffering.

“We're definitely not complaining about it, but it is unfortunate.”

The festivities were to largely focus on the Canucks alumni.

There's been many Canucksturned-nhlers — such as Dany Heatley, Corey Hirsch, Dana Murzyn and Mike Vernon — as well.