Canucks' Bains sees Punjabi, South Asian representation in local communities flourish

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."

Jujhar Khaira, the third Punjabi NHLer, was a role model for Bains growing up.