Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are an ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). They started to play in the NHL in 1970. They play in Vancouver, British Columbia at Rogers Arena.
| Vancouver Canucks | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Western |
| Division | Pacific |
| Founded | 1945 (PCHL) 1970 (as NHL expansion team) |
| History | Vancouver Canucks 1945–1952 (PCHL) Vancouver Canucks 1952–1970 (WHL) Vancouver Canucks 1970–present (NHL) |
| Home arena | Rogers Arena |
| City | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Colours | Blue, green, white[1][2] |
| Media | Sportsnet Pacific Sportsnet One Sportsnet 650 |
| Owner(s) | Canucks Sports & Entertainment (Francesco Aquilini, Chairman) |
| General manager | Patrik Allvin |
| Head coach | Bruce Boudreau |
| Captain | Bo Horvat |
| Minor league affiliates | Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) |
| Stanley Cups | 0 |
| Conference championships | 3 (1981–82, 1993–94, 2010–11) |
| Presidents' Trophies | 2 (2010–11, 2011–12) |
| Division championships | 10 (1974–75, 1991–92, 1992–93, 2003–04, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13) |
| Official website | nhl |
History
Early games
The Canucks were first a team in the Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL), winning the championship in 1946 and 1948. In 1952 the PCHL changed its name to the Western Hockey League (WHL). The Canucks stayed in the WHL.
Beginning
The Canucks joined the NHL in 1970. They were not a good team at first, though they won their division in 1975. Andre Boudrias was a star for the team at this time. The team made the Stanley Cup finals in 1982, which surprised many people, since they had finished below average in the regular season. Goaltender Richard Brodeur, along with forwards Stan Smyl, Thomas Gradin, and Darcy Rota, led the team. Coach Roger Neilson and some players raised white towels on top of their hockey sticks to "surrender" to the referees, who they thought were unfair (a white flag means surrender or "I give up"). After that, the fans all waved white flags during Canucks playoff games (this is called "Towel Power"). The team lost four games to zero in the finals to the New York Islanders.
Comeback
In the late 1980s, players such as Toni Tanti and Petri Skriko led the team. They made the finals again in 1994, due to players such as goaltender Kirk MacLean, the "Russian Rocket" Pavel Bure (who scored the most goals in the NHL that year), Trevor Linden, and Cliff Ronning. However, they lost the series four games to three to the New York Rangers.
1990-present
The Canucks did poorly in the late 1990s, but improved in the 2000s. Markus Naslund came second in scoring in 2002 and 2003, and was named the Pearson Trophy winner as players' choice for the best player in 2003. Todd Bertuzzi, Matthias Ohlund, and Ed Jovanovski were also important players who helped lead the team to the division title in 2004. However, they lost in overtime of deciding game seven to the Calgary Flames in the first round of the playoffs (just as they had done in 1989), and the Flames went to the finals (just like 1989).
The Canucks just missed the playoffs in 2006. Two of the young stars, identical twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin, along with players such as Anson Carter, were important to the team that year.
In 2011 the Canucks won the President's Trophy as they were the best team in the NHL regular season. They also made the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, but lost to the Boston Bruins. The Bruins won the Stanley Cup. The Canucks won the President's Trophy again in 2012, but lost to the La Kings in the first round in five games.
On April 8, 2014, the Canucks fired General Manager Mike Gillis.[3] Not too long afterward, they announced that they had hired Trevor Linden as their new General Manager.[4]
Vancouver Canucks Media
Eagle sculpture featuring Stan Smyl, who was captain for eight seasons
A statue of coach Roger Neilson outside of Rogers Arena, commemorating the 1982 Stanley Cup run
Pavel Bure, became the first Canuck to win the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1992 and is the only sixty-goal scorer in team history. He is regarded as the team's first superstar.
Kirk McLean was a key member of the Canucks' 1994 Stanley Cup run.
The Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers warm up before a match at General Motors Place in October 1997.
Marc Crawford became the Canucks' head coach in 1998–99. Crawford also played for the team in the 1980s.
Scoreboard after game one of the 2007 Western Conference Quarterfinals between the Canucks and the Dallas Stars. Ending at the 138-minute mark, it was the longest game in the club's history.
Roberto Luongo during the 2008–09 season, with a C visible on his goalie mask denoting his captaincy. He was named captain of the Canucks in September 2008.
Ryan Kesler with the Canucks during the 2010 Western Conference Quarterfinals. Kesler spent the first 10 seasons of his NHL career with the team.
Henrik Sedin accepts the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl on behalf of the Canucks as the 2011 Western Conference champions.
References
- ↑ Gibson, John (October 26, 2007). New Look Canucks. NHL Enterprises, L.P.. https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/new-look-canucks/c-452295. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ↑ "Company Directory" (PDF). 2016–17 Vancouver Canucks Media Guide. NHL Enterprises, L.P. October 5, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ↑ "Canucks fire general manager Mike Gillis". NHL. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
- ↑ "Canucks name Linden president of hockey operations". NHL. Retrieved 2014-04-17.