Retired Vancouver Canucks goaltender Richard Brodeur, known as 'King Richard' for his heroics in the team's 1982 Stanley Cup run, is opening a new art gallery in downtown Parksville, British Columbia. Named Gallery 35 after his jersey number, the space will feature Brodeur's own nostalgic paintings of backyard hockey rinks, landscapes, abstracts, and contemporary works, alongside art from half a dozen other artists. Brodeur has painted professionally for over 30 years, inspired by early mentorship from artist Claude Picher, and has sold his hockey-themed works across Europe, Asia, and Australia.
The opening matters because it highlights the intersection of sports celebrity and visual art, expanding the local arts scene in Parksville. Brodeur's gallery aims to be a community hub hosting classes, paint nights, exhibitions, and demonstrations, potentially drawing tourists and year-round visitors. It also underscores how athletes can cultivate private creative passions—Brodeur kept his painting hidden during his NHL career—and later share them publicly, enriching regional cultural offerings.