The holiday spirit was in full swing at Amazon’s YXX2 fulfillment centre in Richmond as local hockey stars Danton Heinen, left winger for the Vancouver Canucks, and Surrey’s own Arshdeep Bains, currently with the Abbotsford Canucks, made a surprise visit. Alongside team mascot FIN, the players stopped by ahead of the Canucks’ December 23 Prime Monday Night Hockey game against the San Jose Sharks to spread cheer and give back to the community.
Greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of Amazon employees, Danton and Arshdeep participated in a lively Q&A session, sharing personal insights, like Danton’s go-to pre-game meal of salmon and pasta, and reflecting on the pride of playing in front of hometown fans. The excitement didn’t stop there – Amazon and the players presented a $10,000 donation to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, continuing a partnership that has provided over 40,000 items to local families since 2021.
In a hands-on moment, the players rolled up their sleeves to pick and pack customer orders, experiencing Amazon Robotics technology firsthand. YXX2, Western Canada’s first Amazon Robotics fulfillment centre, processes thousands of orders daily during the holiday season. Both players were impressed by the cutting-edge technology and the dedicated team behind the magic of Amazon’s seamless holiday operations.
“Amazon is proud to be part of the local community,” said Darkhan Urmurzin, Senior Operations Manager at YXX2. “It was an honor to welcome Danton and Arshdeep and showcase the incredible people and technology that deliver for our customers.”
For the players, the visit was more than just a holiday stop. “Players like Danton Heinen and Arshdeep Bains inspire us all,” shared Jas Dhanoa, Operations Manager at YXX2, who hosted the Q&A. “They’ve grown up in Greater Vancouver, played in local leagues, and now shine in the NHL, proving that you can achieve your dreams.”
As the Canucks prepare for Prime Monday Night Hockey, the event was a heartwarming reminder of the connection between community, technology, and holiday giving.
