NHL History: 25 years ago today, Vancouver Canucks acquire Alexander Mogilny

One of the biggest acquisitions in Vancouver Canucks history happened 25 years ago today. It was at that draft in Edmonton that the team acquired Alexander Mogilny.

Mogilny was acquired along with a 1995 5th round pick (Todd Norman) in exchange for Michael Peca, Mike Wilson and Vancouver’s 1st round pick in 1995, used to select Jay McKee.

And in Vancouver, Mogilny’s impact was immediately felt. In his first year, he scored 55 goals and 107 points in 79 games. He led the Canucks in all three offensive categories as the Canucks earned third place in the Pacific Division and a first-round matchup with the Colorado Avalanche.

While Vancouver had one of the league’s top scorers that year, they struggled against the second-best team in the NHL and the eventual Cup winners in the Avs.

Colorado, loaded with talent up front in Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg with Patrick Roy in net, dispatched the Canucks in six games.

Mogilny spent just under four more seasons with the Canucks before he was traded to the New Jersey Devils for Brendan Morrison and Denis Pederson.

He finished his time in Vancouver having scored 139 goals and 308 points in 312 games.

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