1997–98 Vancouver Canucks season
NHL hockey team season
The 1997–98 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 28th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). After missing the playoffs the season before, the team responded by signing Mark Messier to a three-year contract. The signing of Messier did little to improve the team, however, as they finished even worse than the year before, costing Head Coach Tom Renney and General Manager Pat Quinn their jobs. For the first time in NHL history, regular season games were played outside of North America, with the Canucks playing the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in Tokyo, Japan, to open up the regular season. Pavel Bure became the last Canuck to score 50 or more goals in a season. On April 9, 1998, the Canucks scored three short-handed goals in a 6–3 road win over the Calgary Flames .[ 1]
In addition, the team introduced a new logo that would stay in use since its debut, with minor colour alterations.
The team was the last in NHL history to record over 2,000 penalty minutes, with 2,148.[ 2]
Off-season
Forward Trevor Linden resigned the team captaincy, in favour of new arrival Mark Messier .
Regular season
The Canucks finished the regular season with the most power-play opportunities against, with 432. Although the Canucks allowed the most goals in the League, with 273, they scored the most short-handed goals, with 19.[ 3]
All-Star Game
The 48th National Hockey League All-Star Game took place at General Motors Place in Vancouver , British Columbia , home to the Vancouver Canucks, on January 18, 1998.
The International Showdown
The 48th game was held in the very same year as the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano , providing the NHL to show its players from all over the world. To this extent, the NHL had the All-Star teams consist of a team of North Americans playing against a team of stars from the rest of the world. The format change also helped to intensify the game, as national pride would also become a factor. These provisions only applied to the players — coaches would still be selected based on which teams were the best from each conference at the time of the break.
Final standings
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific
bold – Qualified for playoffs; x – Won Division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy
Schedule and results
1997–98 regular season[ 5]
October: 3–8–2 (home: 2–4–2; road: 1–4–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
1[a]
W
October 3, 1997
3–2
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98 )
1–0–0
Recap
2[a]
L
October 4, 1997
2–3
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98 )
1–1–0
Recap
3
T
October 9, 1997
2–2 OT
Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98 )
1–1–1
Recap
4
L
October 11, 1997
3–6
New York Rangers (1997–98 )
1–2–1
Recap
5
W
October 13, 1997
3–0
Edmonton Oilers (1997–98 )
2–2–1
Recap
6
L
October 17, 1997
0–2
Boston Bruins (1997–98 )
2–3–1
Recap
7
T
October 19, 1997
4–4 OT
Colorado Avalanche (1997–98 )
2–3–2
Recap
8
W
October 21, 1997
5–1
@ Dallas Stars (1997–98 )
3–3–2
Recap
9
L
October 23, 1997
1–4
@ St. Louis Blues (1997–98 )
3–4–2
Recap
10
L
October 25, 1997
2–3 OT
Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98 )
3–5–2
Recap
11
L
October 26, 1997
1–5
Detroit Red Wings (1997–98 )
3–6–2
Recap
12
L
October 29, 1997
0–3
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98 )
3–7–2
Recap
13
L
October 30, 1997
1–8
@ New Jersey Devils (1997–98 )
3–8–2
Recap
Notes:
a At Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
November: 6–6–1 (home: 2–2–0; road: 4–4–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
14
L
November 1, 1997
6–7 OT
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98 )
3–9–2
Recap
15
L
November 3, 1997
3–5
@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98 )
3–10–2
Recap
16
L
November 4, 1997
1–2
@ Washington Capitals (1997–98 )
3–11–2
Recap
17
L
November 8, 1997
2–3
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98 )
3–12–2
Recap
18
L
November 11, 1997
2–8
@ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98 )
3–13–2
Recap
19
W
November 12, 1997
5–2
@ San Jose Sharks (1997–98 )
4–13–2
Recap
20
T
November 14, 1997
3–3 OT
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98 )
4–13–3
Recap
21
W
November 16, 1997
4–1
Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98 )
5–13–3
Recap
22
W
November 20, 1997
4–2
Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98 )
6–13–3
Recap
23
L
November 22, 1997
4–5 OT
Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98 )
6–14–3
Recap
24
W
November 25, 1997
4–2
@ New York Rangers (1997–98 )
7–14–3
Recap
25
W
November 28, 1997
5–2
@ Boston Bruins (1997–98 )
8–14–3
Recap
26
W
November 29, 1997
4–2
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98 )
9–14–3
Recap
December: 2–9–3 (home: 1–5–1; road: 1–4–2)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
27
T
December 1, 1997
3–3 OT
Detroit Red Wings (1997–98 )
9–14–4
Recap
28
L
December 4, 1997
2–3
San Jose Sharks (1997–98 )
9–15–4
Recap
29
L
December 6, 1997
4–6
@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98 )
9–16–4
Recap
30
L
December 8, 1997
1–5
@ St. Louis Blues (1997–98 )
9–17–4
Recap
31
L
December 9, 1997
5–7
@ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98 )
9–18–4
Recap
32
L
December 13, 1997
2–5
Colorado Avalanche (1997–98 )
9–19–4
Recap
33
W
December 15, 1997
7–0
Los Angeles Kings (1997–98 )
10–19–4
Recap
34
W
December 17, 1997
5–1
@ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98 )
11–19–4
Recap
35
T
December 18, 1997
0–0 OT
@ San Jose Sharks (1997–98 )
11–19–5
Recap
36
L
December 20, 1997
0–5
Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98 )
11–20–5
Recap
37
L
December 23, 1997
1–3
Dallas Stars (1997–98 )
11–21–5
Recap
38
T
December 27, 1997
3–3 OT
@ Dallas Stars (1997–98 )
11–21–6
Recap
39
L
December 29, 1997
2–5
@ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98 )
11–22–6
Recap
40
L
December 31, 1997
0–8
Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98 )
11–23–6
Recap
January: 3–9–2 (home: 2–3–1; road: 1–6–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
41
L
January 3, 1998
2–4
Montreal Canadiens (1997–98 )
11–24–6
Recap
42
W
January 5, 1998
3–2
Los Angeles Kings (1997–98 )
12–24–6
Recap
43
L
January 7, 1998
2–3
St. Louis Blues (1997–98 )
12–25–6
Recap
44
T
January 8, 1998
4–4 OT
@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98 )
12–25–7
Recap
45
T
January 10, 1998
2–2 OT
Florida Panthers (1997–98 )
12–25–8
Recap
46
L
January 12, 1998
2–3
@ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98 )
12–26–8
Recap
47
L
January 14, 1998
0–4
@ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98 )
12–27–8
Recap
48
L
January 15, 1998
2–6
@ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98 )
12–28–8
Recap
49
L
January 21, 1998
1–6
Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98 )
12–29–8
Recap
50
L
January 24, 1998
2–5
@ Calgary Flames (1997–98 )
12–30–8
Recap
51
L
January 26, 1998
2–4
@ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98 )
12–31–8
Recap
52
L
January 28, 1998
1–6
@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98 )
12–32–8
Recap
53
W
January 30, 1998
3–1
New Jersey Devils (1997–98 )
13–32–8
Recap
54
W
January 31, 1998
6–3
@ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98 )
14–32–8
Recap
February: 4–1–1 (home: 4–1–0; road: 0–0–1)
March: 4–6–4 (home: 2–4–0; road: 2–2–4)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Recap
61
T
March 2, 1998
2–2 OT
@ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98 )
18–33–10
Recap
62
L
March 5, 1998
2–6
Calgary Flames (1997–98 )
18–34–10
Recap
63
W
March 7, 1998
5–2
Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98 )
19–34–10
Recap
64
L
March 9, 1998
0–4
St. Louis Blues (1997–98 )
19–35–10
Recap
65
T
March 11, 1998
2–2 OT
@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98 )
19–35–11
Recap
66
L
March 12, 1998
2–3
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98 )
19–36–11
Recap
67
W
March 14, 1998
6–2
@ New York Islanders (1997–98 )
20–36–11
Recap
68
W
March 17, 1998
4–2
@ Florida Panthers (1997–98 )
21–36–11
Recap
69
L
March 18, 1998
2–4
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98 )
21–37–11
Recap
70
T
March 20, 1998
1–1 OT
@ Ottawa Senators (1997–98 )
21–37–12
Recap
71
T
March 21, 1998
1–1 OT
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98 )
21–37–13
Recap
72
W
March 24, 1998
4–3
New York Islanders (1997–98 )
22–37–13
Recap
73
L
March 26, 1998
2–5
Buffalo Sabres (1997–98 )
22–38–13
Recap
74
L
March 28, 1998
2–3
Washington Capitals (1997–98 )
22–39–13
Recap
April: 3–4–1 (home: 2–3–0; road: 1–1–1)
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
Player statistics
Scoring
Position abbreviations: C = Centre ; D = Defence ; G = Goaltender ; LW = Left Wing ; RW = Right Wing
† = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only.
Goaltending
† = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only.
Awards and records
Awards
Milestones
Milestone
Player
Date
Ref
500th game played
Kirk McLean
October 19, 1997
[ 11]
Transactions
Trades
January 2, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks Sean Burke Geoff Sanderson Enrico Ciccone
To Carolina Hurricanes Kirk McLean Martin Gelinas
February 4, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks conditional 5th round pick in 1998 (Garrett Prosofsky )
To Philadelphia Flyers Mike Sillinger
February 4, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks Brad May 3rd round pick in 1999
To Buffalo Sabres Geoff Sanderson
February 5, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks Peter Zezel
To New Jersey Devils 5th round pick in 1998 (Anton But)
February 6, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks Bryan McCabe Todd Bertuzzi 3rd round pick in 1999 (Jarkko Ruutu )
To New York Islanders Trevor Linden
March 3, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks 8th round pick in 1998 (Graig Mischler)
To Boston Bruins Grant Ledyard
March 4, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks Garth Snow
To Philadelphia Flyers Sean Burke
March 7, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks Brandon Convery
To Toronto Maple Leafs Lonny Bohonos
March 14, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks Jamie Huscroft
To Tampa Bay Lightning Enrico Ciccone
March 23, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks Jason Strudwick
To New York Islanders Gino Odjick
March 24, 1998
To Vancouver Canucks 3rd round pick in 1999 (Justin Morrison )
To Philadelphia Flyers Dave Babych 6th round pick in 1998 (Antero Niittymaki )
Draft picks
Vancouver's picks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania .[ 12]
Notes
^ Commissioner’s selection.
References
^ "Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames Box Score — April 9, 1998" .
^ "Vancouver Canucks 1997-98" . Retrieved January 26, 2012 .
^ "1997-98 NHL Summary" .
^ "1997-1998 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings" . NHL.
^ "1997-98 Vancouver Canucks Schedule" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved July 8, 2023 .
^ "Postseason All-Star Teams" . records.nhl.com . Retrieved July 9, 2023 .
^ "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1998" . NHL.com . Retrieved July 9, 2023 .
^ a b c Vancouver Canucks 2016–17 Media Guide, p. 249
^ a b Vancouver Canucks 2016–17 Media Guide, p. 250
^ 2015–16 Vancouver Canucks Media Guide, p. 217
^ "New York Rangers Official Web-site -- Roster" . New York Rangers . Archived from the original on May 22, 2000. Retrieved July 9, 2023 . 1997-98… Appeared in his 500th career NHL game on Oct. 19 vs. Colorado
^ "1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com" . www.hockeydb.com . Retrieved July 9, 2023 .
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