Darcy Rota
Encyclopedia
Darcy Irwin Rota is a retired professional ice hockey
player who spent eleven seasons in the National Hockey League
. He resides in the city of Coquitlam, and currently serves as president of the Coquitlam Express of the British Columbia Hockey League
.
. Rota played his junior hockey with the Edmonton Oil Kings
of the WCHL
, helping the club reach the Memorial Cup
in 1971 and 1972. A dangerous sniper, he led the WCHL in goals in 1972–73, notching 73 in just 68 games en route to a 129 point season. Following the season, he was selected 13th overall by the Chicago Black Hawks
in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft
.
Rota stepped straight into the Black Hawks' roster in 1973–74, and turned in a solid rookie season with 21 goals and 33 points in 74 games. Over the next several seasons, Rota developed into a solid, gritty, two-way player who made a solid contribution at both ends of the ice, although he didn't develop into the type of scorer it was thought he could be when he was drafted. He scored at least 20 goals in each of his first four seasons in Chicago, with his best year as a Black Hawk coming in 1976–77 when he co-lead the team with 24 goals.
Late in the 1978–79 season, Rota was dealt along with Ivan Boldirev
to the Atlanta Flames
in a blockbuster trade which saw Tom Lysiak
moving to Chicago. He started off well in Atlanta with 9 goals in 13 games to close the season, but struggled in 1979–80 with just 18 points through 44 games. Mid-way through the season, he and Boldirev were dealt again, this time to the Vancouver Canucks
, giving a delighted Rota a chance to play for his hometown team.
Rota's first full season as a Canuck in 1980–81 would be the best in his career to that point, as he notched career highs with 25 goals and 56 points. He would miss a substantial chunk of the 1981–82 campaign with a knee injury, but was a key component of the squad which reached the 1982 Stanley Cup
finals, notching 6 goals in 17 playoff games.
For the 1982–83 season, Rota spent much of the year on a dynamic line with Thomas Gradin
and Stan Smyl
, and turned in the finest year of his career. He led the team in goals with 41 and finished with 81 points, both of which set club records (since broken by Markus Näslund
) for a left winger.
Rota continued to excel in 1983–84, and was selected to play in his first NHL All-Star Game. He appeared to be on target for another season of close to 40 goals when he suffered a serious neck injury on a check from Jay Wells
of the Los Angeles Kings
. He managed to return for the playoffs, but was eventually forced to undergo spinal fusion
surgery in the summer of 1984. He attempted to rejoin the Canucks in November of that year, but was warned that he risked further injury if he continued to play. After a few practices, he opted to retire.
Rota finished his career with 256 goals and 239 assists for 495 points in 794 NHL games, along with 973 penalty minutes.
.
In 1998, Rota became head coach of the expansion Burnaby Bulldogs
of the BCHL. In 2000, he became part-owner, president, and general manager of the expansion Coquitlam Express of the BCHL, which later became the Burnaby Express
. He built the team which won the 2006 Royal Bank Cup
, although he has since relinquished his GM duties. On 14 January 2010, it was announced that the Express would relocate back to Coquitlam for the 2010/11 season.
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...
player who spent eleven seasons 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...
. He resides in the city of Coquitlam, and currently serves as president of the Coquitlam Express of the British Columbia Hockey League
British Columbia Hockey League
The British Columbia Hockey League is a Junior "A" ice hockey league from British Columbia under Hockey Canada, a subsection of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Founded in Vernon in 1961, the BCHL now includes 16 teams. These teams play in two conferences, known as the Coastal and the Interior...
.
Playing career
Darcy's formative years including Bantom / Midget level hockey were in Prince George, British ColumbiaPrince George, British Columbia
Prince George, with a population of 71,030 , is the largest city in northern British Columbia, Canada, and is known as "BC's Northern Capital"...
. Rota played his junior hockey with the Edmonton Oil Kings
Edmonton Oil Kings
This article refers to the original Oil Kings franchises that existed until 1978. For the current team that began play in 2007, see Edmonton Oil Kings...
of the WCHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
, helping the club reach the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
in 1971 and 1972. A dangerous sniper, he led the WCHL in goals in 1972–73, notching 73 in just 68 games en route to a 129 point season. Following the season, he was selected 13th overall by the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
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...
.
Rota stepped straight into the Black Hawks' roster in 1973–74, and turned in a solid rookie season with 21 goals and 33 points in 74 games. Over the next several seasons, Rota developed into a solid, gritty, two-way player who made a solid contribution at both ends of the ice, although he didn't develop into the type of scorer it was thought he could be when he was drafted. He scored at least 20 goals in each of his first four seasons in Chicago, with his best year as a Black Hawk coming in 1976–77 when he co-lead the team with 24 goals.
Late in the 1978–79 season, Rota was dealt along with Ivan Boldirev
Ivan Boldirev
Ivan Boldirev is a retired Serbian-Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the NHL from 1970 through 1985...
to the Atlanta Flames
Atlanta Flames
The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the...
in a blockbuster trade which saw 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...
moving to Chicago. He started off well in Atlanta with 9 goals in 13 games to close the season, but struggled in 1979–80 with just 18 points through 44 games. Mid-way through the season, he and Boldirev were dealt again, this time to 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,...
, giving a delighted Rota a chance to play for his hometown team.
Rota's first full season as a Canuck in 1980–81 would be the best in his career to that point, as he notched career highs with 25 goals and 56 points. He would miss a substantial chunk of the 1981–82 campaign with a knee injury, but was a key component of the squad which reached the 1982 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, notching 6 goals in 17 playoff games.
For the 1982–83 season, Rota spent much of the year on a dynamic line with Thomas Gradin
Thomas Gradin
Thomas Kjell Gradin was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1978 to 1987. He is best remembered for the 8 seasons he spent with the Vancouver Canucks, and remains one of the top players in that franchise's history.-NHL career:Gradin was already one of the top...
and 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...
, and turned in the finest year of his career. He led the team in goals with 41 and finished with 81 points, both of which set club records (since broken by Markus Näslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
) for a left winger.
Rota continued to excel in 1983–84, and was selected to play in his first NHL All-Star Game. He appeared to be on target for another season of close to 40 goals when he suffered a serious neck injury on a check from Jay Wells
Jay Wells
Gordon Jay Wells is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was nicknamed "The Hammer" for his tough, physical play.-Playing career:...
of the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He managed to return for the playoffs, but was eventually forced to undergo spinal fusion
Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion, also known as spondylodesis or spondylosyndesis, is a surgical technique used to join two or more vertebrae. Supplementary bone tissue, either from the patient or a donor , is used in conjunction with the body's natural bone growth processes to fuse the vertebrae.Fusing of the...
surgery in the summer of 1984. He attempted to rejoin the Canucks in November of that year, but was warned that he risked further injury if he continued to play. After a few practices, he opted to retire.
Rota finished his career with 256 goals and 239 assists for 495 points in 794 NHL games, along with 973 penalty minutes.
Management career
Rota was hired to work in public relations for the Canucks, and served in various positions in the team's front office, including a spell as Director of Player Development, until they parted ways in 1990. He then spent a stretch working for the NHL as an assistant to league president John Ziegler. From 1994 to 1996 he served as a commentator on Canucks TV telecasts alongside Jim RobsonJim Robson
Jim Robson was a radio and television broadcaster for the Vancouver Canucks from 1970 to 1999...
.
In 1998, Rota became head coach of the expansion Burnaby Bulldogs
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Coastal Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League . They play their home games at Weyerhaeuser Arena.-History:...
of the BCHL. In 2000, he became part-owner, president, and general manager of the expansion Coquitlam Express of the BCHL, which later became the Burnaby Express
Burnaby Express
The Coquitlam Express are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Coastal Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League...
. He built the team which won the 2006 Royal Bank Cup
Royal Bank Cup
The Royal Bank Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held to determine the Canadian Junior A champion. The winner of the tournament wins the Royal Bank Cup...
, although he has since relinquished his GM duties. On 14 January 2010, it was announced that the Express would relocate back to Coquitlam for the 2010/11 season.
Personal life
Rota has two kids named Adam and Megan Rota. Adam is 14 years old and megan is 12 years old.Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
+/- | PP | SH | GW | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1970–71 | Edmonton Oil Kings | WCHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
64 | 43 | 39 | 82 | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1971–72 | Edmonton Oil Kings | WCHL | 67 | 51 | 54 | 105 | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1972–73 | Edmonton Oil Kings | WCHL | 68 | 73 | 56 | 129 | 104 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1973–74 | Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
NHL 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... |
74 | 21 | 12 | 33 | 58 | +16 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | ||
| 1974–75 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 78 | 22 | 22 | 44 | 93 | +1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 24 | ||
| 1975–76 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 79 | 20 | 17 | 37 | 73 | -8 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1976–77 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 76 | 24 | 22 | 46 | 82 | -7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1977–78 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 78 | 17 | 20 | 37 | 67 | +5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1978–79 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 63 | 13 | 17 | 30 | 77 | -10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Atlanta Flames Atlanta Flames The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the... |
NHL | 13 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 21 | +3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 26 | ||
| 1979–80 | Atlanta Flames | NHL | 44 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 49 | +3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | 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,... |
NHL | 26 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 29 | -9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 1980–81 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 80 | 25 | 31 | 56 | 124 | +10 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 14 | ||
| 1981–82 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 51 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 139 | +6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 54 | ||
| 1982–83 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 73 | 42 | 39 | 81 | 88 | +13 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 1983–84 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 59 | 28 | 20 | 48 | 73 | -12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 794 | 256 | 239 | 495 | 973 | +11 | 47 | 0 | 25 | 60 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 147 | ||||