Rick Lanz is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA) during his career. He was born on July 14, 1959, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Lanz began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the New Westminster Bruins in 1976. He played for the Bruins for three seasons before being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.
Lanz made his NHL debut with the Canucks in the 1980-81 season and played for the team for four seasons. He was known for his physical play and his ability to play both defense and forward positions. In the 1982-83 season, Lanz had his best offensive season, scoring 12 goals and 29 assists for a total of 41 points.
In 1984, Lanz was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Chicago Blackhawks for one season before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 1987. Lanz played for the Canucks for one more season before retiring from the NHL in 1988.
After retiring from the NHL, Lanz played for several years in Europe, including stints in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. He also played for Team Canada in the 1991 Spengler Cup, where he helped the team win the championship.
Lanz retired from professional hockey in 1992 and returned to Vancouver, where he became involved in coaching and player development. He worked as an assistant coach for the WHL's Vancouver Giants from 2001 to 2004 and then became the head coach of the Langley Hornets of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League.
In 2010, Lanz was inducted into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the sport in the province. He continues to be involved in hockey as a coach and mentor to young players.
Overall, Rick Lanz had a successful career as a professional hockey player, playing for several NHL teams and representing Canada in international competition. He was known for his physical play and versatility on the ice, and he has continued to contribute to the sport through coaching and player development.
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