Tuesday’s Vancouver Canucks game was one to remember for Teddy Blueger, but not for the reason you might guess.
The 30-year-old didn’t score a highlight-reel goal, didn’t get in a huge fight, and the Canucks didn’t even win the game. It was memorable because his mom, Jana, won the 50/50 raffle.
She’s heading back to Latvia with an extra $105,853 in her pocket.
“It was a good night for her for sure,” Teddy said with a laugh after Canucks practice on Thursday.
“[It was her] first time playing actually, she didn’t know how it worked. My wife had to explain it to her.”
Jana is visiting from Riga, Latvia, as a large Blueger contingent has come to Vancouver to watch Teddy play before the holidays. The big win ensures this vacation is sure to be talked about at family functions for a long time.
“Got a bunch of family here,” explained Teddy. “My dad, my grandma, my brother was out, aunt, uncle, my cousins, kind of a big family reunion.”
She plans to attend a few more games while in Vancouver, and Teddy thinks she will keep playing the 50/50.
The Canucks 50/50 draw takes place at every game. Fans can purchase tickets to enter the lottery. Half of the ticket revenue goes to the Canucks for Kids Fund, and the other half goes to a lucky fan, like Teddy’s mom.
While you do have to be located in British Columbia to win, you do not need to be a resident.
Teddy makes US$1.8 million per season on his NHL contract, meaning his mom made roughly 4% of his yearly salary in one night.
Teddy Blueger said his mom is visiting from Latvia and had never played 50/50 before.
First time playing and she wins more than $100k.
Not a bad vacation.#Canucks
— Noah Strang (@noahstrang_) December 12, 2024
Think Teddy might be getting a big Christmas gift under the tree this year?
“Probably not,” he chuckled.