Bains said signing with his hometown team also is special because of the potential impact he could have within the large South Asian community, whether it's in Vancouver or Abbotsford, where the Canucks' American Hockey League affiliate plays.
"Obviously when I signed I got a lot of messages coming from all sorts of people saying how proud they are of me, how they look up to me, so it was really special when that happened," he said. "If somebody has to look up to me, I take pride in that and I always want to be there for somebody. If I can help kids from Surrey, or any ethnicity, play hockey, that's super special, and I'll keep trying to be a role model for anyone who wants to."
Robin Bawa
, a retired forward who became the first NHL player of Indian descent when he debuted with the Capitals against the Flyers on Oct. 6, 1989, said Bains' potential imprint on hockey in the Vancouver area and beyond can't be overstated.
There have been four players of Indian heritage to reach the NHL: Chicago Blackhawks forward Jujhar Khaira; Bawa, who played for Washington, Vancouver, the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks from 1987-99;
Manny Malhotra
, a Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach who was a forward for the Canucks, Sharks, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens from 1998-2016; and
Andreas Martinsen
, who was a forward for the Canadiens, Avalanche and Blackhawks from 2016-19.
"'Arsh' is now a role model," Bawa said. "A lot of minor hockey kids, their parents will really be taken because they'll see one of their own playing. It gives them hope, 'Hey, there's one of our kind playing in the American Hockey League or even in the NHL.'"