Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Trevor Linden: Player for the People
There's not much more I can add to my post about Trevor Linden from a couple of months ago. Like what a lot of fans are doing today though, on the day he is set to officially announce his retirement, I'll tell you about the one and only time I met and got to talk to him.
In my nine years working at GM Place, I sometimes saw Trevor before and after games by the dressing room or even at concerts, but besides the casual "hello" never really talked to him. The time I did was actually at a Cops for Cancer fundraiser at what used to be Mavericks on the Waterfront at the Plaza of Nations. He showed up, and almost immediately, there was a large crowd of people clamoring for autographs and photos. Myself included.
Despite the number of people waiting, Trevor stood there patiently and talked to each one. My turn came up, and for whatever reason, I froze up and didn't know what to say. I mean, what do you talk about with Trevor Linden, local hero? In the end, I engaged in what I can only describe as puck bunny small talk - basically, how's the summer, looking forward to next season, hope you guys kick butt, I wuv you Trev (in a manly way) kinda small talk. Despite my mindnumbing ramblings, he stood there patiently for a few minutes and we chatted and he listened.
It's not a fancy story, but in it and from the many that we've all heard throughout his career, there's a common theme. Trevor was the kind of guy who would take the time to be with people, to be with his fans, to be with the kids at Canucks Place and BC Childrens Hospital. In this era of prima donna professional athletes, Trevor was nothing but a consummate pro. It's a shame that he never got to win the Stanley Cup; however, for many fans, not only in Vancouver or Metro Vancouver but all over this province, he's already a winner.
Thanks, Trevor.
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
In my nine years working at GM Place, I sometimes saw Trevor before and after games by the dressing room or even at concerts, but besides the casual "hello" never really talked to him. The time I did was actually at a Cops for Cancer fundraiser at what used to be Mavericks on the Waterfront at the Plaza of Nations. He showed up, and almost immediately, there was a large crowd of people clamoring for autographs and photos. Myself included.
Despite the number of people waiting, Trevor stood there patiently and talked to each one. My turn came up, and for whatever reason, I froze up and didn't know what to say. I mean, what do you talk about with Trevor Linden, local hero? In the end, I engaged in what I can only describe as puck bunny small talk - basically, how's the summer, looking forward to next season, hope you guys kick butt, I wuv you Trev (in a manly way) kinda small talk. Despite my mindnumbing ramblings, he stood there patiently for a few minutes and we chatted and he listened.
It's not a fancy story, but in it and from the many that we've all heard throughout his career, there's a common theme. Trevor was the kind of guy who would take the time to be with people, to be with his fans, to be with the kids at Canucks Place and BC Childrens Hospital. In this era of prima donna professional athletes, Trevor was nothing but a consummate pro. It's a shame that he never got to win the Stanley Cup; however, for many fans, not only in Vancouver or Metro Vancouver but all over this province, he's already a winner.
Thanks, Trevor.
______________
Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Linden
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Glen Wesley Retires and How He Still Haunts the Canucks
From TSN.ca:
Not quite yet.
Neely, of course, retired as a Bruin, but check out how the Bruins have parlayed Wesley into some good assets.
At 24, Dennis Wideman has blossomed into the Bruins' number two defenseman, averaging 25+ minutes per game and finishing 25th in scoring among all NHL defenemen; Milan Lucic is quickly reminding Bruins fans of a young Cam Neely; and Brad Marchand is thought of to be a very good prospect, especially after a successful junior career.
We may hear about "the trade" for years to come.
Some reaction from the 'Canes blogosphere:
Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
For the past decade, Glen Wesley helped shepherd the Carolina Hurricanes from homeless vagabonds in North Carolina to Stanley Cup champions.Canucks fans remember this all too well (not in a good way), but in 1986, the Canucks traded Cam Neely and a 1st round draft pick in 1987 to the Boston Bruins to acquire Barry Pederson. The Bruins used the draft pick to select Wesley. It's easily one of the worst trades in Canucks history, and now that Neely and Wesley have retired, can we finally forget it ever happened?
Now, the last remaining original Hurricane is calling it a career.
After 20 seasons in the NHL and 13 as one of the most popular faces of the Hurricanes' franchise, Wesley announced his retirement Thursday because of family reasons. The team then gave the defenceman a job in the front office and pledged to retire his No. 2 jersey.
Not quite yet.
Neely, of course, retired as a Bruin, but check out how the Bruins have parlayed Wesley into some good assets.
At 24, Dennis Wideman has blossomed into the Bruins' number two defenseman, averaging 25+ minutes per game and finishing 25th in scoring among all NHL defenemen; Milan Lucic is quickly reminding Bruins fans of a young Cam Neely; and Brad Marchand is thought of to be a very good prospect, especially after a successful junior career.
We may hear about "the trade" for years to come.
Some reaction from the 'Canes blogosphere:
- A thank you from CasonBlog
- A tribute from Canes Country
Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: hindsight is 20/20
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Shorty to Sportsnet
John sent me this tidbit from Alanah's site this afternoon.
I agree with Alanah that this is a solid move. As well, it's a natural career path for Shorty, I think. The next question is, who takes over as the play-by-play guy on TEAM 1040? (Not Dan Russell please.)
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
The departure of Jim Hughson from Sportsnet Pacific to the hallowed halls of Hockey Night in Canada at CBC has left a large hole in the broadcast landscape for Vancouver Canucks fans. But that might be changing in a matter of hours.I guess this move isn't much of a surprise. Shorty has been rumored to take over from Hughson since it was announced that Hughson would be moving full-time to CBC.
Rumors out of Sportsnet have it that John Shorthouse has agreed to a deal with the network to call all their televised Canucks games this season, while still maintaining his gig at TEAM 1040 for those games being televised on other networks.
I agree with Alanah that this is a solid move. As well, it's a natural career path for Shorty, I think. The next question is, who takes over as the play-by-play guy on TEAM 1040? (Not Dan Russell please.)
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Shorthouse
Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc
The best evidence that Luc Bourdon touched many lives in his short 21 years on this earth are the many tributes we've seen and heard in the last six days. It doesn't change the fact that he is gone, but for his family, friends and fans, surely it eases the pain to know just how much he was loved.
Perusing through the Canucks message boards, I saw the following video, a nice tribute to a good player and an even better person.
And for one more time... "Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc".
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Perusing through the Canucks message boards, I saw the following video, a nice tribute to a good player and an even better person.
And for one more time... "Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc".
______________
Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Bourdon
