1984–85 Vancouver Canucks season

Offseason

On May 18, Bill LaForge was announced as the new head coach. At 32 years of age, LaForge would be the youngest coach in the NHL at the time. LaForge signed a two-year contract and promised tough practices, while emphasizing his PhD philosophy – pride, hustle, and desire.

Having played the majority of the previous season with the team's minor-league affiliate, centre Gerry Minor was not offered a new contract. On May 30, the team announced it had signed its first Finnish player, Petri Skriko. The 8th round selection in the 1981 Draft had most recently been a member of SaiPa in the Finnish Elite League. After three seasons with the club, Lars Molin turned down a two-way contract and returned to his native Sweden to play with his former club, MoDo AIK.

In the entry draft, the Canucks took 5'11" defenceman J. J. Daigneault with the tenth overall pick. He would have a solid rookie campaign, playing 67 games and collecting 27 points.

On June 22, the club announced that veteran forward Al MacAdam had been acquired from the North Stars for future considerations. The following day, it was revealed that fan favourite Harold Snepsts would be heading to Minnesota after playing his entire ten-year career in a Canucks uniform.

After neck problems had plagued him during the previous season, Darcy Rota underwent spinal fusion surgery on June 29.

Entering the option year of his contract and unable to agree to terms for a new one, enforcer Tiger Williams was dealt to the Detroit Red Wings for Rob McClanahan.

Training camp

The Canucks held their training camp at the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan, from September 18–21.

49 players took part in the training camp. Notable absences included Thomas Gradin and Patrik Sundström, who were representing Team Sweden in the Canada Cup tournament, as well as Darcy Rota and Stu Kulak who were both recovering from injuries.

Players were divided into three scrimmage teams, around which the training camp revolved. Aligning closely to coach LaForge's pride, hustle, and desire philosophy, the teams were named accordingly: Team Pride (captained by Ron Delorme); Team Hustle (captained by Doug Halward); Team Desire (captained by Stan Smyl). These scrimmage teams competed in a round-robin tournament, with the winning team claiming the PhD Cup. At the conclusion of each game, all players of the losing team were made to run a mile in full hockey gear. Those with bad knees were permitted to pedal five miles on a stationary bike in full hockey gear.

Regular season

The team continued to travel aboard their private jet, Air Canuck, for all road trips until late in the season when the plane was sold.

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Pre-season

The Canucks released their pre-season schedule on June 20, 1984. |- | 1 || September 22 || Vancouver || 4–1 || Los Angeles || Kilroy || — || – || |- | 2 || September 22 || Vancouver || 5–3 || Los Angeles || Young || 3,958 || 1–0–0 || |- | 3 || September 23 || Los Angeles || 4–5 || Vancouver || Grant || — || – || |- | 4 || September 23 || Los Angeles || 4–3 || Vancouver || Young || — || 1–1–0 || |- | 5 || September 25 || Edmonton || 7–2 || Vancouver || Brodeur || 9,241 || 1–2–0 || |- | 6 || September 28 || Vancouver || 4–3 || Winnipeg || Caprice || 10,820 || 2–2–0 || |- | 7 || September 30 || Vancouver || 4–8 || Calgary || Brodeur || 16,863 || 2–3–0 || |- | 8 || October 2 || Vancouver || 4–7 || Edmonton || Garrett || 17,237 || 2–4–0 || |- | 9 || October 3 || Winnipeg || 0–4 || Vancouver || Caprice || 3,900 || 3–4–0 || |- | 10 || October 4 || Vancouver || 5–5 || Los Angeles || Garrett || 5,000 || 3–4–1 || |- | 11 || October 5 || Calgary || 3–4 || Vancouver || Brodeur || 8,997 || 4–4–1 || |- | 12 || October 7 || St. Louis || 5–4 || Vancouver || Caprice || 9,059 || 4–5–1 ||

| Legend: Notes:

Game was played by the rookie squad.

Game was played at Memorial Arena in Victoria.

Game was played at Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan.

Regular season

The Canucks released their regular season schedule on June 27, 1984. |- |1||L||October 11, 1984||2–5 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1984–85) ||0–1–0 |- |2||W||October 13, 1984||6–5 OT|| align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1984–85) ||1–1–0 |- |3||L||October 14, 1984||5–7 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1984–85) ||1–2–0 |- |4||L||October 17, 1984||3–4 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1984–85) ||1–3–0 |- |5||L||October 18, 1984||2–13 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1984–85) ||1–4–0 |- |6||L||October 20, 1984||2–3 || align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1984–85) ||1–5–0 |- |7||L||October 23, 1984||5–6 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1984–85) ||1–6–0 |- |8||L||October 24, 1984||3–9 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1984–85) ||1–7–0 |- |9||L||October 28, 1984||2–5 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1984–85) ||1–8–0 |- |10||L||October 30, 1984||0–7 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1984–85) ||1–9–0 |- |11||L||October 31, 1984||3–10 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1984–85) ||1–10–0

| Legend:

Draft picks

Vancouver's draft picks at the 1984 NHL entry draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal.

Farm teams

Fredericton Express (AHL)

References

References

1. (19 May 1984). "LaForge named Canucks' coach". Star-Phoenix.
2. (23 May 1984). "LaForge plans a 'Ph.D' philosophy for Canucks". Bennington Banner.
3. (24 May 1984). "No draft deals for Neale". The Vancouver Sun.
4. (30 May 1984). "Last contract for Snepsts?". The Vancouver Sun.
5. (30 May 1984). "Molin retires; Canucks raise ticket prices". Star-Phoenix.
6. (10 June 1984). "1984 NHL Entry Draft". Calgary Herald.
7. (22 June 1984). "Stars' MacAdam traded to Canucks". Star Tribune.
8. (23 June 1984). "Snepsts now Minnesota property". The Vancouver Sun.
9. (18 July 1984). "Can Neale hook any more fans?". The Vancouver Sun.
10. (8 August 1984). "'Arthur Griffiths didnt want me' – Williams". The Vancouver Sun.
11. (18 September 1984). "Will Neale feel warm all over?". The Province.
12. (14 September 1984). "LaForge going to camp looking for scorers". The Vancouver Sun.
13. (18 September 1984). "Will Neale feel warm all over?". The Province.
14. (26 February 1985). "Speed and convenience make Air Canuck untouchable". The Vancouver Sun.
15. (20 June 1984). "Canucks trio has work to do". The province.
16. (28 June 1984). "Start with Nordiques". Nanaimo Daily News.
17. "1984-85 Vancouver Canucks Schedule".