Keynote: Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden, a retired Canadian professional hockey player who played 19 seasons in the NHL splitting time with the Montreal Canadians, New York Islanders, Washington Capitals and most notably with the Vancouver Canucks. Known in Vancouver as “Captain Canuck” a true leader and icon in the organization lead the Vancouver Canucks to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994. Linden was recognized throughout his career as a leader on and off the ice. At the age of 21 he was named the captain of the Canucks making him one of the youngest captains in league history. During his career he had the opportunity to represent Canada on the 1998 Canadian Olympic Team as well as in 1996 in the World Cup of Hockey. Twenty years to the day after he was drafted into the NHL he retired, on June 11, 2008. On December 17, 2008 the Vancouver Canucks retired Linden’s jersey number 16, which was only the second number retired by the team.
Off the ice, Trevor Linden was active in the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA), in 1998 he was elected the president of the NHLPA, he held this position for 8 years. During those 8 years an NHL lockout occurred in 2004-2005 halting all games played for an entire year. As president of the NHLPA, Linden played a vital role in renegotiating contracts with League owners. Linden not only played a huge role in the NHLPA, but had taken active roles in many different charities. Working manly with children in the BC Children’s Hospital and at Canucks Place inspired Trevor to create the Trevor Linden Foundation in 1998. Trevor’s foundation raises money for local charities as well as holds an annual golf tournament as a fundraiser for the BC Children’s Hospital. His charitable work off the ice definitely had not gone un-noticed as he had been the recipient of the King Clancy Memorial trophy in 1997 as well as the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2008. Finally with all of Trevor’s leadership, community involvement and sportsmanship on and off the ice it was announced that he was to be invested as a Member of the Order in Canada.
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