"We are proud to welcome Roberto to the prestigious list of Canucks Ring of Honour inductees," said Jim Rutherford, Vancouver Canucks President, Hockey Operations. "Roberto experienced many of his career highlights as a Vancouver Canuck and is deservingly viewed as one of the best goaltenders our game has ever seen thanks to those moments. He was a fierce competitor and a tremendous leader for this team, and we are honoured to be able to acknowledge his contributions to this organization and city."
"Roberto is one of the greatest Canucks of all time and we are thrilled to be able to officially congratulate him and celebrate all his accomplishments with this franchise," said Francesco Aquilini, Chairman, Canucks Sports & Entertainment. "For eight years, he amazed and entertained us, brought us to our feet, and made us believe. He was a true professional who led by example, both on and off the ice, and we look forward to permanently recognizing him in the Ring of Honour alongside other Vancouver Canucks legends."
Luongo, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 14, spent eight seasons in Vancouver from 2006-2014, setting multiple franchise records which still stand today. Appearing in 448 regular season games with Vancouver (second-most behind Kirk McLean's 516 GP), Luongo is the Canucks all-time wins leader with 252 wins (252-137-50). He also posted 38 shutouts in a Canucks uniform, which ranks first in franchise history. Among Canucks goaltenders with at least 100 games played, Luongo also ranks first in goals-against average (2.36) and save-percentage (.919).
The Montreal, QC native was initially acquired by the Canucks from Florida in a blockbuster trade on June 23, 2006, and his impact was immediately felt. In his first season in Vancouver, Luongo played a franchise-high 76 games, compiling a 47-22-6 record to guide the team to a Northwest Division championship. He was named starting goaltender for the Western Conference All-Stars that season and finished second in Vezina Trophy voting, thanks to his 47 wins, which still rank tied for third-most in a season in NHL history.
In the following seasons, Luongo cemented his place as one of the League's elite goaltenders and the backbone of the Canucks, earning additional All-Star Game nominations in 2008 and 2009, and serving as Team Captain for two seasons from 2008.09 to 2009.10. He enjoyed his best statistical campaign in 2010.11, posting career-highs in save-percentage (.928) and goals-against average (2.11), winning the William M. Jennings Trophy alongside creasemate Cory Schneider for the lowest GAA in the NHL. Luongo's efforts led the team to their first ever Presidents' Trophy as the Canucks registered 117 points with a 54-19-9 record.
Having led the Canucks to three second-round appearances from 2007-2010, Luongo guided Vancouver to their third Stanley Cup Final in franchise history in 2011, posting a 15-10 record in 25 games and tying Kirk McLean for most shutouts (4) by a Canucks goalie in a single post-season. During his entire Canucks tenure, Luongo appeared in 64 playoff games, recording 32 wins, both of which rank second only to McLean (68 GP, 34 W).
In addition to his accolades as a Canuck, the Hall of Fame netminder also won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada during his career (2010 and 2014), highlighted by a 3-2 overtime victory in the gold medal game at Rogers Arena (named Canada Hockey Place during the Winter Olympics) on February 28, 2010.
Luongo is set to become the eighth player to be inducted into the Ring of Honour and only the second goaltender, joining Kirk McLean. The Canucks Ring of Honour presently includes Orland Kurtenbach, Kirk McLean, Thomas Gradin, Harold Snepsts, Pat Quinn, Mattias Ohlund, and Alex Burrows.
