Canucks celebrate Linden's longevity
Canadian Press
10/23/2002
VANCOUVER (CP) - When he first broke into the NHL as a skinny 18-year-old who had trouble growing a beard, Trevor Linden thought anyone in the league over 30 was a senior citizen.
``I thought the guys who were 32 were 100 years old,'' the 32-year-old Vancouver Canuck centre, who now wears a neatly trimmed goatee, joked Wednesday.
``You come in and want to make your way and prove you can play. Suddenly you're in your fifth or sixth season. Then you are at 10 years, then it's 1,000 games and you're asking yourself where the time has gone.''
It wasn't surprising that when Linden played his 1,000th NHL game last March 26th he didn't want a fuss made. The Canucks were fighting for a playoff spot and he didn't want a personal achievement to become a team distraction.
The Canucks will celebrate Linden's milestone prior to Thursday night's game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. His family will be on hand for a pre-game ceremony that will include gifts from the team and league. Video tributes will be shown during breaks in the game.
Typically, Linden would rather go in the corner with Eric Lindros than receive accolades.
``I'm not one big on attention,'' said the 15-year-veteran.
``Last spring, given the situation, to interrupt that with a personal achievement was not the appropriate time. They nailed me this year. It's going to be fun. I just hope they make it short and sweet and get on with the game.''
Linden's status for the game is questionable. He's still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the season-opening game Oct. 10 against Calgary.
``There's some things that are still iffy,'' said Linden, who been skating with the club.
``We'll see.''
If Linden does dress against the Ducks it will be his 1,010th regular-season NHL game and 767th as a Canuck. Taken second overall in the 1988 draft, the Medicine Hat, Alta., native has 316 goals and 421 assists for 737 points.
As a Canuck, Linden has 259 goals and 344 assists for 602 points. He's second in team scoring, goals and assists and third in games played.
Asked to recall his favourite memories, the former Canuck captain talked about his rookie season in Vancouver; the 1994 playoffs when the Canucks lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final to the Rangers; and his first game back in Vancouver after being traded to the New York Islanders in 1998.
``When you've spent the better part of 11 years here, there are a lot of good memories,'' said Linden, voted one of the top 30 Canucks of all time.
``It's pretty special for me to be able to come back and play my 1,000th game in a Vancouver uniform and be able to celebrate it with the people.''
One of the most popular Canucks off the ice, Linden is involved in several charities, including the Trevor Linden Foundation which helps raise money for children.
Linden's popularity was like a red flag to Mike Keenan during his stint as Vancouver coach. Keenan decided to make an example and traded him to the Islanders in 1998.
``It was a difficult situation for the organization, for me, for a lot of people involved,'' Linden said.
``Difficult times and trying times makes the good times that much better.''
After stints with Montreal and Washington, Linden was traded back to Vancouver early last season.
Linden's job with the team has changed. Instead of being a goal scorer, he's now used on penalty killing, protecting leads and to win faceoffs. One of his roles this season is to play on a line with Fedor Fedorov and tutor the rookie.
His biggest contribution may be in the dressing room.
``He brings leadership,'' said captain Markus Naslund.
``It took a lot of pressure of my shoulders. He's help me a lot.''
At a time when many sports stars can be self-centred and arrogant, Linden stills seems to be thrilled that he's getting paid to play a game.
``I wouldn't change anything,'' he said.
``I appreciate the good times and you learn from (the bad) and become stronger.''
Among Thursday night's festivities will be the handing out of Trevor Linden bobblehead dolls.
``I've seen it,'' Linden said.
``Its nose is a little too straight. Frankly, it doesn't look much like me.''
Way to go Trevor
Cheers,
Aquaman