This week 50 years ago (Dec. 12), Orland Kurtenbach scored the first hat trick in Vancouver Canucks history.

The only one of his career, Kurtenbach scored three goals in a 5-3 victory over the California Golden Seals. The Canucks legend went on to score 21 goals and 53 points in 52 games in Vancouver’s inaugural NHL campaign.

He played three more years with the Canucks before retiring from playing after a 13-year career. But years later, he returned as a head coach for the club standing behind the bench in 1976-77 and 77-78.

Kurtenbach coached the Canucks to a 36-62-27 record.

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