Ever wonder about the White Towel?
I confess that I didn't know about the origins of the white towel waving tradition during Canucks playoff hockey. Surprisingly, it wasn't started by a Canucks fan intent on showing his/her support - like it's used today. It began in 1984, with the head coach of the Canucks, the late Roger Neilson, making a cheeky protest against the referees.
Here's an excerpt from a CBC article on Mr. Neilson dated June 23, 2003:
Back in 1982, behind the bench of the Vancouver Canucks, Neilson staged his most visual rebellion against the establishment when he placed on a towel on a stick and lofted it high in the air in mock surrender in a conference final playoff game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
He was making a statement against referee Bob Myers calling too many penalties against his team.
He got kicked out of the game, but the incident became a rallying point for the Canucks and when they returned to Vancouver everybody was waving a white towel.
The Canucks went on to win the series, but lost in the Stanley Cup final to the New York Islanders.
posted by Mainly Mattias at
10:36 pm
4 Comments:
my mom has one of the original towels from 1982. She's "not sure where she put it" but I wish she would find it because I want to see it! I still have my towel from the 1994 run. I've put it somewhere safe :)
By
alayna, at 1:14 am
No way! That's awesome! We're due for another run for the Cup, no? Come on, Canucks! We want a reason to bring out our towels!!!
By
Mainly Mattias, at 12:35 am
Lol yeah were definitly due for another run! oh and the Jets started using the towel thing when they started in the late 70's and everyone wood wear white and they called it the "white out"! lol
By
canucks<3, at 12:13 pm
"white out"! that's great! We should do that when the Canucks make the playoffs (notice I said "when"...am keeping the faith!) I'm holding fast to the 12 year theory. 1970-1982: 12 years; 1982-1994: 12 years; 1994-2007: I know that technically that's 13 years BUT the lockout year doesn't count so it's 12! See? Get those towels ready!
By
alayna, at 4:16 pm
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