About the Vancouver Canucks Alumni
Despite the fact that Vancouver Canucks didn’t enter the NHL until 1970, the Alumni group was conceived in 1952 by the Canucks of the Western Hockey League. That’s right; it’s 57 years old this season! It was started by Hall of Famers Babe Pratt and Cyclone Taylor, who organized a benefit game for a local amateur player whose wife had become seriously ill. This eventually grew into the BC Hockey Benevolent Association (BCHBA) - a registered non-profit society - which was designed to assist former players and their families who had fallen on hard times. The scope of the BCHBA has broadened considerably over the years.
Playing against the Vancouver Canucks Alumni
The highest-profile Alumni activities, however, are the games they stage throughout B.C. Most years, they play upwards of a dozen charity contests and find their way to the farthest reaches of the province. The Alumni have travelled to a number of BC cities, with some of the games concluding with a meet and greet of the Alumni team. Games have been played in Kitimat, Smithers, Port Hardy, Rossland, Williams Lake, Comox, Victoria and Merritt, to name a few. Slapshots and hitting are no-no’s but pretty well everything else goes. Pies-in-the-face, buckets of water thrown on the opposition bench, bribing the officials, a Superman sighting...all are part of the Alumni’s schtick. Oh yes, and like the Harlem Globetrotters, they usually win!
In return for their performances, the Alumni receive expense money for travel or accommodation (if applicable) plus a modest stipend which goes directly into the scholarship maintenance program. Any funds over and above are left in the community in which the game is played and go to minor hockey or other local causes.
Find out more about inviting the Canuck Alumni to play in your community
canucks alumni vs. trinity western
Trinity Western University Titans Hockey team is very excited to host the Vancouver Canuck Alumni on December 5, 2009 at 7:00pm. It will be a benefit game held at the George Preston arena complex (20699 – 42nd Ave). More
darcy rota meet & Greet
Former Vancouver Canuck and Alumni member Darcy Rota was recently on hand to sign autographs for fans. Rota is a BC boy who played a total of five seasons for the Vancouver Canucks from 1979 to 1984. More
the opportunity of a lifetime
A new hockey program gives at-risk youth the chance to experience hockey. Aided by the Canucks Alumni, this program addresses the reality that the joy of hockey remains out of reach for many kids. More
Canucks alumni bcHL ScholarshipsFor nearly a decade, Orland Kurtenbach, the Canucks original captain, headed up an Alumni committee which provides scholarship opportunities (four per year at $3,000) for junior hockey players from the BC Hockey League to attend the University of British Columbia. Kurtenbach was a natural to spearhead this initiative, having coached several years in the BCHL with Richmond and Chilliwack. Kurtenbach was a natural to spearhead this initiative, having coached several years in the BCHL with Richmond and Chilliwack. Kurtenbach, who is currently the Director of Community Relations with the BC Hockey League, works alongside another Canuck alumnus, John Grisdale, who is the League Commissioner. Kurtenbach has handed over the reins of the Canucks Alumni BCHL scholarship to fellow ex-Canuck Gerry O’Flaherty. Over the years, more than 30 BCHL grads have earned over $248,000 in scholarship funds through this tremendous scholarship to pursue both hockey and studies at postsecondary institutions. |
Larry Ashley ScholarshipAnother scholarship program was initiated in 1996 in the name of Larry Ashley. Ashley was the longtime athletic trainer of the NHL Canucks who died of cancer in 1995. Widely recognized as a leader in his field, Ashley’s name now lives on via the Larry Ashley Scholarship Program. It provides scholarship funds of $2,500 per year to academically qualified BC students pursuing post-secondary studies in the fields of sports medicine and/or athletic training. A major contributor of funds to sustain this program is the annual Larry Ashley/Allan McGavin Golf Classic, a tournament which features the presence of a variety of ex-Canucks and members of the sports medicine fraternity. The Canucks alumni provide the Larry Ashley Scholarship for students in the fields of sports medicine or athletic training annually. More |
Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association AwardsThe Vancouver Canucks Alumni offer a number of scholarships each season to deserving students and minor hockey players in recognition of academic achievement and commitment to school and community service. Canucks scholarships include: Arthur Griffiths Scholarship, Vancouver Canucks Scholarships, and the Vancouver Canucks Community Service Bursary. More |
Alumni President
Gerry "Driller" Sillers was born and raised in Saskatoon where he played junior for the Blades with his longtime buddy Bobby Schmautz. He moved west to attend Simon Fraser University and turned pro with the Western League Canucks in 1968-69.
He played four seasons with their NHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans of the AHL, a team for which the flamboyant Don Cherry both played and coached. He also played briefly with Portland of the WHL.
Following his playing career, he became an enthusiastic member of the Canucks alumni organization and in 1989, became its president, a post he still holds.
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