Kirk McLean
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Position | Goaltender |
| Catches | Left |
| Nickname | Captain Kirk, The Wall |
| Height Weight |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 177-195 lb (88 kg) |
| Pro Clubs | New Jersey Devils Vancouver Canucks Carolina Hurricanes Florida Panthers New York Rangers |
| Nationality |  Canada |
| Born | June 26, 1966, Willowdale, ON, CA |
| Pro Career | 1986 – 2001 |
Kirk Alan McLean (born June 26, 1966 in Willowdale, Ontario, now part of Toronto), is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender most famous for his long and successful stint with the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks.
McLean played junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. The New Jersey Devils drafted him in 1984 with their 6th pick (107th Overall), but he only appeared in six games over two seasons for the Devils before Vancouver Canucks' general manager Pat Quinn spotted a diamond in the rough and acquired McLean, along with sniper Greg "Gus" Adams, for star winger Patrik Sundström and the Canucks' 1988 fourth-round draft pick (Matt Ruchty), on September 15, 1987.
It was from there that McLean's career took off, as he set a number of franchise records for the Canucks, and appeared in NHL All-Star Games in 1990 and 1992, and was named first runner-up for the Vezina Trophy (for outstanding goaltender) for the 1991-92 NHL season. He became known to fans as 'Captain Kirk,' in reference to the Star Trek protagonist.
His peak with the Canucks undoubtedly came during the 1994 playoffs, when he backstopped them to within two goals of the Stanley Cup, displaying arguably the best run of goaltending in Canucks' history. A heartbreaking seventh-game loss to the New York Rangers eventually ended the run for the Cup, but not before a series of personal highlights. These included a series-saving highlight-reel save in overtime against the Calgary Flames in the seventh game of the first round, as well as a 52-save performance in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Rangers, which Quinn would later quip ought to have been put on videocasette and used as a tutorial for young goaltenders.
McLean's play declined steadily for the Canucks in the mid-1990s following a divorce and injury problems.
After Quinn had been dismissed by the club, new management traded him to the new Carolina Hurricanes franchise along with Martin Gelinas for Sean Burke, Geoff Sanderson, and Enrico Ciccone on January 3, 1998. His tenure in Carolina was brief, as the Hurricanes swapped him later that season to the Florida Panthers for Ray Sheppard, on March 24, 1998. He signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers on July 13, 1999, where he would end his career in 2001. McLean will always be remembered for his stellar play as a Vancouver Canuck and perhaps being the greatest Canuck goalie of all-time.
McLean now does color commentary for the Canucks' pay-per-view broadcasts.
On March 23, 1994, Kirk McLean was the goaltender that Wayne Gretzky scored on for his 802nd career NHL goal breaking Gordie Howe's record of 801.[1][2]
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[edit] Awards
- Nominated for the Vezina Trophy in 1988-89 NHL season, finished third in voting.
- Played in the 1990 NHL All-Star Game.
- Named on the NHL Second All-Star Team, 1991-92 NHL season.
- Named on the Sporting News All-Star Second Team in 1991-92 NHL season.
- Played in the 1992 NHL All-Star Game.
- Nominated for the Vezina Trophy in 1991-92 NHL season, finished second in voting.
- If the Canucks won the Stanley Cup in the 1993-94 NHL season - would have been awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.
- Vancouver Canucks Taylor Trophy (MVP): 1989-90 NHL season, 1991-92 NHL season.
- Vancouver Canucks Molson Cup (3-Stars Leader): 1987-88 NHL season, 1989-90 NHL season, 1994-95 NHL season.
[edit] Records
- NHL Goalie Games-Played Leader in 1989-90 NHL season (63).
- NHL Minutes Leader in 1989-90 NHL season (3,739 minutes)
- NHL Wins Leader in 1991-92 NHL season (38 wins) (tie)
- NHL Shutouts Leader in 1991-92 NHL season (5 shutouts) (tie)
- NHL Playoffs Shutouts Leader in 1992 (Van.) (2) & 1994 (Van.) (4)
- NHL Playoffs Goalie Games-Played Leader in 1994 (Vancouver) (24)
- NHL Playoffs Minutes Leader in 1994 (Vancouver) (1,544 minutes)
[edit] Vancouver Canucks
- Vancouver Canucks Franchise Goaltender Games Leader, 516
- Vancouver Canucks Franchise Goaltender Wins Leader, 211
- Vancouver Canucks Franchise Shutout Leader, 20
- Vancouver Canucks Franchise Playoff Goaltender Games Leader, 68
- Vancouver Canucks Franchise Playoff Wins Leader, 34
- Vancouver Canucks Franchise Playoff Shutout Leader, 6
[edit] References
- ^ "Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings." National Hockey League. Great Western Forum, Los Angeles, California. 23 March 1994.
- ^ http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/gretzky/99reasons.html
