Canucks: Geoff Courtnall on season: 'Got to get the environment back'

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‘I didn’t think the compete was there and there’s something wrong. It’s up to the players. A winning culture takes a lot of work’ — Former Canucks winger Geoff Courtnall

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Published Apr 21, 2026 • Last updated 13 minutes ago • 4 minute read

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alt text Vancouver Canucks winger Geoff Courtnall celebrates his overtime goal against the Winnipeg Jets on March 30, 1991 at the Pacific Coliseum. Photo by Nick Didlick /PNGArticle content

Geoff Courtnall has experienced the hope, hype, happiness and sorrow that envelopes the Vancouver Canucks.

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The former winger thrived on high-octane editions of the NHL club that nearly captured the Stanley Cup in 1994. And even in retirement, the Victoria native remains connected to the franchise because of a passion to see it succeed.

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Courtnall has seen a lot, but nothing quite like this tire-fire season that tested the patience of ownership and a loyal but frustrated fan base facing ticket-price increases.

It cost General Manager Patrik Allvin his job, put head coach Adam Foote in limbo to await his fate until a new GM is appointed, and plunged the league’s last-place team into a roster rebuild because their Norris Trophy-winning captain wouldn’t commit to an extension.

The Canucks handed out long-term commitments to Brock Boeser, Thatcher Demko and Conor Garland like candy on July 1 in a desperate and failed attempt to appease Quinn Hughes. It still forced his December exit in a blockbuster trade, and following four-straight surprising road wins, the Canucks then lost 11 straight.

And so, here we are.

Playoffs were a staple in Courtnall’s career stops at Washington, Edmonton, Boston, St. Louis, and in his tenure here — five successive post-season runs — but now they’re a franchise pipe dream. Setting club records for fewest home ice wins (nine) and longest losing streak (11) are not a foundation to build upon.

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Neither is scoring the second-fewest goals, allowing the most, and having the worst penalty kill. Nine early injuries didn’t help, especially when Filip Chtyil and Teddy Blueger were sidelined Oct. 19 with long-term ailments.

Francesco Aquilini announces extension for president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford on Jan. 19, 2024.

“I’m not that shocked, actually,” Courtnall told Postmedia on Monday. “If you don’t have your No. 1 goalie for the whole year pretty much, and lose your core guys, it’s definitely a rebuild. It’s unfortunate. They don’t have any other choice. I didn’t think the compete was there, and there’s something wrong.

“They’ve got to get the environment back. It’s up to the players to compete and win. A winning culture takes a lot of work.”

At the head of it all is Francesco Aquilini, who wears big hats as franchise owner and chairman of the Aqulini Investment Group. He’s intense, impulsive, and his mantra has always been playoffs or bust. He also spends on top players. What does he make of this mess?

Courtnall should know. He was once in discussions regarding a role with the Canucks. Can Aquilini really embrace a rebuild? Or will he panic as losses and empty seats pile up next season? Will he prop up the product with trades by parting with draft picks?

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“Ownership definitely wants to win,” stressed Courtnall. “I’m 100 per cent positive they’re not happy and it’s pretty hard to be in this situation. I feel sorry for the Aquilinis, and it’s not fun. Right now, they’re at a real turning point for the organization.

“It’s going to take finding players who can play their roles to help the team have success.”

Before that occurs, big decisions need to be made, and that’s going to be an interesting process.

How willing is Aquilini — who hired former coaches John Tortorella and Bruce Boudreau on gut feel — going to be on taking advice from president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford? He’s on the back nine of his career and the GM hire is crucial to chart the right franchise course.

Rutherford had admiration for Ryan Johnson from the outset, added an advisory position and then assistant GM role to his full plate as GM of the AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. However, Aquilini may also want to cast a wider net and lean on NHL experience to navigate the tricky roster rebuild.

“I don’t really know where they’re at,” admitted Courtnall. “It’s a critical time. They’ve got quality players, but they’re going to have to surround them with players who will grind it out.”

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Vancouver is now a tough sell for free agents and anybody in hockey operations — especially the new GM — who is going to demand total autonomy to do his thing based on logic. And that process is going to take time and plenty of patience on all fronts.

And as we know here, that has never been easy with too many fingers in the pie.

It’s why that marvellous 2023-24 season of 50 wins, 109 points, Pacific Division title, and coming within a win if advancing to the Western Conference final seems like so long ago. Momentum then turned into drama, departures, and set the club up for failure.

It’s why everybody is pissed off and pines for the playoffs.

It’s the best time of the year. It’s a different game and atmosphere. The pace is quicker, time and space disappear, and every game provides an entertainment value on a much higher level. And players willingly endure hacks and whacks because there’s nothing better than winning when it means the most.

“It’s confidence and that feeling of what it’s like to win every game and not lose,” said Courtnall. “It’s why some teams are successful. Once you have that feeling, you want it every year.”

That must eventually become the feeling in Vancouver.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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Canucks: Geoff Courtnall on season: ‘Got to get the environment back’

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