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National Post
11-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Obituary: Former Canucks goalie Frank Caprice backed up both Richard Brodeur and Kirk McLean
Frank Caprice's best game in the NHL might well have been his first full one. Article content Article content A 21-year-old Caprice made 26 saves and was named the first star that night, helping the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 10, 1983, at the Pacific Coliseum. Article content Those Canucks had Richard Brodeur and John Garrett in net, but Caprice had been called up from the AHL's Fredericton Express just before the meeting on home ice with the Oilers because coach Roger Neilson felt the team needed a spark. The Canucks had a single win in their previous seven games (1-4-2), and sat 11-15-3 overall going into the game. The Oilers, who were on their way to their first Stanley Cup title, came into the night 21-5-3. Article content The lone NHL experience on Caprice's resume to that point was third period mop-up duty in an 8-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings the previous February. Article content Caprice would get into another 18 games with the Canucks that season and wound up with 102 appearances for Vancouver during his six-year run with the team. He's 12th all-time in games played by goalies in franchise history. Article content Caprice died last week. He was 63. Article content 'He was a beloved teammate, a valued member of our organization and he will be greatly missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Frank's friends and family,' a Canucks team statement read. Article content Article content In his stint with Vancouver, Caprice was a backup to Brodeur (377) and then Kirk McLean (516), who are third and first, respectively, among Canucks goalies in games played. Article content The Vancouver Sun's Gary Mason covered the Western Professional Hockey League for several days in the 1998-99 season, offering up a look at life in the minors. He talked to Caprice, who was 36 then and was a goalie and assistant coach with the Corpus Christi IceRays. Article content Mason described Caprice this way in a Jan. 4, 1999 story: 'The NHL was everything to Frank Caprice. He remembers skating around the ice before games, and seeing himself in the reflection of the glass. And you know what he liked to do, boss? He'd turned his shoulder so he could see his name on the back of the jersey in the glass. Isn't that wonderful? He was playing in the NHL. He wanted to make sure he wasn't dreaming.' Article content In a Dec. 3, 1991 Vancouver Sun story, Caprice told Mike Beamish that then-Canucks coach Tom Watt had stated the summer before the 1987-88 campaign that Caprice would play 30-35 games that coming season, and that he 'felt 10 feet tall,' when Watt said that to him. Article content Article content Sure enough, the Canucks ousted Watt as bench boss that off-season and made a trade with the New Jersey Devils to land a 21-year-old McLean. Article content Article content Former Canucks captain Stan Smyl told Beamish: 'Frank had all the tools to be a No. 1 goalie but he was never given the opportunity. He was never allowed to develop his confidence. Sometimes he was just thrown into games.' Article content The Canucks traded Caprice to the Boston Bruins in June 1989 for a 12th-round pick in the 1989 Draft. He spent that season in the minors and then retired from playing. He went on to become a ticket manager for the Canucks, and told Beamish in that 1991 story, 'I wish every player could take a year off to work at a normal job and realize how lucky they are to be playing in the NHL.'
The Province
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Province
Obituary: Former Canucks goalie Frank Caprice backed up both Richard Brodeur and Kirk McLean
Caprice, who died last week, had 102 appearances with Vancouver during his six-year run with the team. He's 12th all-time in games played by goalies in franchise history Get the latest from Steve Ewen straight to your inbox Vancouver Canucks goalie Frank Caprice makes a save while Minnesota North Stars Brian MacLellan grapples with Canucks defenceman Jim Benning during NHL action at the Pacific Coliseum on February 5, 1987. Photo by Steve Bosch / Vancouver Sun Frank Caprice's best game in the NHL might well have been his first full one. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. 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. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. 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 A 21-year-old Caprice made 26 saves and was named the first star that night, helping the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 10, 1983, at the Pacific Coliseum. Those Canucks had Richard Brodeur and John Garrett in net, but Caprice had been called up from the AHL's Fredericton Express just before the meeting on home ice with the Oilers because coach Roger Neilson felt the team needed a spark. The Canucks had a single win in their previous seven games (1-4-2), and sat 11-15-3 overall going into the game. The Oilers, who were on their way to their first Stanley Cup title, came into the night 21-5-3. The lone NHL experience on Caprice's resume to that point was third period mop-up duty in an 8-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings the previous February. Caprice would get into another 18 games with the Canucks that season and wound up with 102 appearances for Vancouver during his six-year run with the team. He's 12th all-time in games played by goalies in franchise history. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Caprice died last week. He was 63. 'He was a beloved teammate, a valued member of our organization and he will be greatly missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Frank's friends and family,' a Canucks team statement read. Canadian players celebrate on Jan. 2, 1982 in Rochester, Minn., after winning the world junior hockey championship. Left to right: Frank Caprice, Scott Arniel, Mike Moffat, Marc Habscheid, Moe Lemay, James Patrick, Bruce Eakin. Hockey Canada Images. In his stint with Vancouver, Caprice was a backup to Brodeur (377) and then Kirk McLean (516), who are third and first, respectively, among Canucks goalies in games played. The Vancouver Sun's Gary Mason covered the Western Professional Hockey League for several days in the 1998-99 season, offering up a look at life in the minors. He talked to Caprice, who was 36 then and was a goalie and assistant coach with the Corpus Christi IceRays. Mason described Caprice this way in a Jan. 4, 1999 story: 'The NHL was everything to Frank Caprice. He remembers skating around the ice before games, and seeing himself in the reflection of the glass. And you know what he liked to do, boss? He'd turned his shoulder so he could see his name on the back of the jersey in the glass. Isn't that wonderful ? He was playing in the NHL. He wanted to make sure he wasn't dreaming.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In a Dec. 3, 1991 Vancouver Sun story, Caprice told Mike Beamish that then-Canucks coach Tom Watt had stated the summer before the 1987-88 campaign that Caprice would play 30-35 games that coming season, and that he 'felt 10 feet tall,' when Watt said that to him. Sure enough, the Canucks ousted Watt as bench boss that off-season and made a trade with the New Jersey Devils to land a 21-year-old McLean. In that same story, Caprice talked about how Watt had left him in to go the distance in a 13-0 loss to the Oilers on Nov. 5, 1985. It remains the most lopsided loss in Canucks history. 'It was not a proud day for me, but it was typical of the way things went for me with the Canucks. A week or two later, I was sent down to Fredericton. It just wasn't meant for me to play here,' Caprice explained in the story. Edmonton Oilers Glenn Anderson goes barrelling into Vancouver Canucks goalie Frank Caprice after getting upended by Canucks Craig Levie during NHL action at the Pacific Coliseum filed March 5, 1987. Photo by Steve Bosch / Vancouver Sun Former Canucks captain Stan Smyl told Beamish: ' Frank had all the tools to be a No. 1 goalie but he was never given the opportunity . He was never allowed to develop his confidence . Sometimes he was just thrown into games. ' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Canucks traded Caprice to the Boston Bruins in June 1989 for a 12th-round pick in the 1989 Draft. He spent that season in the minors and then retired from playing. He went on to become a ticket manager for the Canucks, and told Beamish in that 1991 story, 'I wish every player could take a year off to work at a normal job and realize how lucky they are to be playing in the NHL.' Caprice kept skating with the Canucks old-timers teams, though, and in 1992-93 he resurrected his playing career in Italy. Along the way, he also played roller hockey for a summer with former Canucks teammate Dave (Tiger) Williams and the Vancouver VooDoo. Team photo of 1982 Canadian world junior team, which won the gold medal for the first time in Canadian history. Hockey Canada row (left to right): Frank Caprice, Mark Morrison, Dave King (head coach), Troy Murray, Bob Strumm (general manager), Pierre Rioux, Mike row: Craig Gattinger (athletic therapist), Paul Boutilier, Mike Moller, Scott Arniel, Gary Nylund, Gord Kluzak, Randy Moller, James Patrick, Bill Stefaniuk (equipment manager), Sherry Bassin (assistant coach, assistant GM).Third row: Paul Cyr, Garth Butcher, Todd Strueby, Dave Morrison, Carey Wilson, Marc Habscheid, Bruce Eakin, Moe Georges Lariviere (assistant coach). His last listed pro games came in that 1998-99 season, which he split between the Ayr Scottish Eagles of the British league and the IceRays. Caprice told Mason: 'There are days when I wake up and say, 'Should I hang them up?' Especially, after you've ridden the bus all night and you come into town and you've got to play right away. But you know, there are still those moments when you look up at the clock, and you've won the game, and you've played a part in that. And you think, it's not so bad.' Caprice was 31-46-11 with a 4.20 goals against average and an .859 save percentage in his time as a Canuck. SEwen@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks Sports News
