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56-622: Smyl was born in Glendon, Alberta , but grew up in nearby St. Paul, Alberta . As a junior , he appeared in three consecutive Memorial Cups with the New Westminster Bruins , winning the championship in 1977 and 1978 . Nicknamed " Steamer " by the Bellingham Blazer fans for his relentless and hard-nosed style of play, he served as captain for a team record eight seasons, later tied by Henrik Sedin . He retired as

112-682: A 1.4% change from its 2011 population of 486. With a land area of 1.99 km (0.77 sq mi), it had a population density of 247.7/km (641.6/sq mi) in 2016. 1978%E2%80%9379 NHL season The 1978–79 NHL season was the 62nd season of the National Hockey League . The Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup finals four games to one for their fourth consecutive Cup; two " Original Six " teams would not meet again in

168-568: A 14-game scoring streak of his own. Smyl, Rota and Gradin formed a high-scoring top line for Vancouver; all three teammates finished among the league's top 30 players in points. Entering the 1983 playoffs, the Canucks attempted to defend their Clarence S. Campbell Bowl of the previous season, but were defeated in four games of a best-of-five series against the Calgary Flames . Smyl helped the Canucks stave off elimination in game three, scoring

224-486: A Canuck to surpass Smyl on both marks. Smyl's last major mark of assists was passed by Linden on November 8, 2007 and then surpassed by Henrik Sedin in the 2009-10 season. Later Canucks captain Markus Näslund would, in turn, surpass Linden's marks in goals and points, but not games. Smyl was later present as Linden's retirement ceremony as he joined Smyl as the only two players to have their jersey numbers retired by

280-492: A bench-clearing brawl during a game on November 2. After spearing Richer late in the third period, Canadiens forward Claude Lemieux then sucker-punched Smyl in the head on his way to the bench. A total of 139 penalty minutes were assessed to both teams and the Canadiens went on to win the game 5–3. Later in the season, Smyl became the Canucks' all-time leader in regular season games played with 648, passing Harold Snepsts in

336-429: A fan favourite and earned him the nickname "Steamer". Smyl was also a strong leader, serving as captain for the Canucks for eight seasons. When Smyl announced his retirement on July 3, 1991, he was concurrently named a Canucks assistant coach , along with Rick Ley , to Pat Quinn . He was honoured for his playing career, spent entirely with the Canucks, during a pre-game ceremony on November 3. In his third year behind

392-454: A game against the Calgary Flames on January 16, 1987. Facing goaltender Mike Vernon , he scored to help the Canucks win 9–5. There was speculation at the trade deadline in March 1987 that Smyl would be traded to a playoff contender, as the Canucks were in the midst of another losing season. Smyl responded by asserting that Vancouver was his home and he had no desire to be dealt away. He finished

448-551: A game against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 5, 1985. The following month, Smyl became the Canucks all-time points leader on December 14, 1986. Notching his sixth career hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks, he recorded his 551st career point to pass Thomas Gradin's all-time leading mark of 550. A little over a month later, Smyl was awarded the first and only penalty shot of his NHL career during

504-675: Is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1978–79 (listed with their first team, asterisk (*) marks debut in playoffs): Players marked with § began their major professional career in the World Hockey Association . The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1978–79 (listed with their last team): Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Television televised Saturday night regular season games and Stanley Cup playoff games. In

560-559: Is a village in northern Alberta , Canada that is north of St. Paul . The community has the maiden name of an early postmaster's mother. In 1993, the town unveiled its roadside tribute to the perogy . Their "Giant Perogy," complete with fork, is 7.6 m (24.9 ft) in height. It is one of the Giants of the Prairies . Glendon is home to former NHLer Stan Smyl . In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada ,

616-526: The 1984–85 and 1985–86 seasons . On February 27, 1985, Smyl scored his 187th career goal to pass Don Lever as the Canucks' all-time leading goal-scorer. Late in the 1985–86 season, Smyl suffered torn knee ligaments due to a blindsiding check from opposing forward Alain Côté during the final minute of a 7–6 win against the Quebec Nordiques on March 26, 1987. He was sidelined for the remainder of

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672-574: The 1985 Stanley Cup playoffs , Hockey Canada selected Smyl and four other Canucks – Doug Halward , Doug Lidster , Tony Tanti and Cam Neely – to the national team for the 1985 World Championships in Prague , Czechoslovakia . Facing the Soviet Union in the second game of the final round, Smyl scored the game winner , his only goal of the tournament, for Canada in a 3–1 victory. The win placed Canada in contention for their first gold medal at

728-849: The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) champions for a berth in the 1975 Royal Bank Cup , the Blazers lost the Pacific regional title to the Spruce Grove Mets . Following his playoffs with the Blazers, Smyl debuted at the major junior level with the New Westminster Bruins of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL). He appeared in three playoff games, being a part of the Bruins franchise's first President's Cup as WCHL champions. Joining

784-542: The Memorial Cup , the Bruins won their first major junior title in franchise history. Playing in his third and final major junior season, Smyl recorded a WCJHL career high 76 points over 53 games. In the 1978 WCHL playoffs, he notched 35 points in 20 games, capturing his third consecutive President's Cup with the Bruins. At the 1978 Memorial Cup , Smyl was named the tournament MVP and received tournament All-Star Team honours with 14 points in five games. The Bruins became

840-705: The Syracuse Crunch . He became the second coach in Crunch history, replacing Jack McIlhargey , who had served for five seasons. He coached the Crunch to a .500 season in his debut behind the bench. In the 2000 off-season, the Canucks signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Kansas City Blades of the International Hockey League (IHL). Smyl was reassigned to Kansas City, replacing their previous coach Paul MacLean . When

896-472: The game winning goal with 57 seconds to go in regulation, but they were defeated the following game. The following season in 1983–84 , Smyl's production dipped to 67 points. Vancouver met the Flames in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year, losing in four games once more. Smyl and the Canucks would not qualify for the playoffs again for five years. He remained in the 60-point range in

952-540: The Bruins full-time the following season, Smyl put up 74 points in 72 games as the Bruins captured their second consecutive WCHL title. Earning a berth in the 1976 Memorial Cup , they lost the Canadian major junior title to the Hamilton Fincups . In 1976–77 , New Westminster repeated as President's Cup champions as Smyl posted 66 points in the regular season, then 13 points in 13 playoff games. Returning to

1008-631: The Canucks after general manager Jim Benning was relieved of his duties. Smyl played Junior A with the Bellingham Blazers of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL) for one season in 1974–75. Notching 33 points in 25 playoff games, he led the Blazers to a Fred Page Cup title as league champions in a 4–2 win over the Kelowna Buckaroos . Advancing to a best-of-seven series with

1064-535: The Canucks after the firing of Jim Benning . On October 05, 2023 Smyl announced he was stepping away from his Hockey Operations position after 45 years but is remaining with the club as a community and business ambassador. Smyl left home at 13 years old to pursue his hockey career in British Columbia . His wife was Jennifer Smyl, who passed away in September 2022. Glendon, Alberta Glendon

1120-515: The Canucks in 1980–81, notching 25 goals and 63 points. Early in the 1981–82 season , Smyl recorded a five-point game, notching a hat trick and two assists, in an 8–4 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 31, 1981. Late in the campaign, he was named team captain , succeeding defenceman Kevin McCarthy , who had broken his ankle during practice. He went on to complete the campaign with 34 goals and 78 points over 80 games. Despite finishing

1176-421: The Canucks in scoring with 31 goals and 78 points over 77 games in 1979–80 . In the second half of the season, he registered a team record point-scoring streak that lasted 12 games (five goals and 22 points) between February 7 and March 4, 1980. The streak broke Dennis Kearns ' 11-game mark, set three years prior in March 1977 . Shortly after the streak ended, he notched his first NHL career hat trick against

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1232-592: The Canucks qualified for the 1979 playoffs as the final seed , Smyl scored his first NHL post-season goal in game one of the preliminary round against the Philadelphia Flyers . Vancouver won the game 3–2, but went on to lose the best-of-three series in three games. Smyl also played three games for the Central Hockey League 's Dallas Black Hawks during the campaign. Smyl became a point-per-game player in his second NHL season, leading

1288-560: The Canucks' all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points – all of which have been since surpassed by Henrik and Daniel Sedin . Smyl's number 12 was the first retired number in Canucks' history, as it was raised to the Pacific Coliseum rafters in 1991. It now hangs with Pavel Bure 's number 10, Trevor Linden 's number 16, Markus Näslund 's number 19, Daniel Sedin's number 22, and Henrik Sedin's number 33 at Rogers Arena . The end of his playing career coincided with

1344-521: The Canucks, as well as his first in five years. The Canucks took the Presidents' Trophy winner Calgary Flames to seven games in the first round, but lost the deciding game in overtime. Smyl had an opportunity to win the series for Vancouver on a breakaway in overtime, but was stopped by a Mike Vernon glove save. Smyl was held without a point in the series. In 1989–90 , Smyl played his last season as team captain and recorded 16 points in 47 games. He

1400-618: The Canucks. Näslund joined them in that honour during the 2010–11 season . At the 2010 Winter Olympics , held in Vancouver , Smyl was named the official ambassador for Molson Canadian Hockey House – a pavilion for hockey fans and players that was temporarily raised in Downtown Vancouver . He also ran a leg with the Olympic torch on the last day of the relay on February 12, 2010. During his final year of junior , Smyl

1456-678: The Finals for the next 34 years, when Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins in the 2013 Finals . The Bruins faced the Canadiens in the 1979 semifinals, marking the last appearance by three Original Six teams in the final four for the next 35 years, when the Blackhawks, Canadiens and Rangers reached the semifinals of the 2014 playoffs . The Cleveland Barons merged with the Minnesota North Stars (continuing as

1512-735: The IHL folded following Smyl's first season with the Blades, he was moved back to the AHL, named coach of the Manitoba Moose on June 28, 2001. He coached them to the second round in 2002–03 . On March 2, 2004, he notched his 100th win as head coach of the Moose in a 3–0 win over the Milwaukee Admirals . However, as the Moose missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years in 2004 , Smyl

1568-596: The North Stars), reducing the NHL membership to 17 teams, the last time that a league in the "big four" major professional sports league contracted. This season saw the first reduction in the total number of teams since the Brooklyn Americans folded following the 1941–42 season . Fearing that two teams were on the verge of folding, the league approved the merger of the financially unstable Cleveland Barons and Minnesota North Stars franchises, reducing

1624-484: The U.S., this was the fourth and final season that NHL games aired in national broadcast syndication under the NHL Network package. On February 10, CBS decided to televise Game 2 of the 1979 Challenge Cup , but that was the network's only involvement in broadcasting the NHL this season. Similarly, ABC only agreed to air Game 7 of the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals had the series gone that far. The league then dissolved

1680-503: The Village of Glendon had a population of 516 living in 208 of its 256 total private dwellings, a change of 4.7% from its 2016 population of 493. With a land area of 1.99 km (0.77 sq mi), it had a population density of 259.3/km (671.6/sq mi) in 2021. In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Village of Glendon recorded a population of 493 living in 208 of its 234 total private dwellings,

1736-541: The World Championships in 24 years. However, they lost the gold medal to Czechoslovakia in a 5–3 loss. Smyl contributed two points in 10 games while playing on a line with Brian MacLellan and Bernie Nicholls . Smyl was relatively small for an NHL player at 5 feet and 8 inches. He was known for his two-way play, being responsible on defence, while also producing offensively. He compensated for his size with toughness and relentless checking that made him

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1792-523: The beginning of a 13-year coaching career, serving as an assistant with the Canucks and a head coach with the club's minor league affiliates: the Syracuse Crunch , Kansas City Blades and Manitoba Moose . Upon being let go as coach of the Moose, he was reassigned to the Canucks' front office where he has served as director of player development and director of collegiate scouting, before being appointed role as senior advisor on hockey operations. In December 2021, Smyl briefly served as interim general manager of

1848-592: The bench, Smyl was involved in his second Stanley Cup Finals with the Canucks in 1994 . Vancouver went to seven games with the New York Rangers , losing 3–2 in the deciding game. Smyl helped coach opposite Rangers assistant coach Colin Campbell , who was also a part of the Canucks' 1982 Cup run as a player. Between 1994 and 1999, the Canucks' head coaching position changed five times. Ley overtook head coaching duties from 1994 to 1996 as Quinn returned to his executive positions as president and general manager. After Ley

1904-544: The campaign with 20 goals and 43 points over 66 games in an injury-shortened season. It marked the lowest points total of his career and the start of a decrease in production in the remaining four seasons before his retirement. After recording eight consecutive 20-plus goal seasons, Smyl's production dipped to 12 goals and 37 points over 57 games in 1987–88 . Injured during the season, Smyl was temporarily replaced by defenceman Daryl Stanley as team captain in his absence. The following year, Smyl appeared in his last playoffs with

1960-423: The campaign, he recorded the most prolific month by a Canucks player in team history with 31 points (10 goals and 21 assists) over 16 games in March 1983. During that span, he reeled off a 13-game point streak from February 27 to March 23 that included eight goals and 27 points. At 13 games, the streak surpassed the previous team record he set in 1980, but was quickly broken by teammate Darcy Rota six days later with

2016-523: The campaign. In the off-season, Smyl was re-signed by the Canucks to a multi-year contract in July 1986. The following season , the Canucks met the Nordiques in a game on October 13, 1986. Smyl fought Côté during the game, but he was consequently sidelined by re-injuring his knee. Upon returning to the lineup, Smyl was involved in an altercation with Montreal Canadiens forward Stéphane Richer that led to

2072-401: The face. Joined by several teammates, Smyl began fighting Rissling. Consequently, Smyl and Rissling both received minor penalties for roughing and major penalties for fighting, while additionally being ejected from the game. A week later, Rissling received a four-game suspension from NHL executive vice president Brian O'Neill . Smyl was not injured on the play and appeared in all 80 games for

2128-613: The first Canucks player to have his jersey number retired as his #12 was raised to the rafters at the Pacific Coliseum on November 3, 1991. In 2000, he was inducted into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame. Smyl's all-time team records stood for more than a decade until Trevor Linden (who was part of the Canucks tri-captaincy after Smyl resigned the captaincy) overtook them, beginning with his goals mark in 2002–03 . The following season in 2003–04 , Linden played in his 897th game and recorded his 674th point as

2184-738: The first team to repeat as Memorial Cup champions in consecutive years as the Bruins won for the second straight year. After a decorated season with the New Westminster Bruins, his final year of junior, Smyl was a third round, 40th overall selection in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft by the Vancouver Canucks . Smyl entered the NHL with the Canucks the following season in 1978–79 . Playing on a line with fellow rookies Thomas Gradin and Curt Fraser , he scored 14 goals and 38 points over 62 games in his first season. He also proved to be physical, earning 89 penalty minutes as well. As

2240-574: The first time since the NHL All-Star Game became an annual tradition, it was not played. In its stead was the 1979 Challenge Cup , which saw Soviet Union players come over to North America to play against NHL players. The Soviets won the series two games to one. For the past three seasons, the Montreal Canadiens had dominated the regular season, but times were changing. The New York Islanders had been steadily improving over

2296-607: The goaltender Pat Riggin during a game against the Atlanta Flames on March 7. Nearly a month later, he notched four assists in one game – a 5–0 win against the Edmonton Oilers on April 1, 1980. The following campaign , Smyl was involved in an on-ice incident during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 17, 1981. During the first period, opposing forward Gary Rissling speared him in

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2352-446: The newly created position as Director of Collegiate Scouting. Former NHL player Dave Gagner assumed Smyl's former Director of Player Development role. After one season in that role, Smyl was re-positioned to a role as Senior Advisor to Gillis before the 2008–09 season on September 11, 2008. In his duties as Advisor he still partially oversees collegiate scouting. On December 5–9, 2021, Smyl briefly served as interim general manager of

2408-602: The number of teams to 17. The merged team continued as the Minnesota North Stars but assumed the Barons' place in the Adams Division. This reduction would only be temporary, however, as negotiations continued toward an agreement with the World Hockey Association that would see it fold following this season, with four of its teams joining the NHL as expansion franchises for 1979–80 . A dispersal draft

2464-633: The past few seasons and this season saw them beat out the Canadiens by one point for the best record in the league. This was the last season until the 2005–06 season that the St. Louis Blues missed the playoffs. GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalties In Minutes Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points        Teams that qualified for

2520-485: The playoffs are highlighted in bold. The twelve teams that qualified for the playoffs are ranked 1–12 based on regular season points. Note: Only teams that qualified for the playoffs are listed here. GP = Games Played, G = Goals , A = Assists , Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties In Minutes Source: NHL. Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts The following

2576-618: The position for eight years, the longest tenure among Canucks captains all-time. He scored his last NHL goal on December 5, 1990, against the New Jersey Devils . He played his last game on March 16, 1991, against the New York Islanders . After managing 14 points in 45 games, Smyl retired at the end of the 1990–91 season . Smyl retired with Canucks franchise records in every major statistical category with 262 goals, 411 assists and 673 points in 896 games played. He became

2632-482: The regular season 41 points ahead of the Canucks and had won the Stanley Cup the previous two years, they were swept in four games. Smyl scored the Canucks' only goal in their 3–1 defeat in game four, tying the game at 1–1 in the first period on his own rebound before Mike Bossy scored twice to secure the Islanders' win. Smyl accumulated 19 points in 18 playoff games, second in team scoring to Thomas Gradin. During

2688-540: The regular season with a losing record, the Canucks embarked on a playoff run to the franchise's first Stanley Cup Finals in team history. In the fifth and deciding game of the semi-finals against the Chicago Black Hawks , Smyl notched two goals in a 6–2 win to capture the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as conference champions, sending the Canucks to the Finals. Facing the New York Islanders , who had finished

2744-408: The subsequent off-season, Canucks general manager Harry Neale appointed Smyl as McCarthy's permanent successor as team captain. The decision was influenced by the Canucks' run to the Finals under Smyl's captaincy. Neale commented, "We reached a tremendous high last spring under Stan as captain and we feel we want to continue that atmosphere." Consequently, McCarthy asked to be traded, but remained with

2800-464: The team for one-and-a-half seasons thereafter until he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins in January 1984. In his first full season as captain , Smyl recorded career highs with 38 goals and 50 assists. In addition to leading the club in scoring for the second time in his career, his 88 points established a club record (it was broken by Patrik Sundström 's 91 points the following season ). Late in

2856-420: Was dismissed as head coach on June 7, 2004, and reassigned within the Canucks organization. He was replaced by Washington Capitals assistant coach Randy Carlyle . Some Moose players later commented that Carlyle exhibited a stronger presence and was more demanding in comparison to Smyl. Let go as Moose head coach, Smyl was named the Canucks' Director of Player Development in the 2004 off-season. Much of his time

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2912-437: Was fired late in the 1995–96 season, Quinn served as the Canucks' interim head coach until Tom Renney was hired for the beginning of the 1996–97 season. In turn, Renney was fired after one-and-a-half seasons and replaced by Mike Keenan . Throughout the changes, Smyl remained in his position as assistant under all four head coaches. In June 1999, Smyl was named head coach of the Canucks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate,

2968-552: Was often a healthy scratch (non-dressing player) and did not score his first goal of the season until the final game on March 31, 1990, a 6–3 win against the Los Angeles Kings (he had not previously scored since April 2, 1989 – the final game of the previous season). At the start of the next season, Smyl resigned his captaincy and it was split throughout the season between Dan Quinn , Doug Lidster and Trevor Linden (the captaincy would be retained by Linden). Smyl had held

3024-486: Was selected to the Canadian national junior team for the 1978 World Junior Championships , held in Québec , Canada. Playing as the host nation, Canada earned the bronze medal, having finished third in round-robin play . Smyl notched a goal and an assist over six games. Smyl got his first and only opportunity to represent Canada's men's team in 1985. After the Canucks became the first team eliminated from contention for

3080-470: Was spent overseeing the play of prospects within the Canucks' farm system – for example those playing with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL and Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL . He served in that capacity for four years until Mike Gillis took over as Canucks general manager from Dave Nonis after the 2007–08 season . Gillis expanded the Canucks' player development and scouting departments and assigned Smyl

3136-586: Was then held on June 15, 1978. The merged North Stars was allowed to protect 14 players, then the five other worst teams in the previous 1977–78 season would each have the option to pick one of the unprotected players. The 1978 NHL Amateur Draft was also held on June 15, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal , Quebec . Bobby Smith was selected first overall by the North Stars. For

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