Stan Smyl : Ask Biography

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Stanley Philip Smyl (born January 28, 1958) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger. As a junior, he appeared in three consecutive Memorial Cups with the New Westminster Bruins, winning the championship twice in 1977 and 1978. He was selected 40th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft and went on to play his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career with the team until his retirement in 1991.

Nicknamed "Steamer" by Bellingham Blazer fans for his relentless and hard-nosed style of play, he served as captain for a team record eight seasons. He retired as the Canucks' all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points � all of which have been since surpassed by Trevor Linden and Markus Naslund. His assist record was also passed by Henrik Sedin. Smyl's number 12 was the first retired number in Canucks' history, as it was raised to the Pacific Coliseum rafters in 1991. It now hangs with Trevor Linden's number 16 and Markus Naslund's number 19 at Rogers Arena.

The end of his playing career coincided with the beginning of a 13-year coaching career, serving as an assistant with the Canucks and a head coach with the club's minor league affiliates: the Syracuse Crunch, Kansas City Blades and Manitoba Moose. Upon being let go as coach of the Moose, he was re-assigned to the Canucks' front office where he has served as Director of Player Development and Director of Collegiate Scouting, before being appointed his current role as Senior Advisor on Hockey Operations to General Manager Mike Gillis.