First Impressions
January 26, 2026 ended up being one of those nights at Rogers Arena that just felt great to be part of. The Shoresy Crew rolled in to close out the Shoresy Classic In Vancouver. Right from puck drop it was obvious this night was about fun, community, and a shared love of hockey far more than the final score. Across the ice were the Canucks Alumni. And honestly, just seeing that group together again was worth the price of admission. It felt like a full-on reunion. Familiar faces from the past were back in Vancouver to raise money for charity, and the crowd soaked up every second of it. Two shortened periods kept things moving, a staged fight gave everyone a laugh, and mid-game shootout brought just enough tension to keep people on the edge of their seats. The Shoresy Classic In Vancouver dropped a close 10–9 decision, but nobody in the building was pretending this was an NHL playoff game. That was the charm. Delivering exactly what you want from an event like this.
What Stood Out
The buzz started well before the puck hit the ice. Vancouver fans were already roaring as the Alumni roster was announced, and it really was a lineup like no other. It had been seven years since the Sedin twins last played in the city. Seeing Henrik and Daniel back out there felt special. They were joined by Kyle Wellwood, Eddie Lack, Cliff Ronning, John Craighead, Kirk McLean, Adrian Aucoin, Geoff Courtnall, Chris Higgins, Jim Vandermeer, and plenty more. Adding to the star power was three time Olympic gold medalist Meghan Agosta, who got a huge spotlight moment when she buried a big goal in the shootout. Leading the Alumni side were coahes Dave Babych, Stan Smyl, and Jyrki Lumme. Craighead, now known as the owner of the Surrey Knights, brought the house down late in the first period when he dropped the gloves with Jim Seesequasis.
On the Shoresy side, fans got Sudbury’s finest in full force. Shoresy himself was front and center alongside The Jims, Goody, Hitch, Dolo, Fish, Delaney, and the rest of the crew. One of the night’s standout moments came in the second period. Henrik and Daniel Sedin comedically swapped jerseys with Jordan and Brandon Nolan. A gesture that drew a massive response from the crowd. Earlier, fans were treated to a video from the Shoresy locker room laying out the stakes. If the Alumni hit ten goals, shirts were coming off. Surely enough, near the end of the second period, that promise was kept, and the building went wild. What really stood out was how hard some of the Shoresy players went. Guys like Fish and Sly weren’t just putting on a show, they were clearly trying to win.
For a lot of fans, the second period was the most gripping stretch of the night. Goals were flying in both directions, the tension kept building, and even in the final seconds it felt like the Shoresy Crew might steal it. The puck was zipping around, Eddie Lack was battling in net, and the crowd was fully locked in. Some fans were yelling at the players, others were counting down the final seconds. Moments later it just like that, over. What followed was all smiles. Players laughed, hugged, and thanked one another as the arena soaked in the moment. Jared Keeso (Shoresy) took center ice to thank the fans for the incredible turnout and to mark what felt like a perfect ending to the Shoresy Classic run. Alumni forward Mike Brown was presented with the game stick by Terry Ryan, a powerful and emotional moment following Brown’s recent health battle.
How it Finished
Even after the final horn, the night wasn’t done. The Shoresy Crew stayed out for nearly an hour signing autographs and taking photos. Giving fans one last chance to connect. It was a fitting sendoff and a reminder of the joy this group has brought over five seasons of Shoresy. Nights like this are the reason why hockey in this city will always feel special.
Final Take
The Shoresy Classic In Vancouver was one for the books. Once again were given the oppurtunity to witness the legneds of the city’s past. Albeit, against a team who’ve proven themselves more than just actors. It was match that felt like something out of a dream. A game I know the city and myself will never forget. I’d like to thank New Metric Media and the Shoresy Classic In Vancouver Crew for allowing me to experience the incredible game. If you’d like to learn more info on the hit-series Shoresy, you can find it streaming on Crave or find more info here: Shoresy Website
