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Early Hockey Traditions Of The Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have a rich history dating back to the early 1900′s and several predecessor teams. This area of British Columbia boasts a strong ice hockey tradition and fan base that loves their local team. The story of professional hockey’s early years in Vancouver is an interesting look at how this tradition began.
The hockey craze headed west in 1911 with the formation of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA). This was a result of efforts by the entrepreneurial Patrick family to promote hockey in western cities. They built arenas and helped form teams, including the Vancouver Millionaires. The Patricks actively recruited players from the National Hockey Association (NHA) to enhance their teams. One of the era’s early stars named Cyclone Taylor came from the NHA and found a home in Vancouver.
Many people wonder how the franchise selected its unique name. An even earlier team in the area was called the Creamery Kings and when they became the new franchise, several players were paid exorbitant salaries up to $5,200, or at least they were excessive at the time. These high numbers led to the team being called the Millionaires.
The two leagues later entered into an arrangement where their respective champions each year would play for the Stanley Cup. Within the first year of this agreement, the Millionaires won their league and went on to defeat the Ottawa Senators in the final Cup series.
Two stars of this championship team were Cyclone Taylor and PCHA entrepreneur Frank Patrick who led their team to a rout. They swept the Senators in three games and the games were hardly close. At the time, the Cup had never traveled that far west. To date, this is the only Cup residing in Vancouver even considering the current Canucks franchise.
The Millionaires maintained their winning ways in following years. They made the Stanley Cup final three more times but did not win the championship on any of those attempts. The Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) formed in 1921 and the Millionaires changed their name to the Maroons. The two western leagues agreed that their champs would play for advancement to the Stanley Cup final each year. Although the Maroons won the PCHA league two more times, they were not able to advance past the WCHL champions either time.
The Maroons were unable to continue their championship form in later years. Once the PCHA disbanded, Vancouver played in the WCHL for a time before the franchise was finally abandoned in 1926. This winning tradition has not been forgotten by Canucks fans, however. The Millionaires classic logo has been revived in a line of sporting apparel. The Canucks have also worn the old logo on team jerseys occasionally.
The tradition of hockey surrounding the Vancouvewr Canucks has produced many great players and exciting moments, especially with the early championship teams. What an exciting atmosphere it must have been back when the early teams were competing and winning. This strong heritage continues today as fans cheer for their team and look to the future for another Stanley Cup.
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