Ex-Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler seemed to have an epic night in the city yesterday.
The now-retired star went from the Canucks game to The Roxy where he hopped on stage, delivering a hilarious musical performance.
Kesler sang Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” at the classic Vancouver bar. Multiple videos of the centre testing his vocal skills have since popped up on social media.
Looks like Ryan Kesler had some fun at the Roxy last night postgame.#Canucks
(🎬:@SullyCanuck87)
— Noah Strang (@noahstrang_) November 13, 2024
The on-stage appearance came just a few hours after Kesler was spotted at the Canucks game. The 40-year-old downed his beer when he was shown on the big screen, drawing a raucous reaction from the fans at Rogers Arena.
The whole arena started cheering and chanting the former star’s name, proving he’s still beloved by this fan base.
RYAN KESLER pic.twitter.com/pYncz9MfZX
— Vanessa (@bigsportsvan) November 13, 2024
Kesler was shown on the big screen a few more times throughout the game, which ended in a 3-1 victory for the Canucks over the Calgary Flames.
The Michigan native has come back to Vancouver for games multiple times over the past few years. He brought his son Ryker to a postseason game last spring when the team was on its magical run.
Kesler played 10 seasons with the Canucks and was a key member of the 2011 team that made it to the Stanley Cup Final.
While former teammates Kevin Bieksa, Roberto Luongo, and Alex Burrows have been recognized by the team since retiring from their playing days, Kesler has not. He left the organization on shaky terms but has since said that he still considers himself a Canuck.
“I stay up a lot and watch Vancouver even though it’s 10, 10:30 my time,” said the former centre on the Donnie & Dhali show last spring. “I do stay up and watch them and it’s exciting to me still. I still feel like I’m a Canuck.”