Canucks' Bains sees Punjabi, South Asian representation in local communities flourish
23-year-old became just 4th Punjabi hockey player to make the NHL
Arshdeep Bains lined up in the visitors tunnel ahead of his NHL debut with his fellow Vancouver Canucks teammates.
Draped in his team's away sweater with its signature green and blue striping, the Surrey, B.C., native was moments away from fulfilling his childhood dream of playing for his hometown team.
Veteran teammates Tyler Myers and J.T. Miller told Bains to take off his helmet, go out early and take his rookie lap before the cohort joined him.
The 23-year-old said a prayer and stepped onto the ice as he took his first strides around the barren Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. At that moment, it was official — Bains was in the NHL and just the fourth Punjabi player in league history.
"It's really important to acknowledge that," Bains told CBC Sports regarding being one of four Punjabi NHL players in history. "There is a lot of talent coming through, and that number will increase."
WATCH | Arshdeep Bains makes NHL debut with Canucks:
Bains joined Robin Bawa, Manny Malhotra and Jujhar Khaira as the only Punjabi players to lace up for an NHL game. For him, the February night was extra special, given the Canucks were on their mentor's trip — meaning his father, Kuldip, could watch him hit the ice.
Bains' father played ball hockey and cricket in India before he came to Canada — his passion for sports funnelled into his children. Whether it was hockey in his backyard with his two brothers and sister or a gathering in their neighborhood cul-de-sac, Bains grew up surrounded by hockey.
"Everything about hockey or my life had been with the support of my dad, even when I was younger," Bains said. "The fact that I am here right now, I owe it to him."
Importance of representation
Jujhar Khaira, the third Punjabi NHLer, was a role model for Bains growing up. He began training and skating with him when he was 12 and continued for eight years, becoming someone he looked up to.
"I said, if he can do it, then I can do it as well," Bains said. "I know that [representation] can have that importance on young kids, young South Asian kids trying to get into sports. Having him around when I was younger was special to me, and I hope to be that for kids coming up."
While Bains cites Khaira as an inspiration, the 29-year-old, who made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers in 2015, doesn't take too much credit for his Surrey counterpart's success.
"If I was able to help out and make him believe a little bit more, I think that's cool," Khaira said.
Now that both of them have made the show, Khaira is happy the NHL's Punjabi presence is slowly growing.
"It's cool to hear one of four instead one of three," Khaira said. "For us and our community, it is super cool."
With Khaira and Bains playing professional hockey, the two understand the impact they can have by simply putting on their skates and lining up at the faceoff dot.
"It brings excitement. It's just someone who [looks] like them who can do it," Khaira said. "If that inspires anyone, I think it is a good thing."
Outside of the NHL, both players are seeing South Asian hockey fandom flourish. Through first-hand accounts, Khaira is witnessing the growth in his local community.
"The amount of South Asian, Punjabi people you see playing, it's definitely a lot bigger than it was when we were coming up as kids," Khaira said. "If I was an influence at all, that's fantastic, but it shows that anybody can play if they have the opportunity."
"There is a lot of South Asians that play in Surrey and around the lower mainland, so it's really important to keep pushing the importance of this game for everyone who can play," Bains said. "It's not about the colour of your skin or where you're from or if you're an immigrant or not.
"I think that's a message that hopefully could keep spreading."
Bains playoff bound
The Canucks sent Bains to the AHL after his initial five-game stint in February. In March, Bains returned to the NHL lineup and stayed there for three contests before returning to the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL.
Wherever he plays, Bains is already seeing his impact on the hockey community in his young professional career.
"Seeing the kids come to talk to me and all the fans and support I'm getting, I think it's been special," Bains said. "I'm grateful that they look up to me, and hopefully, I can continue to be a role model for them.
"I'm sure there will be more role models to come."
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