A statue was erected two years ago in Winnipeg honoring the great, late Dale Hawerchuk. Unfortunately, it has just been vandalized by criminals. The recent defacement of a statue honoring Winnipeg Jets legend <a href='https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/08/26/unsportsmanlike-conduct-as-downtown-ducky-statue-vandalized' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Dale Hawerchuk</a> has sparked outrage among fans and the community. The statue, located in True North Square and unveiled in October 2022, was dirtied with graffiti over the weekend, disappointing many who hold the late NHL icon in high regard. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/CTVMorningWPG/status/1828388129868587096'> </a></blockquote></div> Photos of the vandalized statue quickly circulated on social media, showing graffiti on the puck and the lower part of the sculpture. Although the initial graffiti was quickly removed, further graffiti was discovered on Monday. By the afternoon, all traces of the vandalism had been cleared. Brad Harrison, a dedicated Jets fan, expressed his disappointment after seeing the defaced statue on Facebook. <q>It may seem like a joke to the vandal, but to others, it's a hurtful act, he remarked.</q> Harrison, who runs a Facebook group dedicated to the history of the original Winnipeg Jets, voiced concerns about the negative impact such incidents have on the city's reputation. The Winnipeg Police Service has not received any reports about the graffiti, according to Constable Claude Chancy. Meanwhile, True North Sports and Entertainment, the organization that owns the Jets and the statue, quickly addressed the issue. Spokesman Sean Kavanagh confirmed that a company was hired to remove the graffiti, and the statue was cleaned shortly after the vandalism was discovered. Eric Hawerchuk, one of Dale Hawerchuk's three children, chose not to comment on the incident, emphasizing that talking about such acts publicly may encourage further vandalism. Dale Hawerchuk, known as Ducky, remains a beloved figure in Winnipeg, remembered for his contributions to the team and the community. His statue, created by sculptor Erik Blome, stands as a tribute to his legacy with the team, as it stands outside the Jets' home at Canada Life Centre. The recent act of vandalism has only brought to light the deep respect and admiration that fans continue to hold for Hawerchuk, whose impact on the city endures long after his passing. Source: Blades of Steel <a href='https://www.bladeofsteel.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/statue-of-dale-hawerchuk-vandalized-outside-canada-life-centre' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Statue of Dale Hawerchuk vandalized outside Canada Life Centre</a>