Heart Over Size: Cliff Ronning on His Journey to the NHL and the 1994 Run That Still Stings

John Shannon sits down with Vancouver Canucks fan favourite Cliff Ronning for an honest and heartfelt conversation about a career defined by determination over size.

Ronning traces his path from the New Westminster Bruins to living out his dream of playing for the Vancouver Canucks, crediting coaches like Pat Quinn for seeing past his stature and believing in what he could bring to the game. He revisits the heartbreak of the 1994 Stanley Cup Final — a run that united a city and came agonizingly close — and reflects on the culture and leadership that made that team so special. Ronning also opens up about life after hockey, his family, and the growth of the game in Europe, particularly in Germany. 

The conversation closes with Ronning offering a message to new Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra, emphasizing that patience and respect are the foundations of any successful team.