With the 2024-25 NHL season approaching as quick as molasses. The team at CanucksArmy is taking a trip through the Vancouver Canucks books history and building Vancouver’s Mount Rushmore for each player position. Today, we’re starting with the goalies.
Richard Brodeur (with VAN 1980-1988)
Richard “King Richard” Brodeur is a name that brings fond memories to Vancouver Canucks fans. Known for his acrobatic saves and grit, Brodeur is most famous for backstopping the Canucks during their incredible 1982 Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final. But his journey to NHL stardom was anything but straightforward.
Born and raised in Quebec, Brodeur stood out in street and backyard hockey before making his mark in the World Hockey Association (WHA). After being drafted by the New York Islanders in 1972, Brodeur opted to stay in Quebec, joining the Nordiques in the WHA. There, he had a stellar career, including a championship win in 1977. His 165 WHA wins still rank among the league’s best, and he set a record for 44 victories in the 1975-76 season.
When the WHA folded, Brodeur was traded to the Islanders but found himself buried behind future Hall of Famers Billy Smith and Chico Resch. He appeared in just two NHL games before being dealt to the Canucks in 1980 — a trade that would change his career. Vancouver acquired Brodeur for what was essentially a fifth-round pick, one of the most lopsided deals in Canucks history.
In Vancouver, Brodeur found his groove. He quickly became the team’s No. 1 goalie and helped the struggling franchise find stability between the pipes. Brodeur’s finest moment came during the 1982 playoffs, where he earned his nickname “King Richard.” He led the Canucks on an improbable run to the Stanley Cup Finals, compiling an 11-6 record with a 2.70 goals-against average (GAA). The Canucks were eventually swept by the dynastic New York Islanders, but Brodeur’s heroic play remains a cherished memory for Canucks fans.
Brodeur’s career in Vancouver spanned nearly eight seasons, during which he earned MVP honours (Cyclone Taylor Trophy) three times and was named to the 1983 All-Star Game (although he missed it due to injury). Despite facing offensive juggernauts like Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers and Lanny McDonald’s Flames in the high-scoring Smythe Division, Brodeur kept the Canucks competitive, often single-handedly keeping them in games.
By the late 1980s, with a young Kirk McLean emerging, Brodeur was traded to the Hartford Whalers, ending his NHL career in 1989. He finished his tenure with 126 wins, placing him third all-time in Canucks history, behind only Roberto Luongo and McLean.
Off the ice, Brodeur was an artist at heart. After retiring, he turned his focus to painting, specializing in nostalgic folk art scenes of Canadian childhood hockey memories. His artwork, celebrated for its charm and vibrancy, became as much a part of his legacy as his on-ice heroics.
Though his stats may not leap off the page, Brodeur’s legacy is cemented in Vancouver’s hockey lore as a goalie who embodied resilience, heart, and the ability to shine when it mattered most. King Richard will always reign in the hearts of Canucks fans.
Kirk McLean (with VAN 1987-1996)
You simply can’t talk about legendary Canucks goalies without mentioning Captain Kirk. Drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 1984, McLean’s NHL career truly blossomed after his 1987 trade to Vancouver, where he became one of the franchise’s all-time greats and legend remaining to this day. His “stand-up” goaltending style and consistent play earned him two Vezina Trophy nominations and appearances in two NHL All-Star Games.
McLean’s tenure with the Canucks is most remembered for his heroic performance during the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He famously backstopped Vancouver to the finals, making crucial saves, including a legendary stop on Robert Reichel in Game 7 of the first round against Calgary. McLean also shined in the finals, where he made a staggering 52 saves in Game 1 against the New York Rangers. Although Vancouver ultimately fell in a dramatic seven-game series, McLean’s playoff performance remains etched in Canucks history.
If you were to open a record book in the 90s, you’d see McLean’s name occupying nearly all major goaltending records, including most wins (211), shutouts (20), and playoff victories (34). Known affectionately as “Captain Kirk” by fans, McLean was a cornerstone of the Canucks’ success throughout the early 1990s. He became a true leader on the team and was a stalwart during Vancouver’s first sustained period of success, earning accolades like the Cyclone Taylor Trophy as team MVP multiple times.
In 1998, after over a decade with Vancouver, McLean was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. He later had brief stints with the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers before retiring in 2001. Over his 17-year NHL career, McLean became known for his composure, sharp reflexes, and ability to step up in key moments, especially in the playoffs.
Post-retirement, McLean remained involved in hockey, serving as a goaltending coach and broadcaster for the Canucks. He also ventured into business, co-owning a restaurant in Vancouver and becoming a part-owner of the BCHL’s Burnaby Express. His impact on the Canucks’ legacy, particularly the 1994 playoff run, remains a proud chapter in the franchise’s history, making him one of Vancouver’s most beloved sports figures.
Roberto Luongo (with VAN 2006-2014)
Roberto Luongo, or “Bobby-Lou,” was not only one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history but also a fan favourite wherever he played. While he suited up for three different franchises over his 19-season career, Luongo’s most memorable years were with the Vancouver Canucks and the Florida Panthers. In fact, he was traded twice to the Panthers, a team where he became a true franchise icon.
Originally drafted by the New York Islanders in 1997, Luongo’s career took off after a trade to Florida in 2000. He established himself as one of the NHL’s best, but in 2006, he was traded to Vancouver in a blockbuster deal that included Todd Bertuzzi. This was where “Luuu” truly made his mark. From 2006 to 2014, Luongo became the backbone of the Canucks, winning over fans with his acrobatic saves, consistency, and, of course, his personality.
One of Luongo’s most iconic moments came during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he backstopped the Canucks to the finals. Although they fell just short in a seven-game series against the Boston Bruins, Luongo’s performance in critical moments, like the 31-save Game 7 win over Chicago, cemented his legacy in Vancouver. He also set franchise records for wins and shutouts, surpassing the legendary Kirk McLean. In fact, his 47 wins in the 2006-07 season are still a Canucks record.
But Luongo wasn’t just an NHL superstar; he also thrived on the international stage. He helped Canada capture Olympic gold in 2010 — in Vancouver, no less — making it a special victory for both him and Canucks fans. With a 1.76 GAA in the tournament, he proved himself on the world’s biggest stage.
Perhaps one of the most unusual chapters of Luongo’s career came in 2008 when the Canucks named him team captain — the first goalie to wear the “C” since 1948. NHL rules prevented him from actually sporting the letter on his jersey, so he had it painted on his mask instead. Though unconventional, it was a testament to his leadership and importance to the team.
After years of being Vancouver’s No. 1 goalie, the Canucks shocked fans in 2014 by trading Luongo back to the Panthers. Though his departure was bittersweet, Luongo returned to Florida and finished his career with grace, further solidifying his legacy as one of the best in NHL history. When he retired in 2019, Luongo ranked third all-time in wins (489) and second in games played (1,044) among goalies, guaranteeing his spot in the Hall of Fame.
Whether it was his playful Twitter persona (@Strombone1), his endless “Luuu” chants from the fans, or his jaw-dropping saves, Luongo was not just a dominant player but also one of hockey’s most beloved characters.
Thatcher Demko (with VAN 2017-present)
Thatcher Demko, the rising star between the pipes for the Vancouver Canucks, has quickly earned his place as one of the NHL’s elite goaltenders. Drafted in the second round (36th overall) by Vancouver in 2014, Demko’s journey to becoming the team’s franchise goalie has been a steady climb filled with standout performances and record-breaking moments.
Born on December 8, 1995, in San Diego, Demko’s hockey path took him from sunny California to Boston College, where he dominated the NCAA scene. Over three seasons with the Eagles, Demko put up incredible numbers, finishing with a .928 save percentage (S%), 2.08 GAA, and 13 shutouts — setting a single-season shutout record for the school. His performances earned him the Mike Richter Award in 2016 as the best goaltender in college hockey, along with a top-three finish for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the NCAA’s best player.
