1991–92 Vancouver Canucks season

1991–92 Vancouver Canucks
Smythe Division Champions
Division 1st Smythe
Conference 2nd Campbell
1991–92 record 42–26–12
Home record 23–10–7
Road record 19–16–5
Goals for 285
Goals against 250
Team information
General Manager Pat Quinn
Coach Pat Quinn
Captain Trevor Linden
Alternate captains Doug Lidster
Ryan Walter
Arena Pacific Coliseum
Average attendance 15,768
Team leaders
Goals Pavel Bure (34)
Assists Cliff Ronning (47)
Points Trevor Linden (75)
Penalties in minutes Gino Odjick (348)
Wins Kirk McLean (38)
Goals against average Kirk McLean (2.74)
<1990–91 1992–93>

The 1991–92 Vancouver Canucks season was the Canucks' 22nd NHL season.

Off-season

In the off-season, the Canucks fourth round draft pick in 1989 was finally validated and the Canucks now officially held the NHL rights to Pavel Bure. There was still a problem, though. His release from the Central Red Army still needed to be negotiated and there was no guarantee that he would play for the Canucks in the upcoming season. Director of Hockey Operations Brian Burke accepted the job as General Manager of the Hartford Whalers and took Milwaukee Admirals Head Coach, Rick Ley to coach his team. George McPhee filled the vacant front-office post and Jack McIlhargey became the new coach on the farm. Ron Wilson became an assistant coach, as did Stan Smyl, who tearfully resigned from active playing. "The Steamer" retired as the team's all-time leader in games (896), goals (262), assists (411), and points (673). Pat Quinn elected to retain all three titles (President, General Manager, and Head Coach) instead of hiring a new coach. Craig Coxe was chosen by the San Jose Sharks in the expansion draft, and Steve Bozek signed with the same club as a free agent. To fill the void, 13-year veteran and Burnaby-native C Ryan Walter was signed away from Montreal.

Forward Trevor Linden is named sole team captain. Defenceman Doug Lidster (who shared the captaincy last season with Linden) is returned to his previous role of an alternate captain. Newly signed forward Ryan Walter, is named the other alternate captain.

Regular season

The team season opened with a home-and-home series against the expansion San Jose Sharks and the Canucks swept. Pavel Bure, staying in California with his father and brother, watched the game at the Cow Palace from the press box. They managed to roll up a 7–1–1 record, the last being a 3–1 victory over the Washington Capitals on October 24 which leap-frogged the Canucks past Washington into first place in the NHL standings. On November 3, the Canucks paid tribute to their long-time captain and all-time leading scorer turned assistant coach (Smyl) with a special pre-game ceremony. He was presented with a Harley Davidson motorcycle, among other gifts, and had his number 12 raised to the rafters at Pacific Coliseum. In the game to follow, Igor Larionov broke out of a long drought by scoring his first three goals of the season in a 7–2 rout of Edmonton. The Pavel Bure debacle was being settled during that time and two nights later he made his NHL debut before a packed Coliseum against the Winnipeg Jets. The "Russian Rocket", as he became known, dazzled the crowd with three spectacular rushes but failed to score in a 3–3 tie. Three games later, Bure scored his first two NHL goals in an 8–2 romp of the Los Angeles Kings. Playing with Larionov and Greg Adams, Bure completed the "BIG Line", which became, arguably, the most dangerous offensive unit in Canucks history. Though all of the experts were predicting otherwise, the Canucks remained among the NHL's elite throughout the season, hitting a high point with an 11–0 shellacking of the Calgary Flames on March 1. Bure would roll to 34 goals, many of the highlight-reel variety, breaking Ivan Hlinka's club rookie record in only 65 games. His 60 points equaled Hlinka's total from 1981–82. Trevor Linden's 75 points led the team in scoring for the second straight year, Cliff Ronning was second with 71 points and Larionov finished third with 65. Kirk McLean rebounded to have a terrific season in goal, winning a club-record 38 games and recording a 2.74 goals-against average with five shutouts earning him team MVP honors. Gino Odjick broke Dave Williams' 11-year-old single-season penalty minutes record with 348 and, what's more, he did it in only 65 games. Overall, the team racked up club record totals of 42 wins and 96 points and won the Smythe Division by eight points over Los Angeles. The only threat to their division crown was a 10-day strike in early April that threatened to wipe out the playoffs. Finally, the streak of losing seasons had been halted at 16 years and, for the first time since 1982, the Canucks would open up a playoff series at home.

Playoffs

The Canucks would eventually win the first round against the Winnipeg Jets, in seven games, after trailing the series 3–1 for the first playoff series victory since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 1982. However, the Canucks would not get past the Edmonton Oilers and lost the series in six games.

Awards

If it was any consolation, the Canucks were pretty successful in post-season hardware. They didn't win the Stanley Cup, but Pavel Bure won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the year, Pat Quinn won the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year, and Ryan Walter won the Bud Light NHL Man of the Year for his work in the community. As well, Kirk McLean is runner-up for the Vezina Trophy (top goaltender) and is named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team.

Regular season

Smythe Division[1]
GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 Vancouver Canucks 80 42 26 12 285 250 96
2 Los Angeles Kings 80 35 31 14 287 250 84
3 Edmonton Oilers 80 36 34 10 295 297 82
4 Winnipeg Jets 80 33 32 15 251 244 81
5 Calgary Flames 80 31 37 12 296 305 74
6 San Jose Sharks 80 17 58 5 219 359 39
Campbell Conference[2]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 Detroit Red Wings NRS 80 43 25 12 320 256 98
2 Vancouver Canucks SMY 80 42 26 12 285 250 96
3 Chicago Blackhawks NRS 80 36 29 15 257 236 87
4 Los Angeles Kings SMY 80 35 31 14 287 296 84
5 St. Louis Blues NRS 80 36 33 11 279 266 83
6 Edmonton Oilers SMY 80 36 34 10 295 297 82
7 Winnipeg Jets SMY 80 33 32 15 251 244 81
8 Calgary Flames SMY 80 31 37 12 296 305 74
9 Minnesota North Stars NRS 80 32 42 6 246 278 70
10 Toronto Maple Leafs NRS 80 30 43 7 234 294 67
11 San Jose Sharks SMY 80 17 58 5 219 359 39

Divisions: NRS – Norris, SMY – Smythe
bold – Qualified for playoffs

Schedule and results

October

Monthly Record: 9–3–1 (Home 5–1–1; Road 4–2–0)

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
1 October 4 San Jose 3 – 4 Vancouver McLean 16,123 1–0–0 2
2 October 5 Vancouver 5 – 2 San Jose McLean 10,888 2–0–0 4
3 October 8 Vancouver 3 – 2 Winnipeg OT McLean 8,689 3–0–0 6
4 October 10 Vancouver 6 – 7 Chicago Gamble 17,322 3–1–0 6
5 October 12 Vancouver 2 – 1 Toronto McLean 15,759 4–1–0 8
6 October 13 Vancouver 3 – 1 Buffalo McLean 14,403 5–1–0 10
7 October 17 Boston 3 – 3 Vancouver OT McLean 15,986 5–1–1 11
8 October 19 Calgary 2 – 5 Vancouver McLean 15,226 6–1–1 13
9 October 21 Toronto 1 – 4 Vancouver McLean 13,108 7–1–1 15
10 October 24 Washington 1 – 3 Vancouver McLean 16,104 8–1–1 17
11 October 26 Vancouver 4 – 5 Edmonton McLean 16,446 8–2–1 17
12 October 27 Edmonton 6 – 3 Vancouver McLean 14,646 8–3–1 17
13 October 29 New Jersey 3 – 4 Vancouver McLean 12,196 9–3–1 19

November

Monthly Record: 7–4–2 (Home 6–2–1; Road 1–2–1)

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
14 November 1 St. Louis 3 – 2 Vancouver McLean 16,123 9–4–1 19
15 November 3 Edmonton 2 – 7 Vancouver McLean 15,651 10–4–1 21
16 November 5 Winnipeg 2 – 2 Vancouver OT McLean 16,123 10–4–2 22
17 November 7 Vancouver 4 – 3 Los Angeles McLean 16,005 11–4–2 24
18 November 10 NY Islanders 0 – 6 Vancouver McLean 16,123 12–4–2 26
19 November 12 Los Angeles 2 – 8 Vancouver McLean 16,123 13–4–2 28
20 November 14 Vancouver 2 – 2 Calgary OT McLean 19,688 13–4–3 29
21 November 16 San Jose 0 – 1 Vancouver McLean 15,950 14–4–3 31
22 November 19 NY Rangers 4 – 3 Vancouver McLean 16,077 14–5–3 31
23 November 21 Vancouver 2 – 3 Calgary McLean 20,055 14–6–3 31
24 November 22 Calgary 5 – 6 Vancouver OT McLean 16,123 15–6–3 33
25 November 26 Vancouver 1 – 4 San Jose Gamble 10,888 15–7–3 33
26 November 29 Chicago 2 – 5 Vancouver McLean 16,123 16–7–3 35

December

Monthly Record: 6–4–3 (Home 3–1–2; Road 3–3–1)

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
27 December 1 Vancouver 0 – 7 Edmonton McLean 15,502 16–8–3 35
28 December 3 Vancouver 0 – 3 Quebec McLean 13,033 16–9–3 35
29 December 4 Vancouver 3 – 0 Montreal McLean 16,573 17–9–3 37
30 December 7 Vancouver 3 – 6 Toronto Gamble 15,781 17–10–3 37
31 December 10 Edmonton 7 – 4 Vancouver McLean 14,974 17–11–3 37
32 December 12 Minnesota 5 – 7 Vancouver Gamble 14,803 18–11–3 39
33 December 14 Vancouver 4 – 4 Los Angeles OT McLean 16,005 18–11–4 40
34 December 17 Detroit 1 – 2 Vancouver McLean 15,609 19–11–4 42
35 December 19 Winnipeg 1 – 3 Vancouver McLean 16,123 20–11–4 44
36 December 22 Quebec 6 – 6 Vancouver OT McLean 16,123 20–11–5 45
37 December 27 Philadelphia 1 – 1 Vancouver OT McLean 16,123 20–11–6 46
38 December 28 Vancouver 3 – 2 San Jose McLean 10,888 21–11–6 48
39 December 31 Vancouver 5 – 3 Los Angeles McLean 16,005 22–11–6 50

January

Monthly Record: 7–3–1 (Home 2–2–0; Road 5–1–1)

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
40 January 3 Vancouver 3 – 3 Washington OT McLean 16,789 22–11–7 51
41 January 4 Vancouver 3 – 4 Minnesota Gamble 15,204 22–12–7 51
42 January 7 San Jose 1 – 4 Vancouver McLean 15,816 23–12–7 53
43 January 12 Pittsburgh 4 – 3 Vancouver McLean 16,123 23–13–7 53
44 January 14 Vancouver 4 – 2 Winnipeg McLean 14,737 24–13–7 55
45 January 15 Vancouver 5 – 3 Edmonton McLean 15,176 25–13–7 57
46 January 21 Vancouver 5 – 3 Quebec Gamble 13,634 26–13–7 59
47 January 23 Vancouver 3 – 1 Detroit McLean 19,816 27–13–7 61
48 January 25 Vancouver 1 – 0 St. Louis OT McLean 18,215 28–13–7 63
49 January 28 Edmonton 5 – 3 Vancouver McLean 16,123 28–14–7 63
50 January 30 Chicago 1 – 4 Vancouver McLean 16,123 29–14–7 65

February

Monthly Record: 5–6–2 (Home 3–2–1; Road 2–4–1)

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
51 February 1 Hartford 4 – 4 Vancouver OT McLean 16,123 29–14–8 66
52 February 4 Montreal 3 – 5 Vancouver McLean 16,123 30–14–8 68
53 February 6 NY Islanders 5 – 4 Vancouver OT Gamble 15,689 30–15–8 68
54 February 10 Vancouver 3 – 8 Montreal McLean 16,838 30–16–8 68
55 February 12 Vancouver 2 – 5 NY Rangers McLean 16,002 30–17–8 68
56 February 13 Vancouver 3 – 5 New Jersey Gamble 12,702 30–18–8 68
57 February 15 Vancouver 1 – 3 NY Islanders McLean 9,911 30–19–8 68
58 February 17 Vancouver 3 – 3 NY Rangers OT McLean 18,200 30–19–9 69
59 February 19 Buffalo 5 – 6 Vancouver McLean 16,123 31–19–9 71
60 February 21 Vancouver 5 – 3 San Jose McLean 10,888 32–19–9 73
61 February 23 Boston 1 – 2 Vancouver OT McLean 16,123 33–19–9 75
62 February 25 Los Angeles 4 – 3 Vancouver McLean 16,123 33–20–9 75
63 February 28 Winnipeg 3 – 5 Vancouver McLean 16,123 34–20–9 77

March

Monthly Record: 7–5–2 (Home 3–1–1; Road 4–4–1)

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record Pts
64 March 1 Calgary 0 – 11 Vancouver McLean 35–20–9 79
65 March 2 St. Louis 5 – 3 Vancouver McLean 35–21–9 79
66 March 5 Vancouver 2 – 2 Boston OT Gamble 35–21–10 80
67 March 7 Vancouver 5 – 1 Hartford Gamble 36–21–10 82
68 March 8 Vancouver 7 – 3 Philadelphia McLean 37–21–10 84
69 March 12 New Jersey 1 – 2 Vancouver McLean 38–21–10 86
70 March 14 Vancouver 6 – 4 Calgary McLean 39–21–10 88
71 March 18 Hartford 1 – 3 Vancouver Gamble 40–21–10 90
72 March 20 Winnipeg 2 – 2 Vancouver OT Gamble 40–21–11 91
73 March 22 Vancouver 1 – 5 Winnipeg Gamble 40–22–11 91
74 March 24 Vancouver 4 – 2 Minnesota McLean 41–22–11 93
75 March 26 Vancouver 3 – 7 Pittsburgh Gamble 41–23–11 93
76 March 28 Vancouver 1 – 3 Detroit McLean 41–24–11 93
77 March 29 Vancouver 4 – 7 Washington McLean 41–25–11 93

April

Monthly Record: 1–1–1 (Home 1–0–1; Road 1–0–0)

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
78 April 12 Los Angeles 6 – 1 Vancouver Gamble 16,123 41–26–11 93
79 April 14 Vancouver 3 – 2 Los Angeles McLean 16,005 42–26–11 95
80 April 16 Calgary 4 – 4 Vancouver OT Gamble 15,843 42–26–12 96

Playoffs

Smythe Division Semi-finals: vs. (4) Winnipeg Jets

Vancouver wins series 4–3

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series
1 April 18 Winnipeg 3 – 2 Vancouver McLean 0 – 1
2 April 20 Winnipeg 2 – 3 Vancouver McLean 1 – 1
3 April 22 Vancouver 2 – 4 Winnipeg McLean 1 – 2
4 April 24 Vancouver 1 – 3 Winnipeg McLean 1 – 3
5 April 26 Winnipeg 2 – 8 Vancouver McLean 2 – 3
6 April 28 Vancouver 8 – 3 Winnipeg McLean 3 – 3
7 April 30 Winnipeg 0 – 5 Vancouver McLean 4 – 3

Smythe Division Final: vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton wins series 4–2

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series
1 May 3 Edmonton 4 – 3 Vancouver OT McLean 0 – 1
2 May 4 Edmonton 0 – 4 Vancouver McLean 1 – 1
3 May 6 Vancouver 2 – 5 Edmonton McLean 1 – 2
4 May 8 Vancouver 2 – 3 Edmonton McLean 1 – 3
5 May 10 Edmonton 3 – 4 Vancouver McLean 2 – 3
6 May 12 Vancouver 0 – 3 Edmonton McLean 2 – 4

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Player GP G A Pts
Trevor Linden 80 31 44 75
Cliff Ronning 80 24 47 71
Igor Larionov 72 21 44 65
Pavel Bure 65 34 26 60
Greg Adams 76 30 27 57

Goaltending

Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average

Player GP TOI W L T GA SO Sv% GAA
Kirk McLean 65 3,852 38 17 9 176 5 .901 2.74
Troy Gamble 19 1,009 4 9 3 73 0 .859 4.34

Playoffs

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Player GP G A Pts PIM
Geoff Courtnall 12 6 8 14 20
Cliff Ronning 13 8 5 13 6
Greg Adams 12 7 6 13 6
Trevor Linden 13 4 8 12 6
Pavel Bure 13 6 4 10 14
Jim Sandlak 13 4 6 10 22

Goaltending

Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average

Player GP TOI W L GA SO Sv% GAA
Kirk McLean 13 785 6 7 33 2 .909 2.52

Awards and records

1992 Canuck Awards Winners

Kirk McLean

Pavel Bure

Geoff Courtnall

Trevor Linden

Cliff Ronning

Pat Quinn

Petr Nedved

Jyrki Lumme

Greg Adams

Igor Larionov

Dave Babych

Gerald Diduck

Gino Odjick

Others

Transactions

Trades

June 22, 1991 To Vancouver Canucks
Dave Babych		 To Minnesota North Stars
Tom Kurvers
August 1, 1991 To Vancouver Canucks
Robin Bawa		 To Washington Capitals
Cash
December 19, 1991 To Vancouver Canucks
Tom Fergus		 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Cash
March 9, 1992 To Vancouver Canucks
Ken Hammond 		To San Jose Sharks
8th round pick in 1992 (C.J. Denomme)

Free agents acquired

Player Former Team
C Ryan Walter Montreal Canadiens
D Randy Gregg Edmonton Oilers

Free agents lost

Player New Team
LW Steve Bozek San Jose Sharks
D Jack Capuano Boston Bruins

Expansion draft

Vancouver's losses at the 1991 NHL Dispersal and Expansion Drafts in Buffalo, New York.

Round # Player Nationality Drafted by Drafted from
1 19 Craig Coxe (C)  United States San Jose Sharks Vancouver Canucks

Draft picks

Vancouver's picks at the 1991 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, New York.

Round # Player Nationality NHL Team College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 7 Alek Stojanov (RW)  Canada Vancouver Canucks Hamilton Dukes (OHL)
2 29 Jassen Cullimore (D)  Canada Vancouver Canucks Peterborough Petes (OHL)
3 51 Sean Pronger (C)  Canada Vancouver Canucks Bowling Green State University (NCAA)
5 95 Dan Kesa (RW)  Canada Vancouver Canucks Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
6 117 Evgeny Namestnikov (D)  Soviet Union Vancouver Canucks Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (USSR)
7 139 Brent Thurston (LW)  Canada Vancouver Canucks Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
8 161 Eric Johnson (RW)  United States Vancouver Canucks St. Cloud State University (NCAA)
9 183 David Neilson (LW)  United States Vancouver Canucks Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
10 205 Brad Barton (RW)  Canada Vancouver Canucks Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
11 227 Jason Fitzsimmons (G)  Canada Vancouver Canucks Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
12 249 Xavier Majic (C)  Canada Vancouver Canucks Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NCAA)

Farm teams

Milwaukee Admirals

Vancouver Canucks IHL affiliate that play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and their home arena is the Bradley Center.

Columbus Chill

Vancouver Canucks ECHL affiliate that play in Columbus, Ohio and their home arena is the Ohio State Fairgrounds Coliseum.

External links

See also

References

  1. ↑ "1991-1992 Division Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  2. ↑ "1991-1992 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
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