NHL History: Vancouver Canucks Stan Smyl announces retirement today in 1991

It was 29 years ago today that Vancouver Canucks legend Stan Smyl announced his retirement from the NHL and was subsequently named assistant coach of the team.

Taken by Vancouver in the third round of the 1978 draft, Smyl spent his entire 13-year career with the Canucks. Upon his retirement, Smyl was the Canucks leader in games played (896), goals (262), assists (411) and points (673), records that have all since been broken.

Smyl joined the Canucks in 1978-79 scoring 14 goals and 38 points in 62 games and quickly doubled his point total in the next year.

His best season for the Canucks came when the then 25-year-old scored 38 goals and 88 points in 74 games in 1982-83. Smyl’s number 12 was quickly retired by the Canucks.

He’s gone on to have a long career in the Canucks organization post-retirement. He worked as an assistant coach between 1991 and 1999, before spending five years coaching in the AHL and IHL.

He rejoined Vancouver in 2005 and has served as a senior advisor and director of player development in the time since.

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