The best place to start with Trevor Linden is the end.
Like most NHL players who have spent the majority of their careers with one club, he left to an encore from the fans, along with hugs and handshakes from his teammates. And, after nearly 16 seasons with the Canucks, he had given almost his entire career to the franchise.
What’s not normal is that Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla went into his locker room, called out his entire team, and lined them up to shake Linden’s hand, and offer praise for his career. Not to be outdone, Linden pulled Iginla to the side and provided the ultimate compliment.
“You’re(Iginla) the best player in the game.” He looked into Iginla’s eyes after he said that statement, before moving on to the next Flame. It was clear from the expression on his, Linden’s, face, that he meant every word.
Granted, the CBC wasn’t supposed to pick up the exchange, especially since Iginla would later play coy with a member of Hockey Night In Canada when asked about the moment. But it is audible on the three copies of the final Linden game available on Youtube. In his moment, Trevor Linden took the time to honor an opponent.
Linden’s actions in this situation are the example for the rest of his career. Even if the rest of the world didn’t know about it, Linden was going to try to do the right thing
Linden’s career of charity work is an example of this. Linden established his own group that allowed underprivileged kids to see the Vancouver Canucks. The organization, called Captain’s Crew, was originally presented by Linden to the Vancouver Canucks. Though the team thought that it was a great idea, they also believed that the project should have sponsors attached.
According to Yvonne Zacharias, Linden didn’t want to have sponsors attach names to it. At the same time, he wanted the kids to have the best of the best. And according to a post from Fanhouse, Linden fulfilled both requests.
Captain’s Crew is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Linden’s charity work. Canuck Place, a charity organization that the Canucks run for sick children, was a second home to Linden. So were local hospitals, where Linden would show up unannounced. Countless stories have emerged over the years about the time Linden would take to spend time with those in need in the community.
(Linden would always take time to speak to children.)
Though a list of his charity work could go on for the length of this space, the truth is that charity work alone will not get a number raised to the rafters. A retired number is earned in play. And Trevor Linden could play.
Linden is second in Vancouver Canucks franchise history with 733 points and 318 goals. He made the All-Rookie team. He participated in two All-Star Games, and was on the first Olympic team that allowed players from the NHL to participate.
And he was always there at the right moments. In 1991, on the last day of the season, Linden scored the goal to send the Canucks into the playoffs. In 2007, a year before he retired, it was Linden who scored the deciding goal in Game 7. But no mention of Linden is complete without the 1994 Stanley Cup run.
Linden and the rest of the Canucks battled to the Stanley Cup Final, facing a gifted New York Rangers squad. According to Cliff Ronning, despite having cracked ribs and torn rib cartilage for the last four games, Linden ensured he would play by taking needles into the injured area. He would later go on to score two goals during Game 7, a game that his team would lose, 3-2.
(The most iconic picture in Vancouver Canucks history. Note the blood on Linden's jersey)
Linden never did win a Stanley Cup. He was never a finalist for the Hart Trophy. There’s almost no chance that he ever gets in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Having his #16 retired will probably be as far as the accolades go.
But Linden didn’t bring up awards and accolades during his final speech. According to the Vancouver Sun, Linden wanted something more to be remembered by.
“I’ve always been a guy who tried to work hard and do what’s right.”
