New Canucks Goalie Braden Holtby 'Shell Shocked' at Canada/US Border

Goaltender Braden Holtby's journey to his new home in Vancouver is moving at a snail's pace, Or in this case, a turtle's. Although the Holtby family thought they had all their i’s dotted, they’re having some issues getting their t’s crossed... Literally. They can’t get their two pet tortoises across the border!

Braden’s wife, Brandi Holtby reached out to twitter for help with the ordeal:

Hey Twitter, does anyone have any sweet connections with Federal Fish and Wildlife that could push some export papers along in order to get two happy tortoises across the border? 🇨🇦🐢🐢🇺🇸 We miss our boys!
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) November 18, 2020

Apparently, they had the required import permit needed to get ‘Honey’ and ‘Maple’ into Canada, but did not know they needed forms to legally ‘export’ the tortoises from the US. If the “Border Patrol” cameras were rolling, this would make for the best episode yet!

I will let you know when they are safely in Canada sipping a Double-Double and sharing Timbits. 😂
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) November 19, 2020

Braden and his Tortoises (coincidentally a great name for a children’s book) are now stuck at the border as they wait for permission to leave the US.

The Canadian border patrol when Braden Holtby tries to cross over pic.twitter.com/jvAHe45mNE
— Caylee (@2kaRask) November 19, 2020

Rumour has it; the tortoises made a break for it, taking off at full-speed trying to cross into Canada. However, an officer caught them after leisurely strolling over in pursuit...

Big brother, Honey, is taking over the family business. 🥅 pic.twitter.com/T3AVs0EbJ7
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) March 30, 2020

UPDATE: The tortoises have made entry into Canada! (Along with Stanley Cup winning goaltender, Braden Holtby).

Welcome to Canada, Honey and Maple! 🇨🇦 Huge shout out to @USFWS for working so hard for us! Thank you for everyone’s concern.. NOW you may laugh at the image of Braden being stuck at the border with a tortoise under each arm. 🐢👨🏽‍🌾🐢
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) November 20, 2020

Welcome to Vancouver to the (entire) Holtby family!!