Frank Caprice

Francis J. Caprice (born April 2, 1962)[1] is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who spents parts of six seasons with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League in the 1980s. After his time with the Canucks Caprice played mainly in Italy and the United Kingdom, retiring in 1999.

Frank Caprice
Born (1962-04-02) April 2, 1962
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 150 lb (68 kg; 10 st 10 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Vancouver Canucks
NHL Draft 178th overall, 1981
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 19821999

Playing career

Caprice was Vancouver's ninth round selection (178th overall) in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. In the year following his selection, he improved his stock greatly, winning 24 games for the London Knights and representing Canada at the 1982 World Junior Championships. He won all three of his starts at the World Juniors, helping Canada to the gold medal. Following the season, he signed with the Canucks and turned pro.

Caprice spent most of his first pro season in the AHL, although he did make his NHL debut, playing the 3rd period in a blowout to the Los Angeles Kings. Caprice's big opportunity came in the 1983–84, when the Canucks' starting goalie Richard Brodeur was injured. In his starting debut against the Edmonton Oilers on Hockey Night in Canada, Caprice earned first-star honours in a 3-2 Canucks victory. He posted a solid 8-8-1 mark with a 3.34 GAA, the best performance of any of the three Canuck goalies that year.

Based on his fine performance in 1983–84, Caprice was given a chance to usurp Brodeur as the Canucks' starter in 1984–85, although he struggled and then tore his hamstring, causing him to miss three months of action. He finished the season with an 8-14-3 mark and 4.81 GAA in 28 appearances, and never seriously challenged for the #1 spot again.

In 1985–86, Caprice again struggled, posting an 0-3-2 record and terrible 5.45 GAA in 7 appearances, and was demoted to the AHL in favour of Wendell Young. However, he reclaimed the backup job in 1986–87, and posted a 3.84 GAA in 25 appearances, his best since his rookie year. In 1987–88, he appeared in 22 games backing up 21-year-old Kirk McLean as the aging Brodeur was relegated to 11 appearances.

In 1988–89, Caprice was relegated to the IHL as the Canucks decided to go with a goaltending tandem of McLean and Steve Weeks. For the 1989–90 season, Caprice was dealt to the Boston Bruins for a ninth round pick. However, he spent the entire season in the minors and was released at the end of the year.

Following his release from the Bruins, Caprice spent most of the 1990s playing in Italy and later in Britain with the Cardiff Devils, before retiring in 1999 and returning to his hometown of Hamilton. He came out of retirement in 2001 to represent the Dundas, Ontario team at the 2001 Allan Cup.

In 1993, Caprice played for the Vancouver VooDoo of Roller Hockey International.

Caprice appeared in 102 NHL games over 6 NHL seasons, posting a 31-46-11 record with a 4.19 GAA and one shutout.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPWLTMINGASOGAASV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
1979–80 London Knights OMJHL 183739197414.84 311941004.50
1980–81 London Knights OHL 4211260217119005.25
1981–82 London Knights OHL 4524172261419604.50 4132401804.50
1981–82 Dallas Black Hawks CHL 30301781906.40
1982–83 Vancouver Canucks NHL 100019309.52.625
1982–83 Fredericton Express AHL 145818195003.67
1983–84 Vancouver Canucks NHL 1988210946213.40.882
1983–84 Fredericton Express AHL 18115210894922.70
1984–85 Vancouver Canucks NHL 288143151312204.84.850
1985–86 Vancouver Canucks NHL 70323082805.46.819
1985–86 Fredericton Express AHL 2612112152610904.29 6243332203.96
1986–87 Vancouver Canucks NHL 25811213868803.81.863
1986–87 Fredericton Express AHL 125506864704.11
1987–88 Vancouver Canucks NHL 22710212468704.19.861
1988–89 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 3924120220414323.89 20191503.30
1989–90 Maine Mariners AHL 102615504605.02
1989–90 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 2086310987804.26 3021421004.23
1992–93 HC Gardena ITA 191140934.89
1993–94 HC Gardena ITA 2212041004.98
1994–95 HC Gardena ITA 10
1995–96 HC Gardena ITA 3616781003.58
1996–97 Cardiff Devils BISL 77004301411.95 160303.00
1997–98 Cardiff Devils BISL 84801612.00 212042.00
1994–95 HC Gardena ITA 10
1998–99 Corpus Christi IceRays WPHL 159518474803.40.883
1998–99 Ayr Scottish Eagles BISL 72503912403.49 4032101103.14
NHL totals 102314611556739014.20.859

References

  1. Cole, Stephen (2006). The Canadian Hockey Atlas. Doubleday Canada. ISBN 978-0-385-66093-8.
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