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70-71VAnCan
1970–71 Vancouver Canucks
Division 6th East
1970–71 record 24-46-8
Home record 17-18-4
Road record 7-28-4
Goals for 229
Goals against 296
Team information
General manager Bud Poile
Coach Hal Laycoe
Captain Orland Kurtenbach
Alternate captains Ray Cullen
Garth Rizzuto
Arena Pacific Coliseum
Average attendance 15,577
Team leaders
Goals Rosaire Paiement (34)
Assists Dale Tallon (42)
Points Andre Boudrias (66)
Penalty minutes Pat Quinn (149)
Wins Charlie Hodge (15)
Goals against average George Gardner (3.38)

The 1970–71 Vancouver Canucks season was the franchise's 1st in the NHL. The Canucks finished 6th in the East Division and did not qualify for the playoffs.

Off-season[]

The Canucks joined the league on May 22, 1970, along with the Buffalo Sabres. After not being awarded an expansion team in 1967 when the league added six teams, Vancouver finally joined the NHL in 1970 for a price of $6 million (compared to $2 million in 1967[1]). The Vancouver Canucks of the Western Hockey League were promoted to the NHL, though the ownership group of the WHL Canucks, not willing to pay the $6 million to join the NHL, sold the team to Medicor, a group controlled by Thomas Scallen.[2]

The Canucks logo was a stylized C designed as a hockey stick inside a rink incorporating the colours of blue, green and white to represent the water, forests and snow surrounding Vancouver.[3] It was designed by a local creative designer, Joe Borovich, and bought for $500.[4]

During the Amateur draft, held on June 11 in Montreal, there was debate over what expansion team would draft first. In order to reach a compromise, a numbered spinning wheel was brought in to determine the draft: the Sabres were odd numbers, the Canucks even. When the wheel landed on 11, the Canucks and NHL President Clarence Campbell thought it was II (two) in Roman numerals. However it turned out to be 11 (eleven) in Arabic numerals, leading the Sabres to select first overall future superstar Gilbert Perreault.[2]

Regular Season[]

1970-Oct9-Canucks opener

Canucks first game, October 9, 1970.

On October 9, 1970, the Canucks played their first game in the NHL, a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. There was a grand opening ceremony attended by British Columbia Premier W. A. C. Bennett, Mayor of Vancouver Tom Campbell (who was booed by fans), Chief Dan George[3] and former Vancouver Millionaires player Cyclone Taylor, who received a standing ovation upon being introduced.[2] The Stanley Cup was on display during the ceremonies. Barry Wilkins scored the first goal for the Canucks in the third period.[2]

1970-Oct9-Boudrias-Wilkins-Tallon

Andre Boudrias, Barry Wilkins and Dale Tallon celebrate the first goal in Canucks history, October 9, 1970.

Throughout the first three months of the season, the Canucks managed to stay within contention of a playoff spot, despite playing in the much stronger NHL East Division, composed of five of the Original Six teams (Chicago was transferred to the West Division at the start of the season). Orland Kurtenbach was leading the team in scoring and scored the first Hat trick in team history on December 12, 1970 as the Canucks beat the California Golden Seals 5-2. However, Kurtenbach injured his knee in late December and the team's performance declined. The Canucks had six 20 goal scorers in their inaugural season and Tallon would break Bobby Orr's rookie record for defenceman assists.[3] However, they would finish one point out of last in the East Division.[2]

Final Standings[]

East Division
Team GP W L T GF GA Pts
Boston Bruins 78 57 14 7 399 207 121
New York Rangers 78 49 18 11 259 177 109
Montreal Canadiens 78 42 23 13 291 216 97
Toronto Maple Leafs 78 37 33 8 248 211 82
Buffalo Sabres 78 24 39 15 217 291 63
Vancouver Canucks 78 24 16 8 229 296 56
Detroit Red Wings 78 22 45 11 209 308 55

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Game Log[]

1970-71 Game Log

Playoffs[]

  • The Canucks did not qualify for the post season.

Player Stats[]

Skaters[]

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Player # GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
Andre Boudrias 7 77 25 41 66 16 -- -- -- -- --
Wayne Maki 11 78 25 38 63 99 -- -- -- -- --
Rosaire Paiement 15 78 34 28 62 152 -- -- -- -- --
Murray Hall 23 77 21 38 59 22 -- -- -- -- --
Dale Tallon 19 78 14 42 56 58 -- -- -- -- --
Orland Kurtenbach 25 52 21 32 53 84 -- -- -- -- --
Mike Corrigan 12 76 21 32 53 103 -- -- -- -- --
Ray Cullen 10 70 12 21 33 42 -- -- -- -- --
Poul Popiel 18 78 10 22 32 61 -- -- -- -- --
Ted Taylor 16 56 11 16 27 53 -- -- -- -- --
Dan Johnson 8 66 15 11 26 16 -- -- -- -- --
Barry Wilkins 4 50 5 18 23 131 -- -- -- -- --
Pat Quinn 3 76 2 11 13 149 -- -- -- -- --
Gary Doak 2 77 2 10 12 112 -- -- -- -- --
Bobby Schmautz 9 26 5 5 10 14 -- -- -- -- --
Garth Rizzuto 22 37 3 4 7 16 -- -- -- -- --
Danny Seguin 17 25 0 5 5 46 -- -- -- -- --
John Schella 5 38 0 5 5 58 -- -- -- -- --
Len Lunde - 20 1 3 4 2 -- -- -- -- --
Ed Hatoum - 26 1 3 4 21 -- -- -- -- --
Jim Wiste - 23 1 2 3 0 -- -- -- -- --
Howie Young - 11 0 2 2 25 -- -- -- -- --
Marc Reaume - 27 0 2 2 4 -- -- -- -- --
Darryl Sly - 31 0 2 2 10 -- -- -- -- --
Ralph Stewart - 3 0 1 1 0 -- -- -- -- --
Jim Hargreaves - 7 0 1 1 33 -- -- -- -- --
Ken Block - 1 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- --
Bob Cook - 2 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- --
John Arbour* - 13 0 0 0 12 -- -- -- -- --
George Gardner 30 18 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- --
Charlie Hodge 1 0 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- --
Dunc Wilson 30 35 0 0 0 18 -- -- -- -- --

Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Vancouver. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only.

*Denotes player traded by Vancouver midway through the season. Stats reflect time with Canucks only.

Goaltenders[]

Note: GP = Games Played; Min = Minutes; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Average

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Player # GP Min W L T GA SO GAA GP Min W L GA SO GAA
George Gardner 30 18 922 6 8 1 52 0 3.38 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Charlie Hodge 1 35 1967 15 13 5 112 0 3.41 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Dunc Wilson 30 35 1793 3 25 2 128 0 4.28 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Awards and Records[]

Team Trophies and Awards[]

Records Achieved in the Season[]

Note: Only records that stand as of 2007–08 are listed

Canucks Team Records[]

  • Fewest ties in one season: (8) - repeated in 1971-72, 1986-87, 1988-89
  • Fewest shutouts in one season: (0) - repeated in 1984-85, 2005-06
  • Fewest shutouts against in one season: (0) - repeated in 1984-85
  • Longest home winless streak: 11 games, December 18, 1970 - February 6, 1971 (0-10-1)
  • Most goals in one game: 11, March 25, 1971 (Calgary 5 at Vancouver 11) - repeated in 1986-87, 1991-92
  • Most shots against Vancouver goal, one game: 60, February 25, 1971 versus Boston Bruins
  • Most shots against Vancouver goal, one period: 28, February 25, 1971 versus Boston Bruins (3rd period)
  • Most shots both teams, one period: 43, February 25, 1971 versus Boston Bruins (3rd period)
  • Fastest three goals against Vancouver: :20, February 25, 1971 versus Boston Bruins (3rd period: John Bucyk, 4:50; Ed Westfall, 5:02; Ted Green, 5:10)

Canucks Individual Records[]

Transactions[]

The Canucks were involved in the following transactions during the 1970-71 season.[5]

Trades[]

June 10, 1970 To Vancouver Canucks
John Arbour
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Cash
December 3, 1970 To Vancouver Canucks
Cash
To St. Louis Blues
John Arbour
May 25, 1971 To Vancouver Canucks
Greg Boddy
To Montreal Canadiens
Cash
3rd round pick (Jim Cahoon) in 1971 NHL Amateur Draft

Draft Picks[]

Expansion Draft[]

Vancouver's picks at the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft. In order to fill out the rosters of both the Canucks and Buffalo Sabres, they were given the opportunity to select eighteen skaters and two goaltenders from the unprotected lists of existing NHL team's rosters.[3] Teams were allowed to protect several players from being drafted, and as such kept many of their star players, leaving the Canucks and Sabres with lesser quality players to choose from. The draft was held on June 9, 1970, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Using a spinning wheel to determine the order of the expansion draft, Buffalo had the first choice.[3]

# Player Drafted from
1. Gary Doak (D) Boston Bruins
2. Orland Kurtenbach (C) New York Rangers
3. Ray Cullen (C) Minnesota North Stars
4. Pat Quinn (D) Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Rosaire Paiement (C) Philadelphia Flyers
6. Wayne Maki (LW) St. Louis Blues
7. Barry Wilkins (D) Boston Bruins
8. Andre Boudrias (C) St. Louis Blues
9. Mike Corrigan (LW) Los Angeles Kings
10. Poul Popiel (D) Detroit Red Wings
11. Dan Johnson (C) Toronto Maple Leafs
12. Garth Rizzuto (C) Chicago Black Hawks
13. Ed Hatoum (RW) Detroit Red Wings
14. Jim Wiste (C) Chicago Black Hawks
15. Howie Young (D) Chicago Black Hawks
16. Darryl Sly (D) Minnesota North Stars
17. Ralph Stewart (C) St. Louis Blues
18. John Arbour (D) Pittsburgh Penguins
19. Charlie Hodge G Oakland Seals
20. Dunc Wilson (G) Philadelphia Flyers

Amateur Draft[]

Vancouver's picks at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft.[6] The draft was held on June 11, 1970, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Round # Player Nationality College/junior/club team (league)
1 2 Dale Tallon (D) Flag of Canada Canada Toronto Marlboros (OHA)
2 16 Jim Hargreaves (D) Flag of Canada Canada Winnipeg Jets (WCHL)
3 30 Ed Dyck (G) Flag of Canada Canada Calgary Centennials (WCHL)
4 44 Brent Taylor (RW) Flag of Canada Canada Estevan Bruins (WCHL)
5 58 Bill McFadden Flag of Canada Canada Swift Current Broncos (WCHL)
6 72 Dave Gilmour (LW) Flag of Canada Canada London Knights (OHA)

Trivia[]

Gallery[]

Video[]

Clip of the first goal in Canucks history scored by Barry Wilkins on October 9, 1970.

Leafs-Rangers game from October 17, 1970.

Video of the Canucks 3-2 over the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 7, 1970.

The Bruins set the record for the fastest three goals, scored in 20 seconds versus the Vancouver Canucks, February 25, 1971.

Film of the Sabres inaugural season including the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft and 1970 NHL Amateur Draft and many interviews. Footage of the Sabres first exhibition game (against the Rangers), a game versus Montreal, Toronto on November 18, 1970 (featuring Leafs goalie Murray McLachlan in one of his two NHL games), Detroit on February 20, 1971, Boston on February 23, Chicago on March 5, St. Louis on March 18 (Gilbert Perreault breaks the record for most goals by a rookie), Vancouver on March 26, 1971.

References[]

  • Player stats: 2006–07 Vancouver Canucks Media Guide - 1970–71 stats, p. 150.
  • Game log: 2006–07 Vancouver Canucks Media Guide - 1970–71 stats, p. 150.
  • Team standings: 2007–08 NHL Official Guide & Record Book, p. 150.
  • Team records: 2006–07 Vancouver Canucks Media Guide - Canucks all time team & individual records, pp. 225–237
  1. MacKinnon, John (1996). NHL Hockey: The Official Fans' Guide. Vancouver: Raincoast Book Distribution Ltd., 128. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Rud, Jeff (2006). Canucks Legends: Vancouver's Hockey Heroes. Vancouver: Raincoast Books, 256. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Beddall, Justin (2004). Vancouver Canucks: Heart-Stopping Stories from Canada's Most Exciting Hockey Team. Canmore, Alberta: Altitude Publishing Canada Ltd., 137. 
  4. Vancouver Canucks (2007). Canucks History. Canucks.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  5. Vancouver Canucks (2006). 2006-07 Vancouver Canucks Media Guide. Vancouver: Hemlock Printers Ltd., 264. 
  6. Slate, Ralph (2007). 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. HockeyDB.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-01.


See Also[]

This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at 1970–71 Vancouver Canucks season. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Ice Hockey Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA).


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