Vancouver by no means has a storied sports history like Boston or New York. However, we have had our moments. Here are our sports achievements, part of Vancouver 125.
55. Vancouver Millionaires Stanley Cup Win (1914-1915)
Yes, it’s often overlooked. Vancouver has won a Stanley Cup. In the 1914-1915 season, the Vancouver Millionaires defeated the Ottawa Senators in Denman Arena to win the Stanley Cup. The team was led by legend Cyclone Taylor.
54. Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup Run (1982)
Stan Smyl led the Canucks to the Stanley Cup finals in 1982, who were sweeped by the Islanders led by legend Mike Bossy. This was the year of Roger Neilson’s infamous white towel incident, in where questionable officiating made the Canucks want to “surrender” by waving white towels on the bench. It is now a tradition each playoffs for Canucks fans to wave white towels, and has been emulated by sports arenas throughout North America. Over 100,000 people showed up for a parade to show appreciation of the run.
53. Vancouver Whitecaps Open BC Place Stadium (1983)
The Whitecaps had the pleasure of being the first sports team to play in BC Place Stadium. Attendance of 60,342 to watch the first game vs the Seattle Sounders is the largest number to watch a club soccer game in Canada. BC Place opened up an array of opportunities for sports teams, with the primary focus being to attract a MLB team which still has yet to materialize. Aquilinis, please?
52. Pavel Bure (1991-1998)
Pavel Bure (“Russian Rocket”) was the single most exciting and electrifying athlete to ever play in Vancouver. Enough said. Check out the video tribute. And it wasn’t his fault he left.
51. Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup Run (1994)
The 1994 run was a magical experience. The Canucks were led by a young Trevor Linden in an improbable journey to the Cup final. The Canucks lost in Game 7 to the New York Rangers. Along with Linden, the run marked amazing play from Pavel Bure and Kirk McLean amongst others. The loss ignited one of the most famous riots in sports history. There was much vandalism and buffoonery on Vancouver streets and “city jails [were] overflowing.”
50. Lui Passaglia Grey Cup winning kick (1994)
This was the kick that was heard all over Canada. The BC Lions defeated Baltimore to keep the Grey Cup in our nation. With 0 seconds to go on the clock, Lui Passaglia made the championship-winning kick!
49. Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-2001)
Although the Grizzlies sucked, really bad, they brought basketball to the Vancouver masses. After winning their first two games, it was all downhill from then on. “Big Country” Bryant Reeves was signed to over $10 million per year for 6 years. His favourite move was dribbling the ball off his toe. With that being said, basketball fans miss the Grizzlies, even if that meant watching other teams play here (i.e. Jordan and the Bulls).
48. Westcoast Express Line (2002-2005)
Consisting of Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison, and Todd Bertuzzi, the “Westcoast Express” was the most exciting and highest scoring line in hockey of its years. It was a unique combination of pure skill and size.
47. World Junior Ice Hockey Championships (2006)
GM Place (now Rogers Arena) was rocking as Canada defeated Russia 5-0 in the Final of the World Juniors in 2006. Tournament games were also played in Kelowna and Kamloops and it was the tournament was the highest attending in its history.
46. Vancouver Giants Memorial Cup Win in Vancouver (2007)
The Vancouver Giants became the best junior team in North America in 2007 after winning the championship on Vancouver soil. NHL Alumni from that year include, Evander Kane, Milan Lucic and Cody Franson.
45. Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games (2010)
Listing all the sports stories of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games would dominate the entire Vancouver 125 list. So we have no choice but to group them all together into one mega entry! Check out one of the many videos, a tribute to our athletes.
Come back next Monday for another addition to the series!
Image Credits: Vancouver Millionaires, Roger Neilson white towel, Whitecaps Sounders BC Place, Lui Passaglia Grey Cup, Bryant Reeves Grizzlies, West Coast Express, Canadian Women Hockey
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