One of the original Vancouver Canucks and a former Trail resident has been chosen as the team manager for the B.C. senior provincial boxing team.
Garth Rizzuto, who now resides in Fernie, heard that he had been picked about a week ago, and will be accompanying the B.C. boxing team to the nationals in Sydney, N.S. next month.
“I’m really excited about the role,” he said. “It’s a big commitment, but hopefully we will come back with some medals.”
The 63-year-old Rizzuto will manage boxers from all over B.C., as they hit the ring for the weeklong national tournament that begins Jan. 9.
“Last time I went to nationals as a coach, and came back with five medals,” he said. “Hopefully this time we can come back with even more.”
Rizutto played centre in the NHL and the World Hockey Association during the early 1970s.
He was picked up by the Canucks in their inaugural 1970-71 season as a utility player and was the first player born and trained in B.C. to wear a Canucks’ jersey.
With files from the Fernie Free Press.