[Report] Stan Smyl steps down from position with Canucks Hockey Operations

[RWJC]

 

Edited October 5, 2023 by RWJC

[RWJC]

Canucks legend Stan Smyl to transition from hockey operations after 45 years

 

Sportsnet Staff

October 5, 2023, 7:50 PM

 

Vancouver Canucks legend Stan Smyl has decided to transition from his role within the team’s hockey operations department after spending 45 years as a player, coach, senior manager and leader in the unit, the team announced Thursday.

 

Smyl will remain a community and business ambassador with the club. In this role, he will represent the Canucks across a broad range of community and business-based activities.

 

Smyl joined the organization in 1978, and the eight-year captain led the Canucks to the 1982 Stanley Cup Final and became the first player in franchise history to have his number retired.

 

His 45 consecutive years with the club make him the longest-serving player/employee in franchise history. Smyl has been a member of the Canucks organization for parts of the past six decades.

 

“When I moved to Vancouver in 1978, I could not have imagined the positive journey it would become over the next 40-plus years,” Smyl said in a statement. “This team and community have meant everything to me and my family. We are truly grateful for all of the relationships and experiences we have shared together.”

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/canucks-legend-stan-smyl-to-transition-from-hockey-operations-after-45-years/sn-amp/

[Jack Gordon]

I'm kinda steamed about this...

[Jim Tim]

All the best in retirement Steamer. Will never forget Vasiliev Podslovin 

[MeanSeanBean]

Congratulations on 'retirement' Steamer. Well earned. We've been lucky to have a man who bled blue for this long in the organization. I hope the Twins are the next generation of lifers.

[Harvey Specter]

Steamer, congratulations on a storied career transcending beyond just an NHL player. 

 

Respect for temporarily taking the reigns and never losing a game as our one-time General Manager. 

 

All the very best and you will be Forever a Canuck. 

[Rip The Mesh]

What a giant part of the Vancouver Canucks organization in many positions. Hope you're Retirement is a happy and healthy one. 

 

 

[Alflives]

Great Canuck and great person. But not the brightest of bulbs. 

[BlockerHigh]

20 minutes ago, RWJC said:

 

The best Captain we ever had, sorry Trevor, Nazzy and Henrik but pound for pound, what this guy brought EVERY single night on a crap team for his entire career is truly remarkable....he could have quit and just 'accepted' we sucked and toned it down, but man he played like a Tazmanian devil every night. The guy even went toe to toe with Dave Semenko who had 6 inches on him and probably 50 lbs...A player of PURE HEART and commitment to the Canucks during and after his career. If only all players played with 1/2 his intensity....Thanks Steamer...enjoy some time for you and your family.

[-dlc-]

He's been a class act his entire tenure with this team and has paid his dues with this club/city.

 

I hope he gets some quality time for himself...sad that he lost his wife last year before he could share it with her.

 

I wish him nothing but the best moving forward, he'll always be a beloved Canuck. Nothing but respect for the man.

[Gurn]

I am sad.

A- to see Stan leave

B- for instantly thinking he got pushed out.

[Grinch]

He couldn’t shut down cdc so he left 

[Alflives]

1 minute ago, Gurn said:

I am sad.

A- to see Stan leave

B- for instantly thinking he got pushed out.

Yes to both. Personally I’m not a fan of new management. They seem cutthroat. They are a lot like Gillis in that way. Just not likeable. But maybe that’s what we need again to build a winner? No more likeable guys like Smyle and Benning. But nasty cutthroat bastards like Gillis? 

[smithers joe]

he has always been my favourite canuck. there have been more skilled players on the team bu stan was a heart and soul player every shift.

[RWJC]

To honour the legend, I propose we create a Stan Smyl emoji for the forum to represent Steamer.

Like a “legendary” emoji…maybe the black Flying V jersey with a number 12 as a logo?

Anybody wish to second the motion?

 

@Ribs
 

 

Edited October 6, 2023 by RWJC

[Gurn]

	NHL Totals		896	262	411	673	1556		41	16	17	33	64
1973-74	Bellingham Blazers	BCJHL	Statistics Unavailable
1974-75	Bellingham Blazers	BCJHL	--	29	33	62	0
1974-75	New Westminster Bruins	WCHL	--	--	--	--	--	--	3	0	0	0	15
1975-76	New Westminster Bruins	WCHL	72	32	42	74	169		16	8	6	14	43
1976-77	New Westminster Bruins	WCHL	72	35	31	66	200		13	6	7	13	51
1977-78	New Westminster Bruins	WCHL	53	29	47	76	211		20	14	21	35	43
1978-79	Dallas Black Hawks	CHL	3	1	1	2	9		--	--	--	--	--
1978-79	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	62	14	24	38	89	-6	2	1	1	2	0
1979-80	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	77	31	47	78	204	28	4	0	2	2	14
1980-81	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	80	25	38	63	171	-8	3	1	2	3	0
1981-82	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	80	34	44	78	144	18	17	9	9	18	25
1982-83	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	74	38	50	88	114	-6	4	3	2	5	12
1983-84	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	80	24	43	67	136	-21	4	2	1	3	4
1984-85	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	80	27	37	64	100	-18	--	--	--	--	--
1985-86	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	73	27	35	62	144	-20	--	--	--	--	--
1986-87	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	66	20	23	43	84	-20	--	--	--	--	--
1987-88	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	57	12	25	37	110	-5	--	--	--	--	--
1988-89	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	75	7	18	25	102	0	7	0	0	0	9
1989-90	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	47	1	15	16	71	-14	--	--	--	--	--
1990-91	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	45	2	12	14	87	-5	--	--	--	--	--

[tas]

it's up to the sedins now. they are the conscience of this organization now. they are the only remaining continuity in spirit and culture. 

 

if they leave, you might as well change the name of the team. 

 

edit: well, the immortal ron delorme I guess. 

Edited October 6, 2023 by tas

[Steamer4GM]

12 minutes ago, RWJC said:

To honour the legend, I propose we create a Stan Smyl emoji for the forum to represent heart and soul and a character effort.

Anybody wish to second the motion?

 

@Ribs
 

 

SECONDED!!!

[puckstopper]

10 minutes ago, RWJC said:

To honour the legend, I propose we create a Stan Smyl emoji for the forum to represent heart and soul and a character effort.

Anybody wish to second the motion?

 

@Ribs
 

 

Only a novice but seconded......Steamer blead black and gold! then blead blue and green for us all!

[Steamer4GM]

I never got to see him play for New West but heard he was just amazing there as well.

 

As brief and somewhat shy of the reign I'd ultimately loved to have been witness to, it definitely made my day when he made GM

 

Wish nothing but the best to him and his family and just hope the current class of characters at the helm can do him proud, turn things around in due time and make a few more runs at the grail while Stan's still with us. Wish it could've happened while he was in hockey ops but dude deserves to step back / retire.

[gwarrior]

Thank you for everything, Stan.

[Law of Goalies]

43 minutes ago, Gurn said:

I am sad.

A- to see Stan leave

B- for instantly thinking he got pushed out.

Or C - Saw some bad decisions and decided to leave (e.g. Linden when he quit as P).

[tas]

2 minutes ago, Law of Goalies said:

Or C - Saw some bad decisions and decided to leave (e.g. Linden when he quit as P).

 

it isn't multiple choice, it's select all that apply. 

[Jaimito]

1 hour ago, Jim Tim said:

All the best in retirement Steamer. Will never forget Vasiliev Podslovin 

 

 

[AlwaysACanuckFan]

Thank you Stan for everything and all your service. He was also the only GM to not lose a game.