Canucks legend Stan Smyl has left the team
After 45 years of service, The Steamer is making a change.
HockeyFeed
The Vancouver Canucks announced today that legendary forward turned executive Stan Smyl is transitioning out of his day to day activities and will no longer be making player personnel decision for the team.
After 45 years as a Canuck, it's time for The Steamer to take some time for himself.
From the Canucks' press release announcement:
Vancouver, B.C. – After 45 years as a player, coach, senior manager and leader within the Vancouver Canucks Hockey Operations department, Stan Smyl has decided to transition from his day-to-day duties, but will remain involved with the club.
Smyl, often referred to as the ‘heart and soul’ of the Canucks organization, will remain a community and business ambassador with the club. In this role, he will represent the Canucks across a broad range of community and business-based activities, events and will continue to support the Canucks for Kids Fund and its beneficiaries.
Smyl joined the organization in 1978 and immediately made an impact on and off the ice. The 8-year captain led the Canucks to the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals and became the first player in franchise history to have his number retired.
His 45 consecutive years with the club makes him the longest serving player/employee in franchise history. Smyl has been a member of the Canucks organization for parts of the past six decades.
“When I moved to Vancouver in 1978, I could not have imagined the positive journey it would become over the next 40-plus years,” said Smyl. “This team and community have meant everything to me and my family. We are truly grateful for all of the relationships and experiences we have shared together.”
“Stan is a role model for every hockey player past and present,” said Canucks President of Business Operations, Michael Doyle. “He has committed his life to his team and his community, and we are fortunate that he will remain an ambassador for the organization going forward.”
Smyl has worked in a number of roles with the team since retiring from play back in 1991. He's been a scout, a coach, a manager and just about everything in between. If the Canucks needed a more for any job, they knew they could always count on Smyl. Here's hoping the 65 year old all the best in his retirement.
