Blasts from the Past …
By Norm Jewison
Did you know?
In 1978-79 Canucks right winger Stan Smyl performed one of the rarest feats the NHL seldom sees. He led his team in goals (31), assists (47), points (78) and penalty minutes (204)!
Research reveals the only other time since a player led his club in all four categories was in the 1999-2000 season when Joe Thornton duplicated the feat with the Boston Bruins (23G-37A-60PTS-82 PIM).
When asked to comment on Smyl’s performance, coach Harry Neale offered one of his typical literary gems when he said: “It’s the most unheard of thing I’ve ever heard of”.
Neale was full of such unique observations, a quality that endeared him to the news media that could always count on him for juicy quotes and quirky insights.
Following his coaching career, Neale had a lengthy stint as a colour commentator for Hockey Night in Canada. One night in Minnesota, North Stars centre Bobby Smith put an amazing deke on an opposing defenceman, skated in and roofed a goal for a breathtaking all-around play. Neale described the feat thusly: “Smith just made a monumental play around a defenceman who looked like a monument!”
In the early ‘80s, Canucks played their Saturday home games at 5 p.m. at the Pacific Coliseum. One particular Saturday, game time was fast approaching but there was no sign of coach Roger Neilson. This, of course, was before the proliferation of cell phones and Neilson was not answering his home line.
But just minutes before puck drop, Neilson came panting into the dressing room looking like he’d just finished the Vancouver Marathon. An avid outdoorsman, Neilson had been riding his mountain bike with his dog, Mike, on the Baden-Powell trail on the North Shore when he was caught by a surprise snowstorm! Bound and determined not to miss the game, Neilson showed up just as anthem singer Richard Loney was belting out the last few bars of O Canada!
The late Arv Olson was a highly respected hockey writer for the Vancouver Sun. One spring, Swedish defenceman Lars Lindgren was asked by Olson (of Swedish descent himself) what he thought Team Sweden’s chances were in the upcoming World Championships, a series involving players from non-playoff NHL teams.