Tocchet: Canucks brought respect back to city this season

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet believes his club can enter the offseason with their heads high despite their playoff run ending with a Game 7 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on home ice Monday night.

"They put respect back in this city and this jersey, let's face it," Tocchet said after the loss, per Sportsnet. "The fans got something to be proud about, and it's all because of the players."

Vancouver fans gave the players a standing ovation after Monday's loss, a 3-2 final in which the Canucks made a push for overtime.

#Canucks fans giving their team a standing ovation after an incredible 2023-24 season#Canucks
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/r1yOB5baBa

— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) May 21, 2024

"There was no quit. I'm really proud of the guys," Tocchet said, according to team reporter Kate Pettersen. "They made a good push there. I'm really proud."

The Canucks won the Pacific Division with 109 points this season after missing the playoffs three years in a row. Vancouver has posted a 70-35-15 record since Tocchet replaced Bruce Boudreau behind the bench in January 2023 - good for the seventh-most points in the NHL.

Tocchet's hand in leading the Canucks to the postseason earned him a Jack Adams Award nomination.

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