British Columbia Court Slashes Canucks’ Fine by $300,000

The British Columbia Supreme Court has reduced by $300,000 the fine that the Vancouver Canucks were assessed by National Hockey League President John Ziegler over the signing of former King coach Pat Quinn, now the Canucks’ general manager.

The Canucks were fined $310,000 and Quinn was suspended Jan. 9 from coaching in the NHL until 1990. Quinn had signed a future services contract to join Vancouver after his contract to coach the Kings expired.

In a judgment released Tuesday, Justice Patrick Dohm said the Canucks and Quinn acted in a forthright manner and there was nothing wrong with keeping confidential the agreement the Canucks signed with Quinn.

Dohm said Ziegler exceeded his jurisdiction in fining the team $310,000, and reduced the fine to $10,000.

Dohm said, however, that Quinn’s suspension from coaching in the NHL until 1990 would stand.