year of his career. He led the team in goals with 42 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. Rota Fans called themselves the "Rota Rooters"! 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 Robson. In 1998, Rota became head coach of the expansion Burnaby Bulldogs of the BCHL. Rota resides in the city of Coquitlam, and in 2000 he became part-owner, president, and general manager of the expansion Coquitlam Express of the BCHL. He built the team which won the 2006 Royal Bank Cup. Rota left the organization after the 2014 season. Career statistics Awards WCHL Second All-Star Team – 1972 WCHL All-Star Team – 1973 References External links Profile at hockeydraftcentral.com 1953 births Living people Atlanta Flames players Canadian ice hockey left wingers Chicago Blackhawks draft picks Chicago Blackhawks players Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL) players Houston Aeros draft picks Sportspeople from Prince George, British Columbia Ice hockey people from Vancouver National Hockey League All-Stars National Hockey League broadcasters National Hockey League first-round draft picks Vancouver Canucks announcers Vancouver Canucks executives Vancouver Canucks players World Hockey Association first round draft picks