‘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’ \u2014 Former Canucks winger Geoff Courtnall<\/p>\n
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Published Apr 21, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 13\u00a0minutes ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Geoff Courtnall has experienced the hope, hype, happiness and sorrow that envelopes the Vancouver Canucks<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s last-place team into a roster rebuild because their Norris Trophy-winning captain wouldn\u2019t commit to an extension.<\/p>\n The Canucks handed out long-term commitments to Brock Boeser<\/a>, Thatcher Demko<\/a> and Conor Garland<\/a> like candy on July 1 in a desperate and failed attempt to appease Quinn Hughes<\/a>. It still forced his December exit in a blockbuster trade, and following four-straight surprising road wins, the Canucks then lost 11 straight.<\/p>\n And so, here we are.<\/p>\n Playoffs were a staple in Courtnall\u2019s career stops at Washington, Edmonton, Boston, St. Louis, and in his tenure here \u2014 five successive post-season runs \u2014 but now they\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Neither is scoring the second-fewest goals, allowing the most, and having the worst penalty kill. Nine early injuries didn\u2019t help, especially when Filip Chtyil and Teddy Blueger<\/a> were sidelined Oct. 19 with long-term ailments.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not that shocked, actually,\u201d Courtnall told Postmedia on Monday. \u201cIf you don\u2019t have your No. 1 goalie for the whole year pretty much, and lose your core guys, it\u2019s definitely a rebuild. It\u2019s unfortunate. They don\u2019t have any other choice. I didn\u2019t think the compete was there, and there\u2019s something wrong.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve got to get the environment back. It\u2019s up to the players to compete and win. A winning culture takes a lot of work.\u201d<\/p>\n At the head of it all is Francesco Aquilini, who wears big hats as franchise owner and chairman of the Aqulini Investment Group. He\u2019s intense, impulsive, and his mantra has always been playoffs or bust. He also spends on top players. What does he make of this mess?<\/p>\n 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?<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cOwnership definitely wants to win,\u201d stressed Courtnall. \u201cI\u2019m 100 per cent positive they\u2019re not happy and it\u2019s pretty hard to be in this situation. I feel sorry for the Aquilinis, and it\u2019s not fun. Right now, they\u2019re at a real turning point for the organization.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to take finding players who can play their roles to help the team have success.\u201d<\/p>\n Before that occurs, big decisions need to be made, and that\u2019s going to be an interesting process.<\/p>\n How willing is Aquilini \u2014 who hired former coaches John Tortorella and Bruce Boudreau on gut feel \u2014 going to be on taking advice from president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford? He\u2019s on the back nine of his career and the GM hire is crucial to chart the right franchise course.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really know where they\u2019re at,\u201d admitted Courtnall. \u201cIt\u2019s a critical time. They\u2019ve got quality players, but they\u2019re going to have to surround them with players who will grind it out.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Vancouver is now a tough sell for free agents and anybody in hockey operations \u2014 especially the new GM \u2014 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.<\/p>\n And as we know here, that has never been easy with too many fingers in the pie.<\/p>\n It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n It\u2019s why everybody is pissed off and pines for the playoffs.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the best time of the year. It\u2019s 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\u2019s nothing better than winning when it means the most.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s confidence and that feeling of what it\u2019s like to win every game and not lose,\u201d said Courtnall. \u201cIt\u2019s why some teams are successful. Once you have that feeling, you want it every year.\u201d<\/p>\n That must eventually become the feeling in Vancouver.<\/p>\n bkuzma@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks: Why Jake DeBrusk knows how to smooth the rough rebuild road<\/p>\n![\"alt](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/geoff-courtnall.jpg\")
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<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.0.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Francesco Aquilini announces extension for president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford on Jan. 19, 2024.<\/p>\n![\"At](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776777745_423_2271377822_302588253.jpg\")
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