Vancouver Canucks: 5 greatest head coaches in franchise history

5. Roger Neilson

He may have only spent three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, but Roger Neilson certainly left behind an extremely memorable impression. How many other former NHL head coaches have a statue of themselves right in front of an arena?

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Neilson inadvertently started the “Towel Power” tradition that every NHL team has since mimicked. During a 1982 playoff game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Neilson grew fed up with the controversial officiating and protested by waving a hockey towel around with a stick.

Canucks fans stood by Neilson and began waving white towels for the ensuing home game. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the story behind why you see thousands of screaming fans waving towels during NHL playoff games.

Neilson coached the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Final in 1982, but they were swept by the dynastic New York Islanders. He has a tremendous legacy here in Vancouver, thanks in large part to the towel wave and the ’82 run.

4. Harry Neale

Countless millennials (myself included) spent many years listening to legendary commentator Harry Neale on Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts. You kids may not be aware that Neale also had a successful head coaching career in the World Hockey Assocation, before he became Vancouver’s bench boss for the 1978-79 season.

Neale was also general manager of the Canucks from 1982 to ’85. In his six seasons behind the bench, the Canucks made the postseason four times. Neale was handed a 10-game suspension late in the 1981-82 season after getting into a scuffle with Quebec Nordiques supporters, which prompted Neilson to take over as head coach for the Stanley Cup run.

Neale finished with a 142-189-76 record as Vancouver’s head coach.