Trevor Linden is coming to town. Ironically, at a time when National Hockey League owners and players are asking for more, he is here to give.
Linden is on a mini-tour sponsored by First Insurance and Westview Agencies to give Powell River fans a terrific chance to get up close and personal with the Vancouver Canucks’ most famous captain.
In fact, Linden was the Canucks’ youngest captain ever and during his watch the team rattled off back-to-back Smythe Division titles and made the playoffs for six straight seasons.
He led the team to within a goal post of a Stanley Cup in game seven of the 1994 series and scored twice playing with broken ribs and torn rib cartilage during the run.
The Canucks shared Linden briefly with other franchises as he touched down with New York Islanders, Montreal Canadians and Washington Capitals before finishing his career in Vancouver.
Linden’s numbers include 867 points in 1,382 games and 99 points in 124 playoff games, but those statistics are just a measure of the man who has done so many immeasurable things for British Columbians.
His prodigious off-ice efforts for community charity organizations are unmatched and he continues to work tirelessly to raise funds and lift the spirits of those in need.
His list of contributions to sport and humanity earned him the Order of British Columbia in 2003 and Order of Canada in 2008 and he continues his work through his Trevor Linden Foundation.
His busy schedule in Powell River includes a visit to Powell River Kings’ hockey game on Friday, October 19 and the excitement is already building.
“I think it’s one of the most exciting events since the Green Men were here last year,” said Kings’ marketing manager Elise Statham. “We really hope that the community comes out to support the local hockey game and to see one of the Canuck greats.”
Linden takes the red carpet to centre ice at 7:20 pm and there he’ll speak for a few minutes to fans before dropping the puck to get the game underway against Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Prior to the ceremony Linden will stop in for a visit in the Kings’ dressing room.
Teagan Waugh was a big fan of Linden and anxiously awaits the opportunity to meet one of his heroes.
“He was one of my favourite players growing up and I was a huge Canuck fan,” said the Kings’ captain, who would love to talk to Linden about leadership.
“I’d like to ask him how he talks in the room, without the coaches in there, to get the guys motivated,” he said, “how much he talks or if he just tries to lead by example.”
Mike Brophy wrote in The Hockey News that Linden’s conviction and determination helped him to excel, rather than his skill.
Waugh likens himself to the same type of player saying, “You want to win your one-on-one battles, not make turnovers, and do the small things like blocking shots. It goes a long way.”
Kings have had their share of great community players including Mark McKamey, Hobey Baker Humanitarian Award winner Ethan Cox and Waugh and anyone can bet that Linden had an influence on them all.
Role models like Linden are what is needed in the world of hockey.
