1971–72 Vancouver Canucks season

The 1971–72 Vancouver Canucks season was the Canucks' second season in the NHL. They finished 7th, last, in the East Division. Hal Laycoe, the team's first head coach, was fired after the season concluded and replaced by Vic Stasiuk.

Regular season
The Canucks opened the season at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 8, 1971. They lost the game 3–2, though Jocelyn Guevremont, the team's first draft choice in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, scored his first goal. In their game against the Minnesota North Stars on October 20, the Canucks were shutout for the first time, losing 7–0. One week later the Canucks played the Maple Leafs and drew them 0–0, the first time the team had a shutout of their own; Dunc Wilson was in net for the Canucks, while Bernie Parent was in for the Maple Leafs.

During his tour of Canada, Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin and his entourage watched the Canucks play the Montreal Canadiens on October 22. They stayed for the first two periods and saw Montreal score four goals en route to winning the game 6–0. Frank Mahovlich recorded a hat trick for the Canadiens, while Ken Dryden earned the shutout.

With the season concluded, Hal Laycoe was fired as head coach of the team. He was appointed vice-president of player development and scouting, and Vic Stasiuk was named the new coach.

Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Vancouver. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only.


 * Denotes player traded by Vancouver midway through the season. Stats reflect time with Canucks only.

Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Trophies and awards

 * Cyclone Taylor Award (Canucks MVP): Orland Kurtenbach
 * Cyrus H. McLean Trophy (Canucks Leading Scorer): Andre Boudrias, Orland Kurtenbach
 * Fred J. Hume Award (Canucks Unsung Hero): Ron Ward
 * Most Exciting Player: Andre Boudrias

Canucks team records

 * Fewest points overall: (48) – repeated in 1994–95
 * Fewest road points: (15) – repeated in 1972–73
 * Fewest wins overall: (20) – (18 in shortened 1994–95 season)
 * Most losses overall: (50)
 * Most road losses: (30)
 * Fewest ties overall: (8) – repeated in 1970–71, 1986–87, 1988–89
 * Most shutouts against: (12)

Transactions
The Canucks were involved in the following transactions during the 1971–72 season.

Draft picks
Vancouver's picks at the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal.