Alumni News 2021 Issue
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS... DYNAMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
Babe Pratt
Hockey has enjoyed a rich tradition in Vancouver for over a century. In fact, a club called the Vancouver Millionaires led by the legendary Fred (Cyclone) Taylor, challenged for and won the Stanley Cup in 1915.
Over the subsequent decades, the game was always very much a part of the fabric of West Coast society. In the ‘30s, the Vancouver Lions were proud members of the Pacific Coast Hockey League. In 1946, the local team was renamed Canucks in recognition of Johnny Canuck, the muscular cartoon symbol of Canada’s efforts during World War II. Two years later, the PCL gave way to the Western Hockey League. The WHL Canucks represented Vancouver well, winning the Lester Patrick Cup in 1958, 1960, 1969 and 1970 while wearing the Johnny Canuck logo. Just a month after their 1970 title, the Canucks were awarded an NHL franchise.
The current Canucks are keenly aware of the hockey pioneers that preceded them and are duly proud of the powerful bond that has developed between past and present, a link that is truly remarkable.
Today, a fraternity of past players, club staff, sponsors and long-time friends of the Canucks make up a group of over 200 card-carrying members of a team now known as the Canucks Alumni. This dynamic association of diverse individuals has worked tirelessly in the community for charitable initiatives through fundraising Oldtimers’ games, golf tournaments and so much more for going on seven decades.
Over that span, the Alumni has raised millions of dollars for charity and has contributed in no small way to the fact that the parent Canucks are one of the highest fundraising clubs in the entire 31-team National Hockey League. The Canucks Alumni is now recognized league-wide as a trendsetter and consummate model for other teams to emulate.
But how did it all start?
It all began in 1951 when a popular Vancouver hockey player passed away from leukemia. In an effort to defray the high costs of medical treatment borne by the widow, his teammates decided to stage a fund-raising Oldtimers game. The event was such an artistic and financial success that fans declared they wanted more!
Babe Pratt
From the Editor
Greg Douglas
Welcome to the 2021 edition of the Canucks Alumni Newsletter that’s bursting with information and anecdotes from start to finish.
Our lead-off hitter is Norm Jewison with an in-depth look tracing the history and development of the Canucks Alumni. His engaging salute is appropriately headlined: “Humble Beginnings … Dynamic Achievements”.
Norm also provides several entertaining tales from the ‘lighter side’ during his storied career with the Canucks that began in 1977 as Director of Public Relations and ended 30 years later as Senior Editor & Alumni Liaison.
The Norm Jewison Media Room at Rogers Arena is a deserving testament to the man who worked under nine Canucks general managers over three decades.
Canucks Alumni president Bob Murray and Alumni Foundation president Arthur Griffiths check in with their latest updates while Bernie Pascall continues his popular Canucks Alumni Family profiles featuring the families of Brendan Morrison and Gary Smith. Bernie also contributes an insightful update on Vic Stasiuk, the Canucks oldest living head coach.
Canucks Alumni liaison and manager of Community Partnerships & Hockey Development Rod Brathwaite is profiled; John Grisdale shares news on the Alumni Scholarship and Health & Wellness programs; Mike Brown checks in with his social media and website updates; new Alumni members are acknowledged and activities in the BC community are noted by Alumni Association executive director Robin Wyss.
Sadly, the Canucks Alumni lost three of its family members over the past eight months with the passing of Jack McIlhargey on July 19, 2020, Rob Flockhart on January 2, 2021 and Bobby Schmautz on March 28, 2021.
McIlhargey established himself as one the NHL’s toughest defencemen when he broke in with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1975-76 and maintained that reputation when he was traded to the Canucks midway through the 1977 season. He appeared in 167 games for Vancouver and went on to spend 20 years in the Canucks organization coaching and scouting. He lost his battle with cancer at the age of 68.
Flockhart suffered a fatal heart attack at 62 at his home Kamloops, BC. He was drafted by the Canucks in 1976 following an outstanding junior career with the Kamloops Chiefs that led to joining Team Canada for the 1975 World Junior Championships. Rob spent three seasons in the Canucks organization with his longest NHL stint coming in 1977-78 when he appeared in 24 games.
Schmautz died on his 76th birthday after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March, 2020. A feisty right winger, Schmautz was a goal-scoring machine in his junior days with Saskatoon before being drafted by the Chicago Black Hawks. He joined the Canucks in 1970-71 and led the team in scoring in 1972-73 with 38 goals and 33 assists, one point better than linemate Andre Boudrias. The Canucks traded Schmautz to the Boston Bruins midway through the 1973-74 season but he returned to finish his NHL career with Vancouver in 1980-81.
Long-time Canucks Alumni president Gerry Sillers was a boyhood friend of Bobby’s growing up in Saskatoon where they were teammates with the junior Blades. Gerry and his wife Margie were at his side when ‘Schmautzie’ peacefully passed away at his home in Peoria, Arizona.