1984–85 Vancouver Canucks season

15th season in franchise history March 2026 August 2023 January 2017 NHL 1984–85 1984 Vancouver Canucks 25–46–9 15–21–4 10–25–5 Smythe 5th Campbell 9th Harry Neale Bill LaForge (4-14-2)Harry Neale (21-32-7) Stan Smyl Doug HalwardRick Lanz 284 401 Pacific Coliseum 11,147 Tony Tanti (39) Patrik Sundstrom (43) Patrik Sundstrom (68) Garth Butcher (152) Richard Brodeur (16) Richard Brodeur (4.67) The 1984–85 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 15th in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Canucks did not qualify for the playoffs for the first time since the 1977–78 season. 2 Offseason On May 18, Bill LaForge was announced as the new head coach.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64844562/bill-laforge-named-coach-of-vancouver/ LaForge named Canucks' coach 19 May 1984 Star-Phoenix 7 December 2020 Canadian Press Saskatoon, SK D9 Newspapers.com 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64891455/laforge-plans-a-phd-philosophy-for/ LaForge plans a 'Ph.D' philosophy for Canucks 23 May 1984 Bennington Banner 8 December 2020 United Press International Bennington, Vermont 12 Newspapers.com Having played the majority of the previous season with the team's minor-league affiliate, centre Gerry Minor was not offered a new contract.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65932399/no-draft-deals-for-neale/ No draft deals for Neale 24 May 1984 The Vancouver Sun 24 December 2020 Vancouver Sun staff Vancouver, BC D3 Newspapers.com 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65931964/last-contract-for-snepsts/ Last contract for Snepsts? 30 May 1984 The Vancouver Sun 24 December 2020 Vancouver Sun staff Vancouver, BC C3 Newspapers.com 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65931322/lars-molin-retirescanucks-raise/ Molin retires; Canucks raise ticket prices 30 May 1984 Star-Phoenix 24 December 2020 Star-Phoenix staff Saskatoon, SK D9 Newspapers.com 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65930662/1984-nhl-entry-draft/ 1984 NHL Entry Draft 10 June 1984 Calgary Herald 24 December 2020 Canadian Press Calgary, AB page F6 Newspapers.com On June 22, the club announced that veteran forward Al MacAdam had been acquired from the North Stars for future considerations.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64935872/al-macadam-traded-to-vancouver-canucks/ Stars' MacAdam traded to Canucks 22 June 1984 Star Tribune 9 December 2020 Star Tribune staff Minneapolis 1D Newspapers.com 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64896628/harold-snepsts-traded-to-minnesota-for/ Snepsts now Minnesota property 23 June 1984 The Vancouver Sun 9 December 2020 Vancouver Sun staff Vancouver, BC B3 Newspapers.com After neck problems had plagued him during the previous season, Darcy Rota underwent spinal fusion surgery on June 29.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65932810/can-neale-hook-any-more-fans/ Can Neale hook any more fans? 18 July 1984 The Vancouver Sun 24 December 2020 Vancouver Sun staff Vancouver, BC C2 Newspapers.com 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65939272/arthur-griffiths-didnt-want-me/ 'Arthur Griffiths didnt want me' – Williams 8 August 1984 The Vancouver Sun 24 December 2020 Vancouver Sun staff Vancouver, BC D4 Newspapers.com Training camp The Canucks held their training camp at the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan, from September 18–21.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64827021/1984-vancouver-canucks-training-camp/ Will Neale feel warm all over? 18 September 1984 The Province 7 December 2020 Province Staff Vancouver, BC 42 Newspapers.com 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64882218/1984-vancouver-canucks-training-camp/ LaForge going to camp looking for scorers 14 September 1984 The Vancouver Sun 8 December 2020 Vancouver Sun Staff Vancouver, BC C-2 Newspapers.com 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64827021/1984-vancouver-canucks-training-camp/ Will Neale feel warm all over? 18 September 1984 The Province 7 December 2020 Province Staff Vancouver, BC 42 Newspapers.com 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65970125/speed-and-convenience-make-air-canuck/ Speed and convenience make Air Canuck untouchable 26 February 1985 The Vancouver Sun 27 December 2020 Vancouver Sun staff Vancouver, BC C1 Newspapers.com Final standings VAN Record vs. opponents VAN Schedule and results Pre-season The Canucks released their pre-season schedule on June 20, 1984.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64802231/canucks-trio-has-work-to-do/ Canucks trio has work to do 20 June 1984 The province 7 December 2020 Province Staff Reporter Vancouver, BC 55 Newspapers.com background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 5px solid; 1984 preseason y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid; Preseason: 4–5–1 (home: 2–3–0; road: 2–2–1) Game Date Visitor Score Home Decision Attendance Record Recap |- | 1Note1 a aNote1 b b || September 22 || Vancouver || 4–1 || Los Angeles || Kilroy || — || – || |- | 2Note1 b b || September 22 || Vancouver || 5–3 || Los Angeles || Young || 3,958 || 1–0–0 || |- | 3Note1 a aNote1 c c || September 23 || Los Angeles || 4–5 || Vancouver || Grant || — || – || |- | 4Note1 c c || 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 || |- | 9Note1 b b || 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: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black Notes: Note1 a aGame was played by the rookie squad. Note1 b bGame was played at Memorial Arena in Victoria. Note1 c cGame was played at Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan. Regular season The Canucks released their regular season schedule on June 27, 1984.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66120715/1984-85-vancouver-canucks-schedule/ Start with Nordiques 28 June 1984 Nanaimo Daily News 27 December 2020 Nanaimo Daily News staff Nanaimo, BC C1 Newspapers.com background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 5px solid; 1984–85 regular season1984-85 Vancouver Canucks Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/VAN/1985_games.html Hockey-Reference.com March 25, 2025 y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid; October Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |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 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid; November Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |12||W||November 3, 1984||6–4 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1984–85) ||2–10–0 |- |13||T||November 7, 1984||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1984–85) ||2–10–1 |- |14||L||November 9, 1984||5–7 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1984–85) ||2–11–1 |- |15||T||November 10, 1984||5–5 OT|| align="left"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1984–85) ||2–11–2 |- |16||L||November 12, 1984||3–5 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1984–85) ||2–12–2 |- |17||W||November 14, 1984||3–2 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1984–85) ||3–12–2 |- |18||W||November 16, 1984||7–6 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1984–85) ||4–12–2 |- |19||L||November 17, 1984||0–7 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1984–85) ||4–13–2 |- |20||L||November 20, 1984||1–5 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1984–85) ||4–14–2 |- |21||L||November 21, 1984||4–6 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1984–85) ||4–15–2 |- |22||L||November 23, 1984||1–5 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1984–85) ||4–16–2 |- |23||L||November 25, 1984||2–4 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1984–85) ||4–17–2 |- |24||L||November 27, 1984||1–6 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1984–85) ||4–18–2 |- |25||L||November 29, 1984||1–12 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1984–85) ||4–19–2 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid; December Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |26||L||December 1, 1984||3–6 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1984–85) ||4–20–2 |- |27||L||December 3, 1984||4–5 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1984–85) ||4–21–2 |- |28||W||December 8, 1984||3–2 OT|| align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1984–85) ||5–21–2 |- |29||W||December 11, 1984||4–3 || align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1984–85) ||6–21–2 |- |30||W||December 13, 1984||5–4 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1984–85) ||7–21–2 |- |31||L||December 15, 1984||1–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1984–85) ||7–22–2 |- |32||T||December 16, 1984||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1984–85) ||7–22–3 |- |33||L||December 20, 1984||1–9 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1984–85) ||7–23–3 |- |34||W||December 21, 1984||3–1 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1984–85) ||8–23–3 |- |35||L||December 23, 1984||4–5 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1984–85) ||8–24–3 |- |36||T||December 26, 1984||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1984–85) ||8–24–4 |- |37||L||December 28, 1984||4–7 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1984–85) ||8–25–4 |- |38||T||December 30, 1984||7–7 OT|| align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1984–85) ||8–25–5 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid; January Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |39||L||January 2, 1985||0–6 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1984–85) ||8–26–5 |- |40||W||January 3, 1985||6–4 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1984–85) ||9–26–5 |- |41||W||January 5, 1985||4–1 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1984–85) ||10–26–5 |- |42||L||January 8, 1985||3–5 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1984–85) ||10–27–5 |- |43||L||January 9, 1985||4–7 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1984–85) ||10–28–5 |- |44||L||January 13, 1985||3–5 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1984–85) ||10–29–5 |- |45||W||January 15, 1985||6–5 OT|| align="left"| New York Islanders (1984–85) ||11–29–5 |- |46||T||January 18, 1985||4–4 OT|| align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1984–85) ||11–29–6 |- |47||L||January 19, 1985||5–7 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1984–85) ||11–30–6 |- |48||T||January 21, 1985||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Calgary Flames (1984–85) ||11–30–7 |- |49||L||January 23, 1985||4–6 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1984–85) ||11–31–7 |- |50||W||January 25, 1985||7–4 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1984–85) ||12–31–7 |- |51||L||January 26, 1985||2–6 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1984–85) ||12–32–7 |- |52||W||January 30, 1985||5–4 OT|| align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1984–85) ||13–32–7 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid; February Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |53||W||February 1, 1985||4–3 OT|| align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1984–85) ||14–32–7 |- |54||W||February 3, 1985||4–1 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1984–85) ||15–32–7 |- |55||L||February 6, 1985||0–4 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1984–85) ||15–33–7 |- |56||T||February 8, 1985||5–5 OT|| align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1984–85) ||15–33–8 |- |57||W||February 10, 1985||5–3 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1984–85) ||16–33–8 |- |58||W||February 16, 1985||3–2 OT|| align="left"| Boston Bruins (1984–85) ||17–33–8 |- |59||W||February 19, 1985||7–5 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1984–85) ||18–33–8 |- |60||L||February 21, 1985||2–6 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1984–85) ||18–34–8 |- |61||L||February 23, 1985||5–7 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1984–85) ||18–35–8 |- |62||L||February 26, 1985||2–3 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1984–85) ||18–36–8 |- |63||L||February 27, 1985||5–11 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1984–85) ||18–37–8 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid; March Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |64||L||March 2, 1985||0–5 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1984–85) ||18–38–8 |- |65||W||March 3, 1985||7–6 OT|| align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1984–85) ||19–38–8 |- |66||L||March 6, 1985||3–6 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1984–85) ||19–39–8 |- |67||W||March 8, 1985||4–3 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1984–85) ||20–39–8 |- |68||W||March 10, 1985||6–3 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1984–85) ||21–39–8 |- |69||W||March 13, 1985||6–4 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1984–85) ||22–39–8 |- |70||L||March 15, 1985||5–6 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1984–85) ||22–40–8 |- |71||L||March 17, 1985||4–6 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1984–85) ||22–41–8 |- |72||W||March 20, 1985||5–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1984–85) ||23–41–8 |- |73||W||March 21, 1985||3–2 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1984–85) ||24–41–8 |- |74||L||March 23, 1985||4–6 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1984–85) ||24–42–8 |- |75||L||March 25, 1985||3–5 || align="left"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1984–85) ||24–43–8 |- |76||L||March 27, 1985||3–5 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1984–85) ||24–44–8 |- |77||W||March 31, 1985||3–2 || align="left"| Minnesota North Stars (1984–85) ||25–44–8 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid; April Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |78||L||April 3, 1985||3–5 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1984–85) ||25–45–8 |- |79||L||April 5, 1985||3–4 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1984–85) ||25–46–8 |- |80||T||April 6, 1985||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1984–85) ||25–46–9 |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black Draft picks Vancouver's draft picks at the 1984 NHL entry draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal. Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)110J. J. DaigneaultCanadaLongueuil Chevaliers (QMJHL)231Jeff RohlicekUnited StatesPortland Winter Hawks (WHL)352David SaundersCanadaSt. Lawrence University (ECAC)355Landis ChaulkCanadaCalgary Wranglers (WHL)358Mike StevensCanadaKitchener Rangers (OHL)473Brian BertuzziCanadaKamloops Jr. Oilers (WHL)594Brett MacDonaldCanadaNorth Bay Centennials (OHL)6115Jeff KorchinskiCanadaClarkson College (ECAC)7136Blaine ChrestCanadaPortland Winter Hawks (WHL)8157Jim AgnewCanadaBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)9178Rex GrantCanadaKamloops Jr. Oilers (WHL)10198Ed LowneyUnited StatesBoston University (ECAC)11219Doug ClarkeCanadaColorado College (WCHA)12239Ed KisterCanadaLondon Knights (OHL) Farm teams Fredericton Express (AHL) See also 1984–85 NHL season References Category:Vancouver Canucks seasons Vancouver C Vancouver Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks