Arshdeep Bains of Surrey, B.C., made his debut for the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.
Bains suited up for his hometown team in their game against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver.
The 23-year-old forward was called up to the NHL club last week from the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, B.C., but was a healthy scratch for Saturday’s home game against the Winnipeg Jets as well as Monday’s game against the host Minnesota Wild.
Bains grew up a Canucks fan, and became one of only four Punjabi players to play in the NHL, the others being Robin Bawa, Manny Malhotra and Jujhar Khaira.
Family and hockey analysts say Bains’ Canucks debut is a positive step for Metro Vancouver’s growing South Asian community.
“What can you say? It is a dream come true for him,” said Arshdeep’s father Kuldip Bains, who was waiting to board a bus to Denver’s Ball Arena when reached by CBC News on Tuesday evening.
“We are so proud. The whole town is behind him, everyone is calling — it’s unreal.”
Bains is having a career-best season with the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, B.C. He has nine goals and 39 points in 42 games.
“For my whole life, I’ve tried to put my foot in the door at every level I’ve been to and it’s no different here. It’s been a heck of a journey,” Bains said during a media availability in Denver.
“It’s every kid’s dream to play for their hometown team.”
Surrey is B.C.’s second largest city by population and is located just southeast of Vancouver.