Photos: Roberto Luongo and the Canucks: The early years
 

Photos: Roberto Luongo and the Canucks: The early years

 

After years of futility in his first six NHL seasons with the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers, the star goaltender found a home — and the playoffs — in Vancouver.

 
January 11, 2013
 
 
 
The two newest Vancouver Canucks — defenceman Willie Mitchell and goalie Roberto Luongo — were introduced at a press conference in Vancouver on July 4, 2006
 

The two newest Vancouver Canucks — defenceman Willie Mitchell and goalie Roberto Luongo — were introduced at a press conference in Vancouver on July 4, 2006

Photograph by: Les Bazso, Province

 
The two newest Vancouver Canucks — defenceman Willie Mitchell and goalie Roberto Luongo — were introduced at a press conference in Vancouver on July 4, 2006
First training camp: Roberto Luongo takes instruction from goaltending coach Ian Clark in Vernon,B.C. on Sept. 18, 2006.
First win as a Canuck: Roberto Luongo dives to cover the puck as Johan Franzen of the Detroit Red Wings closes in and Josh Green comes to help, in Detroit on Oct. 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. The Canucks beat Wings 3-1.
First shutout: Sami Salo (6) and Ryan Kesler (17) come to the aid of Roberto Luongo to stop Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane (88). Luongo recorded his first shutout as a Canuck on Oct. 25, 2006 with a 5-0 win over Chicago. Luongo now has 33 shutouts with the Canucks among his 60 in the NHL.
First benching: Roberto Luongo was pulled in the second period after Anaheim Ducks third goal in a game in Vancouver on Nov. 9, 2006.
Following a ritual that has added to his popularity with fans, Roberto Luongo hoists his stick over the boards to a fan after a 1-0 shutout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 28, 2006 in Vancouver.
Lauren Pewarchuk has her Vancouver Canucks jersey signed by her favourite goaltender Roberto Luongo during the Canucks trip to B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver on Dec. 5, 2006.
Roberto Luongo is flattened after taking a puck in the wrong place in a game against the Edmonton Oilers on Jan 5, 2007.
Roberto Luongo and his wife Gina take part in the Vancouver Canucks’ ninth annual Dice and Ice event at the Hyatt on Feb. 12, 2008 to raise funds for the Canucks Kids Place and Children’s Hospital foundations.
Cover of the Feb. 20, 2007 edition of The Hockey News featuring Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo.
Arriving in Vancouver meant introducing Roberto Luongo’s family to his fans here. Sun columnist Mike Beamish’s feature brought Luongo’s parents Lina and Tony from their Montreal home to the West Coast in February 2007.
Dallas Stars Niklas Hagman (15) flies into Roberto Luongo as Luongo makes the save during first period of NHL playoff action in Vancouver on April 11, 2007.
Roberto Luongo and Canucks coach Alain Vigneault share a laugh during the press conference at which Luongo was announced as the new captain of the team on Sept. 30, 2008.
Roberto Luongo takes a serious stance at the press conference to announce he was the new captain of the Canuckson Sept. 30, 2008.
Roberto Luongo does a promotional photo on Oct. 1, 2007, for Pacific Newspaper Group’s Raise A Reader campaign.
Roberto Luongo is stands tall in a game of table hockey at the the Sports Celebrities Festival at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Nov. 6, 2007. It was all in a good cause to raise funds to support of the Canucks for Kids Fund and Special Olympics B.C.
Roberto Luongo gets down to some serious card-playing as the Canucks play host to their annual casino benefit night on Feb. 12, 2007.
Willie Mitchell, Markus Ohlund and Roberto Luongo joined long-time (Captain Canuck) Trevor Linden for his number-retirement ceremony on Dec. 17, 2008.
Roberto Luongo, Mattias Ohlund and Ryan Kesler model the new retro Canuck uniforms in style on Nov. 13, 2008.
Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin of the Eastern Conference scores in a shootout against Roberto Luongo of the Western Conference to give East team a 12-11 win in the NHL all-star game in Montreal on Jan. 25, 2009.
Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin of the Eastern Conference team has a laugh with Roberto Luongo of the Western Conference team in Montreal after the NHL all-star game on Jan. 25, 2009. Ovechkin scored the game-winning-goal in a shootout against Luongo.
Roberto Luongo explains his groin injury at press conference on Nov. 24, 2008. Luongo missed several weeks of play with the injury.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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5/21/2013 8:51:47 AM
 
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