Harold Snepsts

Harold John Snepsts(Latvian:Harolds Džons Šnepsts,born October 24, 1954) is a Canadian former professionalice hockeyplayer who spent 17 seasons in theNational Hockey Leaguebetween 1975 and 1991, including two stints with theVancouver Canucks.Snepsts featured in the1982 Stanley Cup Finalswith the Canucks.

Harold Snepsts
Born	(1954-10-24)October 24, 1954 Edmonton,Alberta, Canada
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Vancouver Canucks Minnesota North Stars Detroit Red Wings St. Louis Blues
NHL draft	59th overall,1974 Vancouver Canucks
WHA draft	105th overall,1974 Indianapolis Racers
Playing career	1974–1991

Snepsts was born inEdmonton,Albertaand both of his parents came fromLatvia.He is one of the most popular players in the history of the Canucks, the club where he spent the majority of his career.

Playing career

A "stay-at-home defender,"Snepsts played his junior hockey for theEdmonton Oil Kingsand was selected 59th overall by theVancouver Canucksin the1974 NHL amateur draft.He made a strong impression during his first training camp, and appeared in 27 games for the Canucks in1974–75,recording his first NHL goal.In 1975–76, he became a regular for the Canucks, appearing in 78 games and recording three goals and 18 points. He would quickly become a fan favourite for his hard-working, effective, blue-collar defensive game as well as his likeable personality and large moustache.

Through the late 1970s and early 1980s, Snepsts was Vancouver's most effective defender. His physical, error-free brand of hockey saw him selected to theNHL All-Star Gamein 1977 and 1982, and he was named the club's top defender four times in five years between 1977 and 1982. He also showed improvement offensively, scoring a career-high 31 points in1978–79,and on February 2, 1980 became the first defender in club history to score on a penalty shot.

Throughout this period, however, the Canucks were one of the weaker franchises in the NHL. However, they caught fire late in the1981–82season and went on an extended playoff run, reaching theStanley Cup Finals.Snepsts, along with goalieRichard Brodeur,was the heart-and-soul of the team defensively and was a tower of strength during the playoff run.However, he would commit a terrible turnover in overtime of the first game of the finals against theNew York Islanderswhich led to the winning goal byMike Bossy,and the club was swept in four games.

The1982–83season would be a disaster for Snepsts, as he missed 30 games due to a number of injuries, and was also suspended five games for fightingDoug Risebroughunder the stands at thePacific Coliseum.He would have a better year in1983–84,but at the end of the season was a victim of General ManagerHarry Neale's youth movement on the blueline and, in a highly unpopular move,was dealt to theMinnesota North Stars.He left Vancouver as the club's all-time leader in games played and penalty minutes, althoughStan Smylwould break those records a few years later.

Snepsts never really found his game in Minnesota and lasted only a season with the North Stars. It was the worst offensive season of his career, as he failed to score a goal and recorded seven assists, although he did set a career high with 232 penalty minutes. He was also suspended for two games for actions in a game against theDetroit Red Wings.Let go by Minnesota, Snepsts signed as a free agent with theDetroit Red Wings.However, his time in Detroit would be plagued with injury. Knee problems limited him to just 35 games in1985–86,and he failed to score a goal for the second consecutive year. In1986–87,he was having his best campaign in years for a rejuvenated Detroit team until he injured his shoulder in February, and then re-injured it during the playoffs. The resulting off-season surgery forced him to miss the first half of the1987–88season, although he returned to help the Wings reach theCampbell Conferencefinals for the second consecutive year.

The1988–89season would be a homecoming for Snepsts, as he signed a free-agent contract with the Canucks and returned to Vancouver. Now a depth defender, he was a steadying influence as the team set a club record for fewest goals against. That year Canucks fans began to chant "Har-Old!" from the stands, something that will follow him for the rest of his career and sometimes shouted to later players such asHarold Druken.Late in the1989–90season he was dealt to theSt. Louis Bluesto add experience for the playoffs.He played out his final season with the Blues, during which he played in his 1000th NHL game, before retiring in 1991.He was one of the last players to play in the NHL without a helmet. After his retirement only five helmetless players remained in the league.

Snepsts appeared in 1,033 NHL games over his career, recording 38 goals and 195 assists for 233 points, along with 2009 penalty minutes. On March 14, 2011, the Canucks organization inducted Snepsts into their "Ring of Honour".

Coaching career

Following his retirement, Snepsts remained with the St. Louis organization and became head coach of their top minor-league affiliate, thePeoria Rivermenof theInternational Hockey League.Despite having no coaching experience, he led the team to a 48–25–9 mark for a 105-point season before losing in the second round of the playoffs. For1992–93,he was promoted to an assistant coaching position in St. Louis under head coachBob Plager;however, he remained in that position for only a year before being replaced by new head coachBob Berry.

Following his departure from the Blues, he spent a season as head coach of theSan Diego Gullsof the IHL, leading them to a 93-point season. He signed on as head coach of thePortland Winter Hawksof theWHLfor the1998–99,but inherited a rebuilding team and was fired midway through his second season.

Snepsts was subsequently hired as a scout for the NHL's Central Scouting Service (CSS) in 2000, but left in 2005 to become part of the Canucks' Amateur Scouting staff.He would hold this position for 12 years before retiring in 2017. He remains with the organization, however, as an ambassador.

Personal life

When Snepsts was 13, his mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), and he spent much of his career raising money for MS charities.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1972–73	Edmonton Oil Kings	WCHL		68	2	24	26	155		11	0	1	1	54
1973–74	Edmonton Oil Kings	WCHL		68	8	41	49	239		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		27	1	2	3	30		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	Seattle Totems	CHL		19	1	6	7	58		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		78	3	15	18	125		2	0	0	0	4
1976–77	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		79	4	18	22	149		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		75	4	16	20	118		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		76	7	24	31	130		3	0	0	0	0
1979–80	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		79	3	20	23	202		4	0	2	2	8
1980–81	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		76	3	16	19	212		3	0	0	0	8
1981–82	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		68	3	14	17	153		17	0	4	4	50
1982–83	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		46	2	8	10	80		4	1	1	2	8
1983–84	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		79	4	16	20	152		4	0	1	1	15
1984–85	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		71	0	7	7	232		9	0	0	0	24
1985–86	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		35	0	6	6	75		—	—	—	—	—
1986–87	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		54	1	13	14	129		11	0	2	2	18
1987–88	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		31	1	4	5	67		10	0	0	0	40
1987–88	Adirondack Red Wings	AHL		3	0	2	2	14		—	—	—	—	—
1988–89	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		59	0	8	8	69		7	0	1	1	6
1989–90	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		39	1	3	4	26		—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	St. Louis Blues	NHL		7	0	1	1	10		11	0	3	3	38
1990–91	St. Louis Blues	NHL		54	1	4	5	50		8	0	0	0	12
NHL totals				1,033	38	195	233	2,009		93	1	14	15	231

References in popular culture

Snepsts was the subject of the song "Harold Snepsts", byHamilton, Ontariogarage bandThe Dik Van Dykes.

See also

• List of NHL players with 1,000 games played
• List of NHL players with 2,000 career penalty minutes

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL,orEliteprospects,orHockey-Reference,orThe Internet Hockey Database
• Profile at hockeydraftcentral