Trevor Linden Announces Retirement

[Cat Smasher]

Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks forward Trevor Linden officially announced his retirement today, 20 years to the day, after the Canucks selected him with the 2nd overall pick in the 1988 National Hockey League Entry Draft at the Montreal Forum. Linden spent 16 of his 19 NHL seasons in a Canucks uniform.

“Today is an emotional and exciting day for me as an athlete and a person,” said Linden. “It closes one chapter of my life, my playing career, while opening up another which I am very much looking forward to. The game of hockey has been good to me and I would like to thank my family, former teammates, coaches, managers, support staff and the incredible fans that have been so generous in their support of my career.”

“Trevor has been a tremendous player, leader and ambassador for our club and our city for two decades,” said Chris Zimmerman, President and CEO, Canucks Sports & Entertainment. “His contribution to our team both on and off of the ice, his efforts in our community and his connection with our loyal fans is very special. I have never seen a professional athlete have such a significant impact on a city and province as much as Trevor has had during his illustrious career as a Canuck. Trevor truly epitomizes the phrase Forever a Canuck.”

Linden, 38, leaves the Canucks and the NHL after 19 seasons where he recorded 867 career points (375-492-867) in 1382 regular season games with the Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Washington Capitals. In addition, Linden proved himself to be a strong Playoff performer, in 124 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he recorded 99 points (34-65-99) and 104 penalty minutes. Of his 124 Playoff games, 118 came in a Canucks uniform, highlighted by his 25 points (12-13-25) in 24 games during the Canucks 1994 Stanley Cup run that concluded in a Game 7 versus the New York Rangers.

Linden completes his NHL career among the all-time League leaders in a number of statistical categories. His 1382 regular season games rank 32nd on the all-time list. Linden’s 375 career goals rank tied for 94th all-time (Butch Goring) and his 867 career points place him 99th in NHL history.

After joining the Canucks in 1988 from the Medicine Hat Tigers, Linden enjoyed immediate success, finishing runner-up for the 1989 Calder Trophy and being named The Hockey News Rookie-of-the-Year. In his first eight NHL seasons, Linden recorded 30 or more goals six times.

In 1991-92, Linden, just 21 years old at the time, was named the Canucks captain, becoming the youngest captain in the NHL.

Linden wore the “C” as Canucks captain for seven seasons, the second longest tenure as captain in club history. After spending his first 10 NHL seasons in Vancouver, Linden went on to play parts of five seasons with the Canadiens, Islanders and Capitals before returning for six more years in a Canucks sweater after he was re-acquired in November of 2001.

During his 19 seasons, Linden was a two-time NHL All-Star (1990-91, 1991-92) and represented Team Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. He retires as the Canucks all-time leader in games played (1140), assists (415) and is second in goals (318) and points (733). His 118 games, 34 goals, 61 assists and 95 points in the Playoffs are all club records.

Just as impressive as his on-ice accomplishments are, Linden’s work in the community has been tireless over the past 20 years. Most recently Linden was named the recipient of the NHL Foundation Player Award which is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player "who applies the core values of hockey – commitment, perseverance and teamwork – to enrich the lives of people in his community".

In 1997, Linden was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy which is given annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution in his community. Linden’s work with Canuck Place, BC Children’s Hospital, Camp Goodtimes, Ronald McDonald House of B.C., Canadian Cancer Society, B.C. Cancer Foundation, Kids Help Phone, the Michael Cuccione Foundation, and many other charities in BC has helped raise millions of dollars for those in need.

Throughout his career, Linden was very involved with the NHL Players Association beginning as a player representative in 1990 and acting as the President of the NHLPA for eight years from 1998-2006.

[Snipes19]

Sad to see Trevor retire. This guy was a true hockey player and a true warrior out there on the ice that had a very good hockey career. 375 goals and 492 assists is very good, and a lot of people don't even realize the points that this guy put up throughout his career, I don't think, so you could call him underrated. And he added more to the team than just points too. With experience, he became a great leader in the Vancouver Canucks lockerroom.

He was one of the best Canucks to ever play the game, IMO, and will surely be missed by a lot of Canucks fans. I know we have a few big Linden fans on this board.

It seems like there's been a lot of things happening this week in the NHL with player movement as well as coaches, and now we have the draft and free agency coming up soon too.

Anyways, best of luck in retirement Trevor, but you'll be missed out there on the ice by a lot of people.

[Smerri1029]

I would definately call Linden an underrated player. Sad to see him go.

Best of luck to him in his retirement.

[Canes13]

Lots of long careers coming to an end this summer.Happy retirment to all of them and I'm sure with the experience and talent they all have, they will be in someone's front office by fall(except of course Kapanen).

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

The best Trevor Linden highlight in existence.

HOLY SH*T...HOLY SH*T..HOLY SH*T

[Killah_punk]

Just an all around good person and hockey player.

[jkidd]

Canuckfan is going to be devastated...

Being a fierce competitor against the Wild from day 1, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Linden. He has victimized my team countless times, and has been a pain in the ass in general, since existence for my team. All that aside, he played the game with integrity, respect and passion - and for that, I will be sorry to see him hang up the skates.

Best of luck in life after hockey Trevor, I can't think of many others that deserve a break, more than you.

[thepolishkid88]

Stand up player and unquestioned team leader. He will be missed. Any idea on if he will stay head of the players association?

[Sukoshi84]

Trevor is a great leader, guy and player...... its to bad we dont have more players like him

[stevecanuck16]

Can't say I didn't see this coming, but I'm sad to see it officially announced. My favourite player of all time, who made me proud to be a Canuck fan. It's a real shame he never got his name on the cup, but he still had one hell of a career. Thanks for everything, Trev.

[GIANTSFAN]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Stand up player and unquestioned team leader. He will be missed. Any idea on if he will stay head of the players association?

I belive he resigned after the lockout.

[jkidd]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Stand up player and unquestioned team leader. He will be missed. Any idea on if he will stay head of the players association?

Isn't that Eric Lindros's job now?

[TheMetalChick]

All this talk about him being a great leader... in Vancouver, sure- but he was without a doubt the most half-***sed, ****tiest Captain in Islanders history. And yes that includes Yashin and Kenny Jonsson. they may or may not have been good captains but at least they gave a crap.

I really do try to appreciate this "great guy" and "oh what a leader" stuff because that what he was- for THEM- but here on LI, he was a heartless and unconcerned player who (1) accepted a Captaincy that he didnt even care about in the slightest and then (2) proceded to **** on that honor. Respectable leaders just dont DO that kind of thing. But Linden did. He left his heart in Vancouver, came here, was a heartless unconcerned Captain, let the team fall apart, and then left the mess he helped make.

The man that Vancouver fans see is not all he is.

Think about Messier, Vancouver fans. you know how you guys feel when you read about what a GRRRREAT leader he is? Thats how we feel when we read about Linden. Difference is, Linden was an even ****tier captain on the Islanders than Messier was in Vacouver. And oddly enough, it was talking place at the same time.

The Islanders traded players like McCabe and Bertuzzi for him- and what did they have to show for it? NOTHING... except team morale in the ****ter, plummeting attendance, and an awful record.

So- good riddance to a player who Captained the Islanders to their lowest point in team history.... in every way imaginable.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by jkidd

Isn't that Eric Lindros's job now?

Idk. i am just curious because it seemed he did a good job and the players seemed to like having him be their voice.

[BrianTheAdsFan]

Quite the counter-point there MetalChick. Any other Isles fans share this view?