1971-1972: A STEP BACKWARDS
Unfortunately, finishing third-to-last in the standings meant that the Canucks would not be able to pick star juniors Guy Lafleur or Marcel Dionne in the Amateur Draft. Montreal traded for California's first pick and chose Lafleur, while Detroit picked Dionne. With the third pick, the Canucks dipped into the bumper crop in Quebec, picking D Jocelyn Guevremont from Montreal of the OHA. In the intra-league draft (fore-runner to the waiver draft), the Canucks picked up skilled D Dennis Kearns from the Chicago organization, who had no NHL experience. The second season was a step backward of sorts. The team seemed to find scoring goals more difficult than in year one, with production from almost all of their top scorers dropping. Rosaire Paiement, who had a terrific campaign the previous season, found himself unable to score at all. After a 34-goal season, Rosie only scored 10 this season, prompting him to seek the help of world-famous hypnotist Reveen at one point. Even when their goaltender recorded a rare shutout, two points were no guarantee. On October 27 at Maple Leaf Gardens, Dunc Wilson of the Canucks and Bernie Parent of Toronto each shut out their opponents in a 0-0 tie. The Canucks would not be involved in another for 26 years. It was the first shutout in Canucks history and the only time they shut out the opposition all season, while being blanked 12 times by opposing teams. If there had been any prior doubt, a 10-game winless streak in late February/early March (0-9-1) would seal the team's fate. The 20 wins and 48 points are still franchise lows for a full season, while the 203 goals scored would not be undercut for 27 more seasons. Through 29 NHL seasons, 1971-72 is still the only season in which the Canucks finished dead last in the league. Andre Boudrias was the only Canuck to reach 60 points (61), while Orland Kurtenbach and the rookie Guevremont tied for second with 51 each.
|
