As a high-school student, I'd read about the Canucks in the paper and see loss after loss pile up. In fact, in the school-yard, we'd flip a quarter to see if the Canucks would win or lose. The magic of '82 under the guiding hand of Roger Nielson had long since faded into the depths of time.
We desperately needed to right this foundering ship and the Griffiths family looked to Pat Quinn in 1987. It was an all-out effort to get someone who could construct the type of hockey team that Vancouver fans were wanting to see. But Quinn was then coaching the Los Angeles Kings and the resultant contract by the Canucks on Pat Quinn's services ran Griffiths and Quinn afoul of the NHL head office. Threats of charges of tampering were thrown about and the LA Kings threatened a review of the contract. This led to Pat Quinn being suspended for the rest of the season as he couldn't conceivably coach for the Kings while undertaking a contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
The first trade that he made was to pack off Patrik Sundstrom and two picks to the New Jersey Devils for Kirk McLean, Greg Adams and a pick who would later be Leif Rohlin (1988 Entry Draft). The backstopper affectionately named Captain Kirk would be an integral piece in the 1994 Stanley Cup run. In the 1988 Entry Draft, The Canucks picked second and they selected a young Medicine Hat kid named Trevor Linden. Then an year later in the 6th round, they selected a young Soviet phenom named Pavel Bure. These players would become the cornerstones of the franchise in 94 with the additions of players like Cliff Ronning, Geoff Courtnall, Bret Hedican, Nathan Lafayette and Jeff Brown. Trevor Linden would be named the youngest captain of the team upon Stan Smyl's retirement and fill those shoes he did as did Quinn's trust in him to lead the team.
Almost twenty years later, the same young man that Pat Quinn had drafted as President of Hockey Operations and General Manager would step into Quinn's shoes and begin his Canuck front office executive career as the Canucks President of Hockey Operations.
He was remembered in April 2014 as a builder and a great leader by Canucks management and his #3 was placed in the Ring of Honour.
...and on Sunday, November 23, 2014, we lost a great man and forever a Vancouver Canuck. Sandra Quinn and Pat's family have asked for privacy at this sensitive time and the media and the fans will respect that. All we know was that Pat was fighting a long illness.
His words ring true for anyone following any passion, be it hockey, be it any sport or creative activity.
"I'm not immune to pain, dejection. But I... have a passion, a love, for this. I don't think that ever leaves you."
The most stirring rendition of "Danny Boy" I have ever heard. Packs a powerful punch visually, aurally and emotionally. You're a hard-hearted person if you can watch this without a tear in your eye and a lump in your throat.
Rest in Peace, Big Irishman, Mighty Quinn.
