Vancouver Canucks treats families of Tumbler Ridge shooting victims to game experience

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — Families of the victims of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting had an “unforgettable experience” at a recent hockey game in Vancouver. 

Maya Gebala played hockey in Tumbler Ridge before she was severely injured in the shooting, and her mother Cia Edmonds posted on social media on Sunday to say her family and others affected by the tragedy were invited to a recent Vancouver Canucks game.

She said highlights included meeting team members and getting a private VIP lounge.

Edmonds, who said they had been in the hospital “since day one,” called the game “a bittersweet experience” but said they really enjoyed themselves, especially Gebala’s sister.

“The entire time the thought of ‘Maya would have loved this’ and the shame of it all would subtly drift in, like a bad smell,” Edmonds wrote in her post.

“The period three, they played ‘Living on a prayer,’ the song Maya practised every day all last summer relentlessly, so she could sing on stage at the town festival,” she said.

“It played loud, everyone sang along. and I felt like she was there for a moment.”

The community suffered a deadly mass shooting on February 10th and nine people – including the assailant – lost their lives, with many more injured. 

Gebala remains in hospital with injuries that include a gunshot wound to the head. Last week, Gebala made improvements, with her breathing tube removed.

Donate to the fundraiser for Gebala here. 

With files from The Canadian Press.