Homegrown Hope

In this neck of the woods, this holiday long weekend is anchored by B.C. Day, which celebrates the province we British Columbians call home. With that in mind, the Sip Advisor wanted to look at the greatest citizens of the land (from the sports and entertainment realms, rather than politics, activism, and humanitarianism). Today, we salute these fine folks!

#5: Joe Sakic

Burnaby Joe, as he’s affectionately known in this corner of the world, was a two-time Stanley Cup champion (with the Colorado Avalanche – the team he now manages) and 13-time NHL all-star, winning numerous league awards during his career. Perhaps his greatest claim to fame was his role in leading Canada to their first Olympic hockey gold medal in 2002. Sakic recorded four goals and six assists in the tournament, including four points in the gold medal game, helping him earn MVP honours.

#4: Ryan Reynolds

The Green Lantern himself, Ryan Reynolds and I actually share the same alma mater and there is some debate over who is the most famous alumnus. Reynolds list of wives is quite impressive, rivaling his filmography. The Vancouver-born star has exchanged nuptials with singer Alanis Morissette, and actresses Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively. In 2016, Reynolds will star as the antihero Deadpool (in the film of the same name), a character he first played in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

#3: Seth Rogen

The cannabis smoking funny man responsible (with writing partner Evan Goldberg) for movies such as Superbad, Pineapple Express, This is the End, and The Interview, was born and bred in Vancouver. Rogen has also appeared in popular comedies including The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up,  Zack and Miri Make a Porno, and Neighbors, while providing his voice to animated productions like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and Horton Hears a Who! Not bad for an atypical Hollywood leading man.

#2: Steve Nash

Being an undersized white kid from Canada, not many could have projected that Steve Nash would have an NBA career, let alone a Hall of Fame caliber one. Even crazier, Nash didn’t start playing basketball until he was 12 or 13 years old. The Victoria, B.C. native (born in South Africa) recently retired after 18 NBA seasons, including two as league MVP. Today, Nash runs a chain of gyms located around the province, as well as owns a stake in the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer.

#1: Bryan Adams

The musician famous for songs such as Summer of ’69, Heaven, Everything I Do, and All for Love, has been rocking the world since the mid 70’s when he was only a teenager. Adams has also worked with some of the music industry’s most famous stars, including Tina Turner, Sting, Rod Stewart, and too many others to name. His work on soundtracks for movies like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and The Three Musketeers brought him to another level of international fame, which he enjoys to this day.

Super Saturday Shot Day: The Vancouver

• 0.75 oz Gin
• 0.25 oz Sweet Vermouth
• Splash of Jagermeister
• Dash of Orange Bitters
• Garnish with a Lemon Twist

Vancouver Canucks legend Trevor Linden (a Medicine Hat, Alberta native) would have been included on this list, had he been more than an adopted son of the province. One day, someone else will write a similar list and the Sip Advisor will rank among the greatest British Columbians… mark my words!