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Vancouver Canucks

In 1945 the Pacific Coast Hockey League established an ice hockey franchise in the city of Vancouver. Known as the Canucks, they immediately enjoyed success by winning the PCHL championship in only their second year of existence. In 1952, the PCHL merged with the Western Canada Senior Hockey League to form the professional Western Hockey League. With numerous star players coming through the ranks like Johnny Bower, Andy Bathgate, Tony Esposito, and Phil Maloney, the Canucks won the Lester Patrick Cup in 1958, 1960, 1969, and 1970.

In 1965, when the NHL announced plans to expand to six additional markets (soon to be known as the Expansion Six), the WHL's Canucks owner and former Vancouver mayor Fred Hume announced that the city of Vancouver would apply. However, the presentation to the NHL's Board of Governors was sloppily prepared. Because of this, and the fact that the Vancouver ownership group was disliked by Chicago Blackhawks' owner James Norris and Toronto Maple Leafs' owner Stafford Smythe (who hated Vancouver in general because of a failed arena plan), the application did not succeed. Nevertheless, the Pacific Coliseum, which was to be the first home for a prospective Vancouver NHL team, was built on the grounds of the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE).

In 1970, another Vancouver ownership group bought the minor-league Canucks and, after much negotiating, the Canucks joined the NHL for the price of $6 million ($4 million more than it would have cost in 1967). Interestingly, the Canucks were placed in the East Division to maintain parity between the two divisions (more interesting was the fact that the Blackhawks moved from the East Division to the West Division the same year).

Canucks First Captain: Orland Kurtenbach
CanucksFirst Game: 9 October, 1970 vs. Los Angeles Kings
Canucks First Victory: 11 October, 1970 5 - 3 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Canucks First Goal Scored: Barry Wilkins vs. Los Angeles Kings
The Canucks have been to the Stanley Cup finals twice in their franchise history. Their first trip was in 1982, when they were swept 4 games to none by the New York Islanders. In 1994, the Canucks made an improbable trip to the finals, entering that year's playoffs as the seventh seed in the Western Conference. The Vancouver Canucks played against the New York Rangers, and lost 4 games to 3 in what was one of the closest and most exciting Stanley Cup finals in NHL history.

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