Former Canucks tough guy struggling with post-concussion syndrome

Former Vancouver Canuck Gino Odjick sits next to Pat Quinn during a jersey retirement ceremony for Pavel Bure at Rogers Arena on Saturday November 2, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A former Vancouver Canucks enforcer known for his legendary scraps has been released from a Quebec psychiatric hospital where he received treatment for post-concussion syndrome.

Gino Odjick – a fan favourite who acted as superstar Pavel Bure’s bodyguard when the pair played for the Canucks – has dealt with the aftermath of being an NHL scrapper for years, he told APTN National News in a phone interview Wednesday.

The 43-year-old Algonquin recently checked into Pierre Janet Hospital, a hospital for people with mental health illnesses in Gatineau, Que.

“I’m just suffering through some major headaches right now,” Odjick said. “That’s why I retired, because of post-concussion syndrome.”

Former teammates of Odjick’s said they were concerned about his mental health in the days leading up to a Bure jersey retirement ceremony held by the Canucks last month.

Odjick was in attendance, but didn’t give a speech for his former teammate.

“I am going to go see some medicine people in Maniwaki,” his hometown in Quebec, Odjick said. “Do a sweat and get the medicine working, and be able to be on my way and keep working at it.”

In some First Nations traditions, a sweat is a form of ceremonial steam bath used in religious rituals and spiritual purification.

It isn't the first time Odjick has sought help for issues relating to post-concussion syndrome. In early November, he was admitted to the psychiatric unit at the University of British Columbia hospital.

He then travelled to Quebec after the death of his father, Joe, on Nov. 25.

Brain injuries have been a hot topic in the NHL since ten former players, including two former Canucks, filed a class-action lawsuit against the league – alleging it hasn’t done enough to protect players from concussions.

The lawsuit seeks damages and court-approved, NHL-sponsored medical monitoring for the players' brain trauma and/or injuries, which they blame on their NHL careers. Odjick’s name is not attached to the lawsuit.

Last week, sports injury specialist Dr. Shelina Babul told CTV News that repeated head traumas can contribute to something called chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

“Which akins basically to early onset dementia and alzheimers, mood disorders, seizures, anger, paranoia, panic attacks, those kind of things,” she said.

Odjick played for the Canucks for eight seasons before he was traded to the New York Islanders in the 1997-98 NHL season.

According to the league’s website, he appeared in 605 NHL regular season games and racked up a total of 2,567 penalty minutes, including 142 in 44 playoff games.