It was a scene straight out of a classic '90s movie – minus the "We Are the Champions" soundtrack – as the Abbotsford Canucks touched down back at home on Tuesday afternoon (June 24) to a crowd of adoring fans.
Dozens of people had gathered at the Abbotsford International Airport, with many more at Abbotsford Centre, all waiting to give the players and staff a hero's welcome following their historic season and their Calder Cup win on Monday night against the Charlotte Checkers.
Homemade signs, signature Canucks towels, and team jerseys turned the tarmac into a sea of blue and green as the players filed out one by one, with the Calder Cup hoisted high in the air for all to see.
Some players stopped to sign merchandise, take photos with fans, and give those in attendance a chance to touch the trophy, which is in Abbotsford now for the first time ever thanks to an impressive playoff run by the Canucks.