Stan Smyl
Stan Smyl: Canucks legend, not a King.
Stanley Philip Smyl (born January 28, 1958) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He was selected 41st overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft and went on to play his entire NHL career with the team until his retirement in 1991.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Right winger
- Affiliation
- Vancouver Canucks (1978–1991)
- Jersey number
- 12
- Nationality
- Canadian (British Columbia)
- Playing style
- Hard-nosed
- relentless
- physical
- Franchise significance
- First true iconic player of the modern Canucks era
Lore & Background
Nicknamed 'Steamer' by the Bellingham Blazer fans for his relentless and hard-nosed style of play, Smyl served as captain for a team record eight seasons, later tied by Henrik Sedin. He retired as 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 raised to the Pacific Coliseum rafters in 1991, though it was not the first retired number in Canucks' history; that honor belongs to Orland Kurtenbach's number 10, retired in 1975.
Reader's Guide
Smyl played his entire NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks, never playing for the Los Angeles Kings. He was a forward (right wing), not a goaltender. His jersey number was 12, not 31.
Did You Know?
- Smyl featured in the 1982 Stanley Cup Final with the Canucks.
- He won the Memorial Cup with the New Westminster Bruins in 1977 and 1978.
- Smyl served as interim general manager of the Canucks in 2008, and in 2014 he was named senior advisor to the general manager.
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