In an age of Twitter, cover bands and knock-offs, Trevor Linden changed the trend with an original, personal and close contact visit with his fans in Powell River.
From full access in the press conference to photo ops with babies during street hockey, he gave his admirers memories to cherish for a long time.
After a similar tour in Courtenay on Thursday, National Hockey League’s (NHL) Captain Canuck crossed the Strait of Georgia on Friday, October 19 under skies that threatened to rain on his parade.
Powell River and the sun came shining through, however, just in time for youngsters to play some street hockey with the BC Hall of Famer.
Brandon Clements was one of the lucky participants who said, “My mom was listening to the radio and she was the first caller so I got in. He’s an NHL superstar and this is great.”
Another young player, Connor Casparie, eagerly awaited his turn to face Linden but was unaware that he would become the brunt of a joke later.
Under a Boston Bruins cap, Casparie said, “I’ve been looking forward to this for a week or so.”
Linden kidded in his presentation, later Friday afternoon, that when he saw Casparie’s hat, “I sent him to the penalty box for the rest of the game.”
At a packed Evergreen Theatre, Linden remained consistent when he polled the crowd for fans of other NHL teams and dealt a few good-natured shots.
At that venue, a brief introduction of First Group of Companies, Westview Agencies and First Insurance staff, together with support from Intact Insurance, was followed by 45 minutes of Linden.
His delivery was slick, informative and filled with hilarious anecdotes from his days with Vancouver Canucks.
Linden was drafted second overall in 1988 behind Mike Modano, and when he joined the Canucks he recalled finding veteran Harold Snepst enjoying a cigarette before the game and thinking, “So this is the NHL.”
He was the youngest Canuck captain ever at 21 and during his 20-year career saw changes not just on the ice but also in the dressing room.
Stationary bikes went from two shrouded in cobwebs to a complete state-of-the-art exercise facility; beverage carts that were once laden with beer are now energy drinks accompanied by a fully catered buffet of healthy food.
“It’s all driven by competition,” he said, “even within our own team where guys on the third line want to be on the second line, second line want to be on the first line, everyone wants more ice time.”
Daily competition, a growing generation gap and gradual wear and tear on his body contributed to Linden’s thoughts of retirement.
Other more subtle incidents also contributed to his decision.
He talked about his aging process and bristled at references to being called, “a grizzled old veteran and old warrior.”
He admitted he knew it was time to go when young players said, “You were my mom’s favourite player.”
He ended his talk with a humorous story about enforcer W. Gino Odjick, an Algonquin native and Canuck teammate.
It was before a game against Edmonton Oilers in 1991 at the old Coliseum when the United States, Iraq and its ruler, Saddam Hussein, were in the news every minute of every day.
Linden and Odjick were lined up side by side during the national anthem and both were staring at a massive sign at the end of the rink that said: “Even Saddam couldn’t take Gino.”
“I’m thinking until the anthem ends, hmm okay,” remembered Linden, “then Gino nudges me and says, ‘Hey, Linden, what number is that Saddam guy?”
The audience roared with laughter and then rose to give him his third standing ovation of the afternoon.
As happy fans filed out of the theatre, one of them, Brendan Maguire said, “It was an honour to get to listen to my favourite Canuck. He was a great role model, not just on the ice but off the ice as well, and he received the Order of Canada, not just because he was a great player but a great Canadian.”
No rest for great Canadians, though, as Linden had a very brief break before he joined Powell River Kings in their dressing room prior to the game against Cowichan Valley Capitals.
He had the attention of every King, but Captain Teagan Waugh’s eyes were glued to his favourite Canuck.
“He gave us a real good speech,” said Waugh, “and said most of the same things Kent [Lewis] would say so the same thing goes on in the NHL as it does at this level. Everyone respects him and knows him so it was a real privilege having him come in and talk to us.”
Linden briefly touched on the current NHL lockout saying, “In ’04 it was more idealogical and philosophical where back then it was two different languages and the system was the big issue. This time it’s not about the system, it’s about how much of the pie one or the other is going to get. It’s a straight-on dollar amount,” he said. “That’s all it is.”
That’s what made the day in Powell River so special. It was all about road hockey, some laughs and lots of fun for everyone.
