Ailing Odjick to have arena named after him

MANIWAKI, Quebec (AP) Gino Odjick's hometown is naming an arena after the ailing former NHL player.

The rink will be called the Gino Odjick Sports Centre in honor of the 43-year-old Odjick, who has been diagnosed with a rare heart condition. Doctors say he might have only weeks to live.

Director general Daniel Mayrand says the arena will officially be renamed on July 19, and the town is working on getting Odjick to make an appearance by video conference. Odjick's family has been invited to attend the ceremony.

Mayrand says Odjick was born on the nearby Algonquin reserve of Kitigan Zibi, and he played atom and peewee hockey at the arena.

Odjick, an NHL player from 1990-2002, is being treated at a Vancouver hospital, where dozens of cheering supporters held a recent rally to support him.