In the Spring of 1988, a few members from the old club and their friends decided to give it another try. By October 1988, the club was back in the Pacific Coliseum, signing up new members.

Everything did not go smoothly that first season (supplies to build a new booth went missing, the club ran out of money in January, there was one event all season), but the club was back. By the end of the season, the club had finalized its constitution and by-laws and was officially registered as a non-profit society.

The booster club did not have a presence in the Pacific Coliseum during 1989-90 (despite having built a new booth), but was permitted to insert membership applications in game programs late in the season. The club turned a profit in 1989-90, but was still in debt, owing the club president over $1,000 by seasons end.

At the start of the 1990-91 season, the Canucks reinstated the booster club privilege of having a presence in the Pacific Coliseum. Attention, memberships and revenue increased dramatically. A jacket draw, promoted and supported by the souvenir shop and run by the booster club, began during the season. When the Canucks made the playoffs in overtime of the last game of the season, members of the club danced on the booth after the game.

In June 1991, a new president was elected, setting off a chain of events that threatened the very existence of the booster club -- again. The club became divided and tensions ran high. Because of this, several members resigned from the board and many members left the club, vowing never to return. Through the dedicated efforts of the remaining members, the club survived -- barely. The following year, only three people ran for election on the five person board (and one board member quit a couple of months later).

For a time during the 1992-93 season, one member held the titles of president, treasurer, secretary, newsletter editor, game night coordinator, trips coordinator, membership coordinator, and events coordinator. Gradually new members joined the club and the board. We ran a successful road trip to Calgary (well, the bus ride was pretty horrible, but at least we made money), the newsletter went out every month, and membership totals went over the 200 mark for the first time.

By the 1993-94 season, the club had a solid foundation of volunteers, a good relationship with the Vancouver Canucks (including free advertising in the game program) and was an organization to be proud of. The club ran an independent 50/50 type draw at each game, raising $2,600 for the Canuck foundation. Members were doing all the game night handouts (and getting into the games for free). In March 1994, forty people went on a six day road trip to Chicago, Detroit and Toronto. Spurred by the playoff drive, membership once again hit an all-time high, topping out at 289 members. At the 1994 NHLBC Convention, Vancouver was awarded the right to host the 1996 convention.

At the start of the 1994-95 season, the NHL locked out its players. The booster club continued to thrive. In the middle of the lockout, the club hit 300 members for the first time in its history. Once the season began, the club was in full swing, doing handouts, raising money and preparing for the 1996 NHLBC Convention. When the Canucks decided to give control of the 50/50 draw to professional fund raisers, many of our members volunteered to sell tickets at the games.

The 1995-96 season was the best (and most stressful) season ever for the booster club. Once again, the club reached another membership milestone going over the 400 member mark (finishing with 417). Newsletter nights became a regular occurrence, ensuring that the 350 newsletters were sent out each month. Our booth was moved to General Motors Place and operated at every home game. Club volunteers, dressed in their official sweatshirts, worked the handouts in the new building. And then there was the convention.

For the first time in the 26 year history of the NHLBC, the annual convention came to Vancouver. Over 350 hockey fans attended, making it the largest west-coast convention ever. The convention budget was almost $200,000 and the club was able to set up a legacy fund with the profits from the convention. While many club members didn't get a lot of sleep during the week of August 4 to 12, 1996, it was an incredible experience for all involved.

A week after the convention, the club held its annual elections and new members were elected to the offices of president, treasurer, secretary and director. As the fortunes of the Canucks declined, so did the membership totals in the booster club. During the 1996-97 season, the booster club booth which had served its purpose for eight years was removed from the concourse. In its place was a stand more in keeping with the decor of GM Place. Our donation bank at the booth raised over $500 for the Canuck foundation.

At the start of the 1997-98 season, it was decided by the Canucks that the booster club would no longer be permitted the privilege of having a booth in the building. That, combined with the disappointing showing of the hockey team, led to another season of declining memberships.

Since 1998-99, the booster club has maintained membership levels around the 150 mark. With the improved performance of the team, membership should grow. Our relationship with the Canucks is strong, as members who do handouts or attend our player dinner will attest. We look forward to supporting the Canucks for as long as they want our support.

No matter what happens on the ice, members of the Vancouver Canucks Booster Club still volunteer at game night handouts, attend events, publish regular newsletters, prepare membership kits, plan trips to see the Canucks on the road, raise funds for charitable causes and, above all, support the Vancouver Canucks win or lose.