Canuck has ties to COVID-fighting firm
Bauer Hockey, now making medically-approved face shields, employs Pearson’s father
The novel coronavirus numbers in Tanner Pearson’s home province are staggering.
As of Wednesday, there were 5,276 confirmed cases in Ontario and 174 had died.
Only Quebec had higher national confirmed numbers with an astounding 10,031 COVID-19 cases and 175 deaths.
And yet, even with self-isolation and social-distancing directives, the Vancouver Canucks winger knows there’s always hope because of health initiatives and technological innovations. And he doesn’t have to look far in his native Kitchener, Ont., for historical and family footprints.
Bauer Hockey was founded in Pearson’s hometown in 1927. It has production facilities in Blainville, Que., and Liverpool, N.Y., and employs Tanner’s father, Tim, as strategic program manager. The sporting goods manufacturing giant answered the COVID-19 call for transition by switching from making hockey visors to medically-approved face shields for front-line health workers.
Not only did that help a company in a production lull when the NHL regular season was paused on March 12, it also helped reduce a worldwide critical shortage of masks for hospital workers.
As of this week, there were more than 700,000 orders.
The company is mass producing masks at a break-even point of $6 apiece with any profits destined for charities — anything to stem the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the confirmed-case curve.
“It’s a huge part, and not just what Bauer is doing,” Pearson said Wednesday during a conference call from Kitchener.
“Companies are making medical gowns out of jerseys and others are making similar face shields. It has gone a long way and everyone wants to help out, which is a real positive thing going around the community for sure.”
So is virus awareness on a daily basis.
“We have people around here who are involved in the health-care system, so we have a good idea of what’s going on around town and we’ve done a pretty good job of not leaving the house,” the 27-year-old winger said.
“We’ve been getting a lot of stuff delivered and wiping it down. Our families just drop stuff off at the doorstep and we talk to each other through the car window. It may seem silly, but we have to take care of my son (Tucker) and family and grandparents. It’s scary how easily this can spread.”
The COVID-19 restraints keep Pearson, his wife (Meaghan) and son planted in their new home and they attempt to unwind and unplug.
“No video games in this household and we’ve put electronics away as much as possible,” Pearson said.
“We’ve watched shows when Tucker is having a nap or is being put to bed. We attempted a couple of puzzles but never got through them — too frustrating. But we’re going to rock the Scrabble board tonight.”
In addition to maintaining a level of conditioning with body-weight exercises, Pearson also purchased a Peloton stationary bike and rollerblades around Kitchener.
As to what may or may not come of the season on hold, Pearson is pragmatic about the resumption amid health concerns.
“Everyone wants to get back and not miss out on a chance to compete in the playoffs,” Pearson said.
“But you have to go about this in a safe way and smart way that makes sense for every team in the standings.
“I’ve obviously had a pretty good season and team-wise, we were right there knocking on the door to be in the playoffs.”
Pearson was fifth in club scoring with a career-high 45 points (21-24) when the season was suspended. He obviously is buoyed by what the Canucks could do in the post-season — depending on how decision dominoes fall — with a healthier roster, four 20-goal scorers and a fourthranked power play.
At the schedule pause, the Canucks were tied with Nashville for the final Western
Conference wild-card spot with 78 points apiece.
The Predators hold the tiebreaker with more regulation wins, and if the regular season was sacrificed and playoffs awarded on points, the Winnipeg Jets, with 80, and Predators would claim the two wildcard spots.
The Canucks would be out. However, if the regular season was scuttled and post-season berths determined by points percentage, the Canucks would advance to the playoffs for the first time in five years. And even if the season was rolled back to an equal 68 games, the Canucks would claim the second wild-card position on points and face the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round.
As for the points-percentage possibility, the Canucks would be third in the division on the win tiebreaker with a .565 percentage and be the No. 3 seed and face No. 2 seed Edmonton Oilers.
The Canucks went 2-2-0 against the Oilers in the regular season and Pearson had seven points (3-4), including his first career four-point effort in a 5-2 win at Edmonton on Nov. 30.
“They obviously have the two heavy hitters (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl), but if we do get the call back and we’re in (on points percentage), anything can happen after that,” said Pearson.