The First Captain

While coming down from the insanity of St. Patrick's Day and the Canucks claiming their third straight Northwest Division title last night, it only seems fitting to pay homage to the first Canucks team, especially since this is the 40th year of the team's existence in the NHL.  So, who gets the nod?  Why, the first captain of the Canucks, of course.  His name?  Orland Kurtenbach.  A veteran who joined the Canucks in the expansion draft in 1970, he had spent time with Boston, Toronto, and the New York Rangers, as well as playing for the Canucks when they were in the WHL.  Though Kurtenbach didn't add much to the score sheet, his leadership helped guide the Canucks through their growing pains that many expansion teams face.  He would play with the Canucks in the NHL for the first four seasons before retiring.  His impact on the team was recognized this year, as he was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor.  He also participated in the team's home opener pre-game ceremonies this year to celebrate 40 years in the NHL, which included a passing of the captain's C to Henrik Sedin.