The hockey chapter closes for Linden

Sigh. Well, we all knew that it was coming but it was still a bittersweet moment to watch. I doubt there was a dry eye in the house (or in BC) as the blue and white banner with Linden's number 16 was raised to the rafters of GM Place.

Here are the highlights of the ceremony honouring Trevor Linden on cbc.

I suppose it was all very proper and tasteful but as with all official ceremonies, I yearned for the personal aspect. The closest that came was Shorty's little pre-introduction to Mattias Ohlund, Willie Mitchell and Roberto Luongo (at around 5:00 on the video below).

Shorty: "I should say first of all actually when Trevor retired, he left behind a roommate and one of the saddest sights this year has been watching Mattias Ohlund mope around like a lost puppy dog on the road."

Mattias: "... we were roommates for a lot of years, seven years and we had a lot of fun together and it's been a tough year without you buddy."

Hockey Season is upon us

Welcome back from the summer everyone!

STill looks like we'll be heading into the season without a skilled and competitive team. Sigh. I'll send out apologies to Luongo, the players, the soon to be named Captain, and even Vigneault for all of the flack that they'll get for not being able to win. *roll eyes*

Looks like marketing is heading the media off at the pass by announcing Trevor Linden news right off the bat. Who can stay mad at having NO TEAM when Trevor's nearby. We love you Trevor! Trevor Linden's #16 is heading to the rafters where it belongs!

Don't want to deal with the future of the Canucks? Me neither.

Thursday's game had me in tears. I think if I'd been at home watching the Calgary game, I would have been bawling then too. Instead, Rock Band and friends kept me from witnessing the game deteriorating from a 4-1 Calgary score to a dismal 7-1. (Un)fortunately, I missed the whole fan tribute to Linden. Anyway, here are the good parts.. with Canucks players' commentary. Have your tissues ready!



It's a media hayday right now, feasting on what went wrong, who to blame, what changes are going to come and what lies in store for Linden, Naslund and Morrison. Isn't it a little too soon to be delving into those sore areas? Shouldn't everyone be allowed some healing time first?

It's all about Trevor Linden baby

Last night's 6-2 game against the Flames was such a relief. I don't think there's a Canucks player that everybody loves more than Trevor Linden. So when it comes down to it, who cares about the Canucks, it's TREVOR LINDEN that we want to win the Stanley Cup!

I cry for Brendan Morrison, Lukas Krajicek and Aaron Miller who all look out like they're out for the season. The only ones that we can maybe look forward to getting back are Mattias Ohlund and Mason Raymond. Last heard, the earliest Mason could be back is the 2nd playoff round. Mattias Ohlund's recovery is going better than anticipated. (Doesn't it always with Mattias) He's been skating and is aiming to be back as soon as the first game of the post season.

Hey Mattias, did you know you're on Jim Robson's LIST??

Josh Plummer's interview of Jim Robson had some interesting tidbits:

Jim: I don't think there is a set criteria for retiring a player's number. Look at all the players the great Montreal Canadiens have honoured. I think the next Canuck number to be retired should be Trevor Linden's #16. I don't think a player has to play his whole career with one team but longtime service should count for a lot. The Canucks have yet to have a Hall of Famer, so I don't expect many retired numbers.

Jim: I was afraid you would ask for my "All-time Canucks" (laughs) The list has changed somewhat over the years and I always have a problem with it. It’s difficult to compare eras. But here goes.

GOAL: Roberto Luongo gave the Canucks the finest single season in team history and he'll probably become the Canuck's all-time best but considering longtime service, I would currently go with Kirk McLean.

DEFENCE: I think Mattias Ohlund is the best defenceman the Canucks have ever had. My second defenceman is tougher to pick. As much as I admire Harold Snepsts and Doug Lidster, I think I would go with Jyrki Lumme.

CENTER: Much like defence, the Canucks have never had a dominant offensive player at this position.(Discounting Mark Messier, who only had three years in Vancouver near the end of his great career) I would still pick Thomas Gradin as the Canuck's best all-time center.

LEFT WING: No question here; it's Markus Naslund, who will soon own most, if not all, of Vancouver's scoring records.

RIGHT WING: The Canucks have been blessed with some very good right wingers, including all-time favourite character players like Stan Smyl and Trevor Linden but my choice still has to be Pavel Bure. For my money, he’s the best player the Canucks have ever had. The fans who booed him when he left town forgot what great thrills, skills & excitement he provided.

Trevor Linden, we love you!

Iain MacIntyre's article was a tear jerker.

We better win the Cup this year for Trevor.

All Canucks fans should think positive thoughts for the Canucks to win the Cup this year. If this is going to be Trevor Linden's year, then this better damn well be the year we win the Stanley Cup. If anyone deserves to hold up the Cup, it's Trevor Linden!!! :'(

Wanna buy a Trevor Linden condo?

Here's an old interview with Trevor Linden exploring his side project as a condo developer.

On a developers note, here's a little bit on view cones, (if you're not an engineer, city planner, city councillor or architect). They are height and location restrictions imposed by the City to preserve the beauty of the Vancouver skyline. Unfortunately, city council approved the intrusion of the Queen Elizabeth view cone in '96 for the One Wall Center. The Shangri-La, on the other hand, was able to go through on a technicality - it was designed on a triangular base so as to bypass the view cone restriction.

Trevor's cycling summer

Dusted off my jersey yesterday in preparation for the season! Still not so much news on the Canucks yet as they're still in Victoria training. I found an NHL.com article on Trevor Linden though (with a couple of photos).

From the article on Luongo on there, here's a cute little quote:

So does anything scare Luongo?

"I would say heights," he said, blushing a little. "I never go on roller coasters. I'd never try sky-diving. I get scared of heights."