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Q & A

Got a question about the Canucks and can't find the answer anywhere on the web? Why not ask the Canuck librarian. He might know the answer. Just fill out the form below and press the "Submit" button. Not all questions and answers will be added to this page, so please enter an e-mail address to ensure you receive a response.

Questions already answered

Questions that have me stumped

If you have an answer to any of these questions, .

• Colin from Dublin, Ireland would like to know whether or not the uppermost seats in the Pacific Coliseum were physically green. Is it even possible to hope for some kind of photo (showing the contrast between the blues and the greens?
• Al from Toronto is looking for any history on a "Stephen Clarke" who may have played in the Canuck farm system.

Last Helmetless Canuck

Question: Paul asks: Who was the last Vancouver Canuck to not have to wear a helmet?

Answer: If my memory is correct (and it can be suspect at times), the answer to your
question is Harold Snepsts.  I know he wasn't wearing it when he played for
the Canucks during the 1989-90 season and I am pretty sure that no one was
helmetless later than that.

Mike Fountain's First Game

Question: Brian from Vancouver asks: Did Mike Fountain hit the goal post in his first game with the Canucks?

Answer: The game you are thinking of was Mike Fountain's NHL debut on November 14, 1996 where he posted a 3-0 shutout over the New Jersey Devils.  Late in the third period, with the Canucks leading 2-0, New Jersey pulled their goalie.  Fountain did take a shot at the empty net, but missed.  According to the news reports of the day:  

After four seasons in the minor leagues and five callups by the Vancouver Canucks, Mike Fountain finally got a chance to show his stuff in the NHL. He made the most of it. Not only did Fountain stop 40 shots and end the New Jersey Devils' five-game winning streak in his NHL debut, the goalie just missed scoring an empty-net goal as the Canucks posted a 3-0 victory Thursday. The empty net goal would have been the icing on the cake, but it barely slid past the net. "That would have been quite a feat if he had done that," said Devils rookie goalie Mike Dunham. "I would have retired if I did that."

Starting Line-up in Game Seven of the 1994 Finals

Question: Don from Vancouver asks: What was the starting line-up for the Canucks in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Answer: A quick check of the game tape showed that the Canucks started their checking line that night. John McIntyre took the opening faceoff with Shawn Antoski on his left side and Tim Hunter on the right. Jeff Brown and Bret Hedican started on defense and Kirk McLean started in net as he did every other game that Spring.

First Russian to Score

Question: Bryce asks: Who was the first Russian born Canuck player to score a goal? Larionov or Krutov?

Answer: Krutov scored his first goal in the Canucks' second game of the season on October 7, 1989 against Detroit.  While Larionov certainly had (and continues to have) a better NHL career than Krutov, it took until October 11, 1989 (the Canucks' fourth game of the season) for Larionov to score his first as a Canuck.

Orland Kurtenbach's Number

Question: Ed from Coquitlam asks: What was Orland Kurtenbach's number when he played in the NHL with the Canucks?

Answer: Orland Kurtenbach wore number 25.

5,000th Canuck Goal

Question: My buddy and I can't decide which of these Canucks scored the 5,000th goal in the teams history and when they did it. Was it, Stan Smyl or Brian Bradley and was it during the 1987/88 season or 1988/89 season. If were both totally off base that's O.K. too...just set us straight. Thanx!

Answer: The 5000th goal in Canuck history was scored during the 1989-90 season.  It came on November 14 in a game against the Washington Capitals.  In the first period, Brian Bradley got the goal with assists from Tony Tanti and Stan Smyl at 17:12.  The Washington goalie was Bob Mason.

By my recollection (this is unofficial now), Bradley got credit for the goal because it bounced in off his head (helmet).  Now that's one way to get in the record books.  ;-)

Paulin Bordeleau

Question: When did Paulin Bordeleau play for the Canucks?

Answer: Paulin Bordeleau was selected by the Canucks in the 2nd round of the 1973 Amateur Draft. He recorded 24 points in 68 games as a rookie in 1973-74. After a solid season in 1974-75, he split the 1975-76 season between Vancouver and the farm team. He left the Canucks and joined the WHA Quebec Nordiques for the 1976-77 season. During the 1980's, he played in France and played for the French team at the 1988 Olympics.

Canuck Mascot

Answer: I am confused too.  A few years ago the Canucks decided to update their logo to something feared and that represented the Pacific Northwest (west coast of Canada).  They chose a killer whale (also known as an orca).  There is *no* relation between killer whales and Canucks as far as anyone knows. This is similar to the fact that the Capitals wear a jersey with an eagle on it and the Senators are represented by a Centurion.

The current logo is an Orca jumping out of the water (I think the term is "breeching").  It is in the shape of a "C" which is supposed to represent "Canucks".  The mascot is a fuzzy Orca.  Like other whales, Orcas breathe out of a hole in the top of their head.  The mascot has steam coming out of the top of its head.  It's supposed to be cute and cuddly for the kids, but has a fierce, toothy grin as well. I know, it doesn't make much sense.

And, yes, some Canadians do fish.

First Goal at GM Place

Question: Dara from GM Place writes: Who scored the first Canuck goal at home in the "new" GM Place (Oct 9, 95)?

Answer: The Canucks played their first regular season game at GM Place against Detroit.  The Canucks fell behind 3-0 early in the second period, before Mike Ridley made history by scoring the first Canuck goal at GM Place.  It came on the powerplay at 5:48 of the second period and was assisted by Jeff Brown and Pavel Bure. The Canucks came back to tie the game at three in the second period, but two more Wing goals sent the crowd home disappointed.

Canucks in the 1940's

Question: Robin from Washington, DC asks: Maybe you can help me find information on the following players: Les Vickery, Ivan Wilson, Doug Jackson, George Hunchuck (sp?), Bill Shill, Hall Hussley, Bill Wilson, Bill Crowley, Reg A Walter (sp?). I believe they were all members of a team in the 1940's.  I have a Canadian Dollar bill signed by these individuals and would like to track down it's significance and possible value. 

Answer: It looks like you have members of the 1948-49 Vancouver Canucks. Les Vickery, Ivan Wilson, Doug Jackson (goalie), George Hunchuk, Bill Shill, Harold Hursley (probably the player you listed as Hall Hussley), and Bill Wilson all played for the team that season.  The 1948-49 season was the only season that Vickery, Jackson, Hursley and Wilson spent with the Canucks.

Is it possible Bill Crowley is Bill Carse (another member of the team)?  As for Reg Walter, my best guess would be Paul Waldner.  It is also possible that Crowley and Walter are other people who were associated with the team (coach, trainer, dressing room security guard, etc.) and I only have information on the players.

As for the value of your collectible, I really cannot say.  Bill Shill and Bill Carse made it to the NHL, so there may be people looking for their signatures.  The 1948-49 season was the first year that the PCHL was a pro hockey league (although not the first year of the Vancouver Canucks).   You might want to contact the folks at Beckett and see if they have an opinion on your item.

Dave Balon

Question: MJ from Boston MA asks: "Whatever happened to Dave Balon? I'm especially curious about his last year in Vancouver. Only 3 goals? Was he sick or injured?"

Answer: Dave Balon's production obviously fell (off the map) from 47 points in 71-72 to 5 points in 1972-73. He was injured early in the 72-73 season, but still saw action in 57 games. More importantly, I suspect he became a victim of the numbers game.  He was 35 before the season started and the Canucks brought in some young players which undoubtedly limited his contribution to the team.

The Canucks drafted left winger Don Tannahill in 1972 and he recorded 43 points as a rookie in 72-73.  The Canucks also picked up Gerry O'Flaherty -- another young winger who chipped in with 30 points. In September 1973, Balon was waived through the NHL, so he could join the Quebec Nordiques of the WHA.  He played for them briefly in 73-74.

Seating Capacity

Question: Nigel from Victoria BC asks "What was the seating capacity of Pacific Coliseum? GM Place?"

Answer: The first thing you need to know is that attendance at the Coliseum included standing room while there is no "official" standing room at GM Place (even though you could watch the game while standing on the concourse). Based on the sellout crowd size, the maximum capacity of the Pacific Coliseum was:

1970-71: 15,569
1971-72 to 1974-75: 15,570 (I'm not sure where they put the extra seat during the summer of 1971.)
1975-76: 15,612
1976-77: 15,570
1977-78 to 1982-83: 16,413
1983-84 to 1988-89: 16,553
1989-90 to 1991-92: 16,123
1992-93 to 1994-95: 16,150

At GM Place, the official sellout size is 18,422 although they have had some larger announced crowds. During the third game at GM Place, the attendance was announced at 19,056. Since November 1995, sellouts are listed as having 18,422 tickets sold.