Dennis Ververgaert
Encyclopedia
Dennis Andrew Ververgaert (born March 30, 1953) is a retired professional ice hockey
right winger
who played in the National Hockey League
from 1973 until 1981. He is best known for his time with the Vancouver Canucks
, where he was one of the club's top players in their first decade of existence. He was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game in 1976 and 1978.
, scoring 147 points in 1972–73, including a franchise record 89 assists (surpassed by Sergei Kostitsyn
in 2005–06), and was selected 3rd overall in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft
by the Vancouver Canucks
. Blessed with size and skill together with a booming shot, Ververgaert was thought to have the potential to be the first true star player in the history of the young franchise.
In his first NHL season, Ververgaert did not disappoint, stepping straight into the Canucks' roster and recording a team-leading 26 goals along with 31 assists for 57 points. He led all rookies in goals and was second in points to Tom Lysiak
, and finished 4th in Calder Trophy voting as the league's top rookie. His 26 goals remained the Canuck rookie record until broken by Trevor Linden
in 1988–89.
In 1974–75 Ververgaert was even better, recording 51 points in 57 games despite missing substantial time due to a serious shoulder injury. His production was a key factor in the team's improvement, as they won their division and made the playoffs for the first time. He would have his finest season in 1975–76, leading the Canucks with 37 goals and 71 points. He was also selected to play in his first NHL All-Star Game and proceeded to score two goals in 10 seconds to set an All-Star record, since broken by Owen Nolan
.
After the success of his first three seasons, Ververgaert appeared to be on the verge of stardom. However, his career would go sideways after 1976 as his production dropped off and he came under increased criticism for his poor defensive play. His greatest success had been with center André Boudrias
, and after Boudrias left for the WHA
, he was never able to find the same sort of chemistry with later linemates. In 1976–77, he slumped to 27 goals and just 45 points, while recording a dismal plus/minus rating of -35. He rebounded slightly in 1977–78 to tally 21 goals and a career-high 33 assists for 54 points, and was selected to play in his second All-Star game.
In 1978–79, he started the season slowly with just 9 goals in his first 35 games, and was facing stiff competition for icetime from star rookie Stan Smyl
. Mid-way through the season, he was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers
for Kevin McCarthy and Drew Callander
, and finished the year with career lows of 18 goals and 44 points. In Philadelphia, he was used more as a utility player instead of the front-line forward he was in Vancouver, and was occasionally a healthy scratch. He recorded 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points in 58 games in 1979–80, but only appeared in two games as the Flyers reached the Stanley Cup
finals.
Released by the Flyers, he signed with the Washington Capitals
for 1980–81. He turned in a decent performance for the Capitals, finishing the year with 14 goals and 41 points in 79 games. However, at the start of the 1981–82 campaign he was assigned to the minors, and chose to retire rather than accept the assignment.
Ververgaert finished his career with totals of 176 goals and 216 assists for 392 points in 583 games, along with 247 penalty minutes. His 139 goals as a Vancouver Canuck uniform place him 11th all-time, and only Don Lever
scored more goals for the club during the 1970s.
Following his career, Ververgaert returned to Vancouver where he operates an insurance business and is an active member of the Canucks' alumni organization.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
right winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
who played in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
from 1973 until 1981. He is best known for his time with the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, where he was one of the club's top players in their first decade of existence. He was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game in 1976 and 1978.
Playing career
Ververgaert had a dominant junior career with the London KnightsLondon Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...
, scoring 147 points in 1972–73, including a franchise record 89 assists (surpassed by Sergei Kostitsyn
Sergei Kostitsyn
Siarhiej Aliehavič Kaścicyn , better known as Sergei Kostitsyn, is a Belarusian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League...
in 2005–06), and was selected 3rd overall in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft
1973 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1973 NHL Amateur Draft, the 11th National Hockey League draft was the first to be held on a separate day from other league activities on May 15, 1973, at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec so it would not overshadow the rest of the league meetings. Previously, the league had held the...
by the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. Blessed with size and skill together with a booming shot, Ververgaert was thought to have the potential to be the first true star player in the history of the young franchise.
In his first NHL season, Ververgaert did not disappoint, stepping straight into the Canucks' roster and recording a team-leading 26 goals along with 31 assists for 57 points. He led all rookies in goals and was second in points to Tom Lysiak
Tom Lysiak
Thomas James Lysiak is a former professional ice hockey player. He was selected as the second overall pick in round 1 of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames, and was selected by the Houston Aeros in round 2 of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft .In each of his last two seasons at Medicine...
, and finished 4th in Calder Trophy voting as the league's top rookie. His 26 goals remained the Canuck rookie record until broken by Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
in 1988–89.
In 1974–75 Ververgaert was even better, recording 51 points in 57 games despite missing substantial time due to a serious shoulder injury. His production was a key factor in the team's improvement, as they won their division and made the playoffs for the first time. He would have his finest season in 1975–76, leading the Canucks with 37 goals and 71 points. He was also selected to play in his first NHL All-Star Game and proceeded to score two goals in 10 seconds to set an All-Star record, since broken by Owen Nolan
Owen Nolan
Owen Liam Nolan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, who is currently a free agent. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild before signing with...
.
After the success of his first three seasons, Ververgaert appeared to be on the verge of stardom. However, his career would go sideways after 1976 as his production dropped off and he came under increased criticism for his poor defensive play. His greatest success had been with center André Boudrias
Andre Boudrias
André Gerard Boudrias is a retired professional ice hockey centre who spent 12 seasons in the National Hockey League as well as two more years in the World Hockey Association between 1963 and 1978. He is best remembered for his time with the Vancouver Canucks, where he was the first offensive...
, and after Boudrias left for the WHA
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
, he was never able to find the same sort of chemistry with later linemates. In 1976–77, he slumped to 27 goals and just 45 points, while recording a dismal plus/minus rating of -35. He rebounded slightly in 1977–78 to tally 21 goals and a career-high 33 assists for 54 points, and was selected to play in his second All-Star game.
In 1978–79, he started the season slowly with just 9 goals in his first 35 games, and was facing stiff competition for icetime from star rookie Stan Smyl
Stan Smyl
Stanley Philip Smyl is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger. As a junior, he appeared in three consecutive Memorial Cups with the New Westminster Bruins, winning the championship twice in 1977 and 1978...
. Mid-way through the season, he was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for Kevin McCarthy and Drew Callander
Drew Callander
Leonard Andrew Callander is a retired former professional ice hockey centre who spents parts of four seasons in the National Hockey League in the late 1970s....
, and finished the year with career lows of 18 goals and 44 points. In Philadelphia, he was used more as a utility player instead of the front-line forward he was in Vancouver, and was occasionally a healthy scratch. He recorded 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points in 58 games in 1979–80, but only appeared in two games as the Flyers reached the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
finals.
Released by the Flyers, he signed with the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
for 1980–81. He turned in a decent performance for the Capitals, finishing the year with 14 goals and 41 points in 79 games. However, at the start of the 1981–82 campaign he was assigned to the minors, and chose to retire rather than accept the assignment.
Ververgaert finished his career with totals of 176 goals and 216 assists for 392 points in 583 games, along with 247 penalty minutes. His 139 goals as a Vancouver Canuck uniform place him 11th all-time, and only Don Lever
Don Lever
Donald Richard "Cleaver" Lever is the head coach of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1972–73 until 1986–87.-Playing career:Lever was drafted 3rd overall by the...
scored more goals for the club during the 1970s.
Following his career, Ververgaert returned to Vancouver where he operates an insurance business and is an active member of the Canucks' alumni organization.
Career statistics
--- Regular season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1970-71 London Knights OHA 62 39 48 87 98 -- -- -- -- --
1971-72 London Knights OHA 62 44 73 117 65 -- -- -- -- --
1972-73 London Knights OHA 63 58 89 147 86 -- -- -- -- --
1973-74 Vancouver Canucks NHL 78 26 31 57 25 -- -- -- -- --
1974-75 Vancouver Canucks NHL 57 19 32 51 25 1 0 0 0 0
1975-76 Vancouver Canucks NHL 80 37 34 71 53 2 1 0 1 4
1976-77 Vancouver Canucks NHL 79 27 18 45 38 -- -- -- -- --
1977-78 Vancouver Canucks NHL 80 21 33 54 23 -- -- -- -- --
1978-79 Vancouver Canucks NHL 35 9 17 26 13 -- -- -- -- --
1978-79 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 37 9 7 16 6 3 0 2 2 2
1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 58 14 17 31 24 2 0 0 0 0
1980-81 Washington Capitals NHL 79 14 27 41 40 -- -- -- -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NHL totals 583 176 216 392 247 8 1 2 3 6