Canucks fans filled a Newton restaurant where Surrey-raised pro signed autographs Wednesday, March 20.
The Boston Pizza on King George Boulevard was busy for by Bains, who posed for photos and signed pucks, hats, mini sticks and other keepsakes.
His visit was arranged by restaurant owner Ryan MacEachern, who had contacted Bains鈥� agent to make it happen.
鈥淲e wanted to have him here because I think it鈥檚 great that he鈥檚 a Surrey guy, part of the community here, and it鈥檚 a big deal for local fans, the kids who look up to him,鈥� MacEachern said.
鈥淪urrey Minor Hockey is here with some players, and it鈥檚 exciting. They鈥檙e loving it. We鈥檙e donating $5 from every signature back to (the hockey association),鈥� where Bains played as a kid before moving on to more competitive hockey opportunities at Burnaby Winter Club.
Bains signed autographs for fees ranging from $30 to $45, depending on the purchased merchandise. When fans bought a $50 Boston Pizza gift card, two autographs were included.
鈥淭here鈥檚 been a lot of kids and it鈥檚 set up well here, running pretty smooth,鈥� Bains said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to see the kids here supporting me, maybe looking up to me. I鈥檓 happy to be here. I come to Boston Pizza all the time, so this is a win-win.鈥�
鈥� RELATED: .
A rookie forward, Bains made his NHL debut with Vancouver Canucks , played again in Seattle two nights later, then helped the Canucks to a comeback 3-2 win over rival Boston Bruins in Vancouver.
Just the fourth player with Punjabi roots to skate in the NHL, Bains played five games with Vancouver before reassignment to AHL affiliate Abbotsford Canucks, where he鈥檚 scored 13 goals and added 35 assists in 51 games this season (as of Thursday, March 21).
He鈥檚 still looking to score his first NHL goal, after getting some chances in February and kudos for good play from head coach Rick Tocchet.
鈥淚 learned a lot being up with the Canucks and have kind of taken that down to (Abbotsford), what I learned,鈥� Bains told the Now-Leader. 鈥淭he team鈥檚 been doing well and getting ready for playoffs, so it鈥檚 time for some important hockey now. With playoffs ahead, it鈥檚 just a good time to be part of this organization (in Abbotsford and Vancouver).鈥�
Mid-March, Bains stopped by Surrey City Hall to visit Mayor Brenda Locke and others. 鈥淎rshdeep has been an inspiration to so many in our community, and big things are ahead,鈥� the mayor tweeted.
Thanks for stopping by City Hall, Arshdeep! 馃彃馃槑 It was an honour to welcome the local star making Surrey proud.
鈥� Office of the Mayor (@SurreyMayor)
Arshdeep has been an inspiration to so many in our community, and big things are ahead. Thank you for visit, and we are all cheering you on!
Jeff Shelton, who鈥檚 heading into his fifth season as president of Surrey Minor Hockey, was at the Newton restaurant Wednesday to meet Bains for the first time.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a very respectful, nice young man,鈥� Shelton said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud that Arshdeep鈥檚 roots are in Surrey Minor, where he played as a kid. It鈥檚 awesome to see. I mean, look at this place, it鈥檚 filled with kids, young hockey players who look up to him and maybe want to play in the NHL like him.鈥�
The association has close to 500 players currently signed up, Shelton said. 鈥淲e had a decent year on the ice 鈥� a few banners here and there. No provincials this year, but close,鈥� he added.
The family-owned BP restaurant was opened in Newton 30 years ago this month, MacEachern noted. 鈥淚t was in 1994, just in time for the Canucks鈥� playoff run that year,鈥� he said of the business, which still involves his father, Dan.
