The Vancouver Canucks Ring of Honour is a collection of permanent in-arena displays, used as a means to celebrate and acknowledge players who made a lasting impact on the franchise.[1] Along with the permanent display each inductee is given a night of recognition, during the unveiling of their display, that includes a video tribute and an on-ice presentation.[2] Established as part of the Canucks' 40th season celebration in the National Hockey League (NHL) in 2010–11, four members were inducted in the first year.[3] Members are selected by an advisory committee that includes former players, broadcasters, and staff members.[4]
The first member inducted to the Ring of Honour was Orland Kurtenbach. Kurtenbach began his professional career with the Western Hockey League version of the Canucks before reaching the NHL ranks. When the Canucks became an NHL expansion team in 1970, they used their second pick in the expansion draft to take Kurtenbach. Recognized for his leadership Kurtenbach was named the Canucks' first captain, a position he held until retiring in 1974.[3]
The initiative has been well received by both players and fans. Honoured players have garnered loud ovations, while third inductee, Thomas Gradin, called it an honour that he was very proud of.[5][6]
Members
edit
| Number[7] | Name | Position | Years With Club | Date of Induction | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Orland Kurtenbach | Centre Head coach |
1970–1974 (player) 1976–1978 (coach) |
October 26, 2010 | First captain in franchise history. Later coached team. | [1] |
| 1 | Kirk McLean | Goaltender | 1987–1998 | November 24, 2010 | Franchise leader in several goaltending statistics.a | [8] |
| 23 | Thomas Gradin | Centre Scout |
1978–1986 (player) 1994–present (scout) |
January 24, 2011 | Former highest-scoring centre in franchise history.b | [9] |
| 27 | Harold Snepsts | Defenceman | 1974–1984 1987–1990 |
March 14, 2011 | Former franchise leader in games played and penalty minutes.c | [10] |
| 3 | Pat Quinn | Defenceman Head coach General manager President |
1970–1972 (player) 1987–1997 (management) |
April 13, 2014 | Won the Jack Adams Award in 1991–92. Head coach and general manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finalist team. |
[11][12] |
| 2 | Mattias Ohlund | Defenceman | 1997–2009 | December 16, 2016 | Former highest-scoring defenceman in franchise history. | [13] |
| 14 | Alex Burrows | Left wing | 2006–2017 | December 3, 2019 | Scored numerous game-winning goals, Sedin twins linemate, dubbed 'Dragonslayer" | [14] |
| 1 | Roberto Luongo | Goaltender | 2006–2014 | December 14, 2023 | All time franchise leader in wins (252), save percentage (0.919), and goals-against average (2.36). | [15] |
Notes
edit- ^ a: McLean was the Canucks' all-time leader in games played, wins, and shutouts in the regular season and post season at the time of his retirement.[8] Roberto Luongo has since surpassed McLean in wins and shutouts for regular season play.[16]
- ^ b: Gradin finished his Canucks career with 550 points, he has since been surpassed by several players.[17]
- ^ c: Snepsts finished his Canucks career with 781 games played and 1,446 penalty minutes, he has since been surpassed by multiple players in each category.[18][19]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Jory, Derek (October 25, 2010). "The first". Vancouver Canucks. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ "Ring of Honour". Vancouver Canucks. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ a b "Orland Kurtenbach inducted into Canucks Ring of Honour". Vancouver Canucks. October 27, 2010. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ Walker, Ian (February 16, 2011). "Harold Snepsts to join Canucks' Ring of Honour". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ McIntyre, Gordon (January 24, 2011). "Graceful Swede Gradin joins ring of honour" (PDF). The Province. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ Chapman, Paul; Wake, Bev, eds. (2011), A Thrilling Ride: The Vancouver Canucks' Fortieth Anniversary Season, Vancouver, British Columbia: Greystone Books, p. 22, ISBN 978-1-926812-91-5
- ^ "All-Time Uniform numbers". Vancouver Canucks. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
- ^ a b "Kirk McLean inducted into Vancouver Canucks Ring of Honour". Vancouver Canucks. November 24, 2010. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ "Thomas Gradin selected for Canucks Ring of Honour induction". Vancouver Canucks. January 5, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ "Harold Snepsts selected for Vancouver Canucks Ring of Honour induction". Vancouver Canucks. February 16, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ Woodley, Kevin (March 2, 2014). "Canucks announce Quinn will go in Ring of Honour". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ^ Vancouver Canucks (March 2, 2014). "Pat Quinn to be inducted into Ring of Honour". Retrieved August 11, 2014.
- ^ "Ohlund to be inducted into Ring of Honour". Retrieved July 25, 2016.
- ^ "Burrows to be inducted into the Canucks Ring of Honour". NHL.com. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- ^ O'Leary, Dan (December 14, 2023). "Hall of Fame goalie Luongo inducted into Canucks Ring of Honor". NHL.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ "Vancouver Canucks - Goalie Career for Team - Wins". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ "Vancouver Canucks - Centre Career for Team - Points". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ "Vancouver Canucks - Skaters Career for Team - Games Played". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ "Vancouver Canucks - Skaters Career for Team - Penalty Minutes". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 16, 2012.