1996–97 Vancouver Canucks season

1996–97 Vancouver Canucks
Division4th Pacific
Conference9th Western
1996–97 record35–40–7
Home record20–17–4
Road record15–23–3
Goals for257
Goals against273
Team information
General managerPat Quinn
CoachTom Renney
CaptainTrevor Linden
ArenaGeneral Motors Place
Average attendance17,320
Minor league affiliate(s)Syracuse Crunch
Team leaders
GoalsMartin Gelinas (35)
AssistsAlexander Mogilny (42)
PointsAlexander Mogilny (73)
Penalty minutesGino Odjick (371)
Plus/minusDavid Roberts (+11)
WinsKirk McLean (21)
Goals against averageKirk McLean (3.21)

The 1996–97 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 27th in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Canucks finished fourth in the division, and ninth in the conference, and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

Off-season

Regular season

Final standings

Pacific Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 1 Colorado Avalanche 82 49 24 9 277 205 107
2 4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 82 36 33 13 243 231 85
3 7 Edmonton Oilers 82 36 37 9 252 247 81
4 9 Vancouver Canucks 82 35 40 7 257 273 77
5 10 Calgary Flames 82 32 41 9 214 239 73
6 12 Los Angeles Kings 82 28 43 11 214 268 67
7 13 San Jose Sharks 82 27 47 8 211 278 62

Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Western Conference[1]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Colorado Avalanche PAC 82 49 24 9 277 205 107
2 Dallas Stars CEN 82 48 26 8 252 198 104
3 Detroit Red Wings CEN 82 38 26 18 253 197 94
4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 82 36 33 13 245 233 85
5 Phoenix Coyotes CEN 82 38 37 7 240 243 83
6 St. Louis Blues CEN 82 36 35 11 236 239 83
7 Edmonton Oilers PAC 82 36 37 9 252 247 81
8 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 82 34 35 13 223 210 81
9 Vancouver Canucks PAC 82 35 40 7 257 273 77
10 Calgary Flames PAC 82 32 41 9 214 239 73
11 Toronto Maple Leafs CEN 82 30 44 8 230 273 68
12 Los Angeles Kings PAC 82 28 43 11 214 268 67
13 San Jose Sharks PAC 82 27 47 8 211 278 62

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy


Schedule and results

1996–97 regular season[2]
October: 5–5–0 (home: 3–3–0; road: 2–2–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 W October 5, 1996 3–1 Calgary Flames (1996–97) 1–0–0 Recap
2 L October 6, 1996 0–2 @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 1–1–0 Recap
3 L October 9, 1996 1–2 Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) 1–2–0 Recap
4 W October 12, 1996 5–3 St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 2–2–0 Recap
5 L October 14, 1996 4–5 OT Boston Bruins (1996–97) 2–3–0 Recap
6 W October 17, 1996 6–1 @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) 3–3–0 Recap
7 L October 19, 1996 2–9 @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 3–4–0 Recap
8 L October 23, 1996 1–4 Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 3–5–0 Recap
9 W October 26, 1996 2–1 Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 4–5–0 Recap
10 W October 30, 1996 6–3 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 5–5–0 Recap
November: 8–5–0 (home: 4–1–0; road: 4–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
11 W November 1, 1996 5–4 OT @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 6–5–0 Recap
12 W November 2, 1996 4–3 Calgary Flames (1996–97) 7–5–0 Recap
13 L November 8, 1996 2–4 St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 7–6–0 Recap
14 W November 11, 1996 3–2 @ New York Rangers (1996–97) 8–6–0 Recap
15 L November 13, 1996 4–5 OT @ New York Islanders (1996–97) 8–7–0 Recap
16 W November 14, 1996 3–0 @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 9–7–0 Recap
17 L November 16, 1996 1–6 @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 9–8–0 Recap
18 W November 19, 1996 2–0 Dallas Stars (1996–97) 10–8–0 Recap
19 W November 21, 1996 2–1 OT Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 11–8–0 Recap
20 W November 23, 1996 5–3 New York Rangers (1996–97) 12–8–0 Recap
21 L November 26, 1996 2–3 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 12–9–0 Recap
22 W November 27, 1996 6–2 @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 13–9–0 Recap
23 L November 29, 1996 3–7 @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) 13–10–0 Recap
December: 3–9–1 (home: 1–5–0; road: 2–4–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
24 L December 1, 1996 3–4 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 13–11–0 Recap
25 T December 3, 1996 2–2 OT @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 13–11–1 Recap
26 W December 4, 1996 7–6 OT @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) 14–11–1 Recap
27 L December 7, 1996 2–3 Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 14–12–1 Recap
28 L December 11, 1996 1–6 Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 14–13–1 Recap
29 L December 13, 1996 1–2 @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) 14–14–1 Recap
30 W December 15, 1996 8–0 @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 15–14–1 Recap
31 L December 18, 1996 1–2 New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 15–15–1 Recap
32 W December 20, 1996 3–2 Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 16–15–1 Recap
33 L December 23, 1996 0–7 Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 16–16–1 Recap
34 L December 26, 1996 1–6 @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 16–17–1 Recap
35 L December 27, 1996 4–7 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 16–18–1 Recap
36 L December 31, 1996 3–5 Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 16–19–1 Recap
January: 8–4–1 (home: 6–1–1; road: 2–3–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
37 W January 2, 1997 4–3 Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 17–19–1 Recap
38 W January 4, 1997 7–3 Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 18–19–1 Recap
39 W January 6, 1997 5–1 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 19–19–1 Recap
40 L January 7, 1997 2–6 @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 19–20–1 Recap
41 W January 10, 1997 5–3 Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 20–20–1 Recap
42 L January 12, 1997 2–3 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 20–21–1 Recap
43 T January 14, 1997 4–4 OT Florida Panthers (1996–97) 20–21–2 Recap
44 W January 20, 1997 6–1 San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 21–21–2 Recap
45 W January 22, 1997 4–3 OT @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 22–21–2 Recap
46 L January 23, 1997 3–4 @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 22–22–2 Recap
47 L January 25, 1997 0–4 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 22–23–2 Recap
48 W January 27, 1997 5–2 San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 23–23–2 Recap
49 W January 30, 1997 2–1 OT New York Islanders (1996–97) 24–23–2 Recap
February: 4–9–0 (home: 2–3–0; road: 2–6–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
50 L February 1, 1997 0–3 @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) 24–24–2 Recap
51 L February 3, 1997 4–6 @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 24–25–2 Recap
52 L February 4, 1997 4–6 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 24–26–2 Recap
53 W February 6, 1997 7–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 25–26–2 Recap
54 L February 8, 1997 2–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 25–27–2 Recap
55 L February 11, 1997 2–5 Washington Capitals (1996–97) 25–28–2 Recap
56 W February 15, 1997 4–2 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 26–28–2 Recap
57 L February 18, 1997 5–6 Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 26–29–2 Recap
58 W February 20, 1997 6–1 @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 27–29–2 Recap
59 L February 22, 1997 0–4 @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 27–30–2 Recap
60 L February 23, 1997 2–5 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 27–31–2 Recap
61 L February 25, 1997 2–4 Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 27–32–2 Recap
62 W February 27, 1997 6–2 Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 28–32–2 Recap
March: 4–8–3 (home: 2–4–2; road: 2–4–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
63 L March 1, 1997 0–3 Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 28–33–2 Recap
64 L March 3, 1997 1–5 @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 28–34–2 Recap
65 T March 5, 1997 1–1 OT Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 28–34–3 Recap
66 L March 8, 1997 3–5 Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 28–35–3 Recap
67 T March 10, 1997 2–2 OT @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 28–35–4 Recap
68 L March 11, 1997 1–4 @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) 28–36–4 Recap
69 L March 13, 1997 4–5 @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) 28–37–4 Recap
70 W March 15, 1997 5–2 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) 29–37–4 Recap
71 L March 18, 1997 2–4 @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 29–38–4 Recap
72 L March 20, 1997 1–2 San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 29–39–4 Recap
73 W March 22, 1997 3–2 Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) 30–39–4 Recap
74 T March 24, 1997 2–2 OT Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 30–39–5 Recap
75 W March 26, 1997 5–3 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 31–39–5 Recap
76 W March 29, 1997 5–2 @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) 32–39–5 Recap
77 L March 30, 1997 2–3 Dallas Stars (1996–97) 32–40–5 Recap
April: 3–0–2 (home: 2–0–1; road: 1–0–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
78 T April 4, 1997 3–3 OT Calgary Flames (1996–97) 32–40–6 Recap
79 T April 5, 1997 2–2 OT @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 32–40–7 Recap
80 W April 7, 1997 3–2 @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 33–40–7 Recap
81 W April 9, 1997 6–4 Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 34–40–7 Recap
82 W April 12, 1997 5–4 Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 35–40–7 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Centre; D = Defence; G = Goaltender; LW = Left Wing; RW = Right Wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only.
No. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
89 Alexander Mogilny LW 76 31 42 73 9 18
23 Martin Gelinas LW 74 35 33 68 6 42
96 Pavel Bure RW 63 23 32 55 −14 40
17 Mike Ridley C 75 20 32 52 0 42
19 Markus Naslund LW 78 21 20 41 −15 30
16 Trevor Linden C 49 9 31 40 5 27
26 Mike Sillinger C 78 17 20 37 −3 25
21 Jyrki Lumme D 66 11 24 35 8 32
9 Russ Courtnall‡ RW 47 9 19 28 4 24
10 Esa Tikkanen‡ C 62 12 15 27 −9 66
7 David Roberts LW 58 10 17 27 11 51
44 Dave Babych D 78 5 22 27 −2 38
14 Lonny Bohonos RW 36 11 11 22 −3 10
6 Adrian Aucoin D 70 5 16 21 0 63
3 Bret Hedican D 67 4 15 19 −3 51
24 Scott Walker RW 64 3 15 18 2 132
32 Chris Joseph D 63 3 13 16 −21 62
8[a] Donald Brashear† LW 59 8 5 13 −6 207
29 Gino Odjick RW 70 5 8 13 −5 371
28 Brian Noonan† RW 16 4 8 12 2 6
27 Leif Rohlin D 40 2 8 10 4 8
4 Mark Wotton D 36 3 6 9 8 19
5 Dana Murzyn D 61 1 7 8 7 118
25 Steve Staios† D 9 0 6 6 2 20
13 Sergei Nemchinov† C 6 2 3 5 4 4
20 Alexander Semak C 18 2 1 3 −2 2
18 Troy Crowder RW 30 1 2 3 −6 52
22 Larry Courville LW 19 0 2 2 −4 11
1 Kirk McLean G 44 0 2 2 2
31 Corey Hirsch G 39 0 1 1 6
34 Jassen Cullimore‡ D 3 0 0 0 −2 2
30 Mike Fountain G 6 0 0 0 0
2 Frantisek Kucera‡ D 2 0 0 0 0 0
2 Evgeny Namestnikov D 2 0 0 0 −1 4

Goaltending

No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
1 Kirk McLean 44 21 18 3 1247 138 3.21 .889 0 2581
31 Corey Hirsch 39 12 20 4 1090 116 3.27 .894 2 2127
30 Mike Fountain 6 2 2 0 135 14 3.43 .896 1 245

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honour Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		King Clancy Memorial Trophy Trevor Linden [3]
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Pavel Bure [4]
Team Babe Pratt Trophy Jyrki Lumme [5]
Cyclone Taylor Trophy Martin Gelinas [5]
Cyrus H. McLean Trophy Alexander Mogilny [5]
Fred J. Hume Award Mike Sillinger [6]
Molson Cup Martin Gelinas [7]
Most Exciting Player Award Martin Gelinas [6]

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Mike Fountain November 14, 1996 [8]

Transactions

Draft picks

Vancouver's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.[9]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 12 Josh Holden  Canada Regina Pats (WHL)
3 75 Zenith Komarniski  Canada Tri-City Americans (WHL)
4 93 Jonas Soling  Sweden Huddinge IK (Sweden)
5 121 Tyler Prosofsky  Canada Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
6 147 Nolan McDonald  Canada University of Vermont (Hockey East)
7 175 Clint Cabana  Canada Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
8 201 Jeff Scissons  Canada Vernon Vipers (BCJHL)
9 227 Lubomir Vaic  Slovakia HC Kosice (Slovakia)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Brashear wore number 28 in his first game.

References

  • "Vancouver Canucks 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  • "1996-97 Vancouver Canucks Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  1. ^ "1996-1997 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  2. ^ "1996-97 Vancouver Canucks Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  3. ^ "King Clancy Memorial Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "1997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Vancouver Canucks 2016–17 Media Guide, p. 249
  6. ^ a b Vancouver Canucks 2016–17 Media Guide, p. 250
  7. ^ 2015–16 Vancouver Canucks Media Guide, p. 217
  8. ^ "1996-97 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  9. ^ "1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.