Holiday shoppers at the Canucks Team Store received a special treat of their own on Tuesday, December 14th. A line of more than 150 fans wound through the store before ending up face-to-face with Canucks hero, Stan “Steamer” Smyl, and legendary broadcaster, Jim Robson.

Steamer and Robson were scheduled to set up shop from 4:00 to 5:00pm, but extended their visit to accommodate the many patient fans. They gladly signed copies of the commemorative book, Canucks at Forty, in which they each boast their own pages. The dynamic duo shared stories about “old times” and their thoughts on the current Canucks line-up in between posing for photos.

For fans standing in line, the visit was worth the wait. One fan recalled meeting Jim Robson at a previous signing event years earlier. Robson mentioned he didn’t own any pictures of himself in the broadcast gondola and this fan took it upon himself to change that. He came to the Team Store prepared with blown-up copies of such a photo to give to Robson.

With the season of giving in full swing, the signing offered fans a chance to get their own thoughtful gifts for friends and family. Those who attended can count on earning an extra slice of turkey come Christmas day when loved ones unwrap their personalized Smyl- and Robson-signed Canucks at Forty.

Smyl and Robson are memorable fixtures in the history of the Canucks organization.

During his 13 year career in Vancouver, Steamer spent 8 seasons as the team’s captain and set records for games played (896), goals (262), assists (411) and points (673). After retiring in 1991, he served as an Assistant Coach for the Canucks, and Head Coach of their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch and Manitoba Moose. Smyl was the first Canuck to have his number 12 retired and is currently a Senior Advisor to General Manager, Mike Gillis.

Jim Robson was the voice of the Canucks for nearly nearly 3 decades, calling close to 2,000 Canucks games. An inductee of the Hockey Hall of Fame, BC Hockey Hall of Fame, and BC Sports Hall of Fame, he is also the namesake of the Jim Robson Broadcast Gondola in Rogers Arena.

Smyl and Robson continue to lend their experience and wisdom to the Vancouver Canucks as members of an advisory committee responsible for selecting inductees for the Ring of Honour.