The 1997–98 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 28th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). After missing the playoffs the season before, the team responded by signing Mark Messier to a three-year contract. The signing of Messier did little to improve the team, however, as they finished even worse than the year before, costing Head Coach Tom Renney and General Manager Pat Quinn their jobs. For the first time in NHL history, regular season games were played outside of North America, with the Canucks playing the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in Tokyo, Japan, to open up the regular season. Pavel Bure became the last Canuck to score 50 or more goals in a season. On April 9, 1998, the Canucks scored three short-handed goals in a 6–3 road win over the Calgary Flames.
In addition, the team introduced a new logo that would stay in use since its debut, with minor colour alterations.
The team was the last in NHL history to record over 2,000 penalty minutes, with 2,148.
Off-season Forward Trevor Linden resigned the team captaincy, in favour of new arrival Mark Messier.
Regular season The Canucks finished the regular season with the most power-play opportunities against, with 432. Although the Canucks allowed the most goals in the League, with 273, they scored the most short-handed goals, with 19.
All-Star Game
The 48th National Hockey League All-Star Game took place at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, home to the Vancouver Canucks, on January 18, 1998.
The International Showdown The 48th game was held in the very same year as the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, providing the NHL to show its players from all over the world. To this extent, the NHL had the All-Star teams consist of a team of North Americans playing against a team of stars from the rest of the world. The format change also helped to intensify the game, as national pride would also become a factor. These provisions only applied to the players — coaches would still be selected based on which teams were the best from each conference at the time of the break.
Final standings
Schedule and results
|1||October 3, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) ||1–0–0 ||
|2||October 4, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) ||1–1–0 ||
|3||October 9, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) ||1–1–1 ||
|4||October 11, 1997||3–6 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1997–98) ||1–2–1 ||
|5||October 13, 1997||3–0 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) ||2–2–1 ||
|6||October 17, 1997||0–2 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||2–3–1 ||
|7||October 19, 1997||4–4 OT|| align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||2–3–2 ||
|8||October 21, 1997||5–1 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) ||3–3–2 ||
|9||October 23, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1997–98) ||3–4–2 ||
|10||October 25, 1997||2–3 OT|| align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) ||3–5–2 ||
|11||October 26, 1997||1–5 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) ||3–6–2 ||
|12||October 29, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) ||3–7–2 ||
|13||October 30, 1997||1–8 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||3–8–2 || |- | colspan="7" style="text-align:center;"| Notes: At Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
|14||November 1, 1997||6–7 OT|| align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) ||3–9–2 ||
|15||November 3, 1997||3–5 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||3–10–2 ||
|16||November 4, 1997||1–2 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||3–11–2 ||
|17||November 8, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) ||3–12–2 ||
|18||November 11, 1997||2–8 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||3–13–2 ||
|19||November 12, 1997||5–2 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||4–13–2 ||
|20||November 14, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) ||4–13–3 ||
|21||November 16, 1997||4–1 || align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||5–13–3 ||
|22||November 20, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) ||6–13–3 ||
|23||November 22, 1997||4–5 OT|| align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) ||6–14–3 ||
|24||November 25, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1997–98) ||7–14–3 ||
|25||November 28, 1997||5–2 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||8–14–3 ||
|26||November 29, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) ||9–14–3 ||
|27||December 1, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) ||9–14–4 ||
|28||December 4, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||9–15–4 ||
|29||December 6, 1997||4–6 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||9–16–4 ||
|30||December 8, 1997||1–5 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1997–98) ||9–17–4 ||
|31||December 9, 1997||5–7 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) ||9–18–4 ||
|32||December 13, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||9–19–4 ||
|33||December 15, 1997||7–0 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||10–19–4 ||
|34||December 17, 1997||5–1 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) ||11–19–4 ||
|35||December 18, 1997||0–0 OT|| align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||11–19–5 ||
|36||December 20, 1997||0–5 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) ||11–20–5 ||
|37||December 23, 1997||1–3 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (1997–98) ||11–21–5 ||
|38||December 27, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) ||11–21–6 ||
|39||December 29, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||11–22–6 ||
|40||December 31, 1997||0–8 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||11–23–6 ||
|41||January 3, 1998||2–4 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||11–24–6 ||
|42||January 5, 1998||3–2 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||12–24–6 ||
|43||January 7, 1998||2–3 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1997–98) ||12–25–6 ||
|44||January 8, 1998||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||12–25–7 ||
|45||January 10, 1998||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||12–25–8 ||
|46||January 12, 1998||2–3 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) ||12–26–8 ||
|47||January 14, 1998||0–4 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) ||12–27–8 ||
|48||January 15, 1998||2–6 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||12–28–8 ||
|49||January 21, 1998||1–6 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) ||12–29–8 ||
|50||January 24, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) ||12–30–8 ||
|51||January 26, 1998||2–4 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) ||12–31–8 ||
|52||January 28, 1998||1–6 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||12–32–8 ||
|53||January 30, 1998||3–1 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||13–32–8 ||
|54||January 31, 1998||6–3 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) ||14–32–8 ||
|55||February 2, 1998||1–2 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||14–33–8 ||
|56||February 6, 1998||5–4 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) ||15–33–8 ||
|57||February 7, 1998||6–3 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||16–33–8 ||
|58||February 25, 1998||5–2 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) ||17–33–8 ||
|59||February 27, 1998||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) ||17–33–9 ||
|60||February 28, 1998||6–4 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||18–33–9 ||
|61||March 2, 1998||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||18–33–10 ||
|62||March 5, 1998||2–6 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1997–98) ||18–34–10 ||
|63||March 7, 1998||5–2 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) ||19–34–10 ||
|64||March 9, 1998||0–4 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1997–98) ||19–35–10 ||
|65||March 11, 1998||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||19–35–11 ||
|66||March 12, 1998||2–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||19–36–11 ||
|67||March 14, 1998||6–2 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1997–98) ||20–36–11 ||
|68||March 17, 1998||4–2 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||21–36–11 ||
|69||March 18, 1998||2–4 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) ||21–37–11 ||
|70||March 20, 1998||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||21–37–12 ||
|71||March 21, 1998||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) ||21–37–13 ||
|72||March 24, 1998||4–3 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1997–98) ||22–37–13 ||
|73||March 26, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||22–38–13 ||
|74||March 28, 1998||2–3 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||22–39–13 ||
|75||April 1, 1998||4–2 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) ||23–39–13 ||
|76||April 4, 1998||5–3 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (1997–98) ||24–39–13 ||
|77||April 6, 1998||2–3 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) ||24–40–13 ||
|78||April 9, 1998||6–3 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) ||25–40–13 ||
|79||April 11, 1998||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||25–40–14 ||
|80||April 15, 1998||0–2 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||25–41–14 ||
|81||April 17, 1998||2–4 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1997–98) ||25–42–14 ||
|82||April 19, 1998||1–2 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) ||25–43–14 ||
Legend:
Player statistics
Scoring Position abbreviations: C = Centre; D = Defence; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only. = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only. Player Regular season 10 RW 82 51 39 90 5 48 11 C 82 22 38 60 −10 58 89 RW 51 18 27 45 −6 36 19 LW 76 14 20 34 5 56 21 D 74 9 21 30 −25 34 2 D 77 7 23 30 3 76 3 D 71 3 24 27 3 79 28 RW 82 10 15 25 −19 62 20 C 76 13 11 24 −4 165 16 RW 42 7 14 21 −13 49 26 C 48 10 9 19 −14 34 8 LW 77 9 9 18 −9 372 22 C 25 5 12 17 13 2 27 LW 22 6 9 15 2 63 4 D 39 2 13 15 −2 14 24 C 59 3 10 13 −8 164 9 LW 27 9 3 12 0 41 23 D 26 1 11 12 10 64 44 D 47 0 9 9 −11 37 23 LW 24 4 4 8 −6 10 5 D 31 5 2 7 −3 42 25 RW 77 3 4 7 −3 134 6 D 35 3 3 6 −4 21 48 LW 30 2 4 6 2 24 29 LW 35 3 2 5 −3 181 14 RW 31 2 1 3 −9 4 36 D 36 1 2 3 −12 106 18 LW 9 0 3 3 −1 4 7 LW 13 1 1 2 −1 4 9 C 5 1 1 2 −2 2 26 C 7 0 2 2 0 0 1 G 16 0 1 1 14 39 D 13 0 1 1 −2 47 7 D 7 0 1 1 2 0 34 D 11 0 1 1 −3 29 22 LW 11 0 0 0 −7 5 31 G 1 0 0 0 0 32 G 41 0 0 0 2 1 G 29 0 0 0 0 30 G 12 0 0 0 4 27 D 5 0 0 0 −2 6
Goaltending = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only. = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only. Player Regular season 32 Arturs Irbe 41 14 11 6 982 91 2.73 .907 2 1999 1 Kirk McLean 29 6 17 4 800 97 3.68 .879 1 1583 30 Garth Snow 12 3 6 0 262 26 3.09 .901 0 504 1 Sean Burke 16 2 9 4 396 49 3.51 .876 0 838 31 Corey Hirsch 1 0 0 0 34 5 6.05 .853 0 50
Awards and records
Awards TypeAward/honourRecipientRef League(annual) NHL All-Rookie Team Mattias Ohlund (Defence) League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Pavel Bure Mark Messier Team Babe Pratt Trophy Mattias OhlundVancouver Canucks 2016–17 Media Guide, p. 249 Cyclone Taylor Trophy Pavel Bure Cyrus H. McLean Trophy Pavel Bure Fred J. Hume Award Brian NoonanVancouver Canucks 2016–17 Media Guide, p. 250 Molson Cup Pavel Bure2015–16 Vancouver Canucks Media Guide, p. 217 Most Exciting Player Award Pavel Bure
Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Mattias Ohlund October 3, 1997 Dave Scatchard Lubomir Vaic October 30, 1997 Chris McAllister November 1, 1997 Bert Robertsson November 8, 1997 500th game played Kirk McLean October 19, 1997
Transactions
Trades