Canucks’ Ian Cole announces he’s changing jersey numbers out of respect for Luc Bourdon

Newly-signed Vancouver Canucks defenceman Ian Cole is changing his jersey number.

On Friday, the Canucks announced the numbers for their three NHL free agent signings. Carson Soucy will wear number seven, Teddy Blueger will wear Bo Horvat’s old number 53, and Ian Cole was set to wear number 28, the number he’s worn for essentially the entirety of his professional career.

But upon the announcement, some Canucks fans took issue with the fact that Cole’s 28 was last worn by the late Luc Bourdon, who tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident just three months past his 21st birthday.

Cole was not made aware of the significance of the jersey number upon signing in Vancouver and didn’t take long to change his mind once the decision was made public. On Saturday afternoon, Cole announced that he’ll be wearing number 82 next season instead.

Here’s what the veteran defenceman had to say in a statement released by the team:

When I signed with the Vancouver Canucks, I was asked what number I wanted. I responded that I would love to wear #28, the number I’ve worn on my jersey since I was 12 years old and basically my whole professional career. When the selection was made public, I found out the significance of the number. While I did not know Luc nor did I know he wore #28 with the Canucks, I certainly remember his heartbreaking story and tragic passing. Out of respect to him and to honour his memory I have decided to change my jersey number to #82.

Cole will become the second Canuck in history to wear number 82, as the first and last player prior to Cole was Nikolay Goldobin, who wore the number in 2017 before switching to number 77 the following season.

Cole signed a one-year deal with the Canucks at a cap hit of $3 million on the first day of free agency earlier this month following a strong year with the Tampa Bay Lightning.