Trevor Linden Introduced As New Canucks President

Only one day after the announcement of firing GM Mike Gillis, Vancouver Canucks named Trevor Linden as their new President of Hockey Operations. What would he bring to this hockey town after a dreadful season failing to make the playoffs? Why would he walk into such a situation?

As the all-time leader of game played and former captain of the franchise, Linden has been away from the NHL since retiring after the 2007-08 season and has focused on private business ventures, his fitness centres. He said he enjoyed his time away from hockey, but the time was right to make a return.

“Through my 20 years as a player, 15 years with the NHLPA and my more recent work in growing and leading a private business, I believe I’m ready for this challenge. I’m young, I’m passionate about this team, and I want to win, just like the Canuck fans do.” Said Linden at the press conference on April 9.

Linden was drafted second overall by the Canucks in 1988 and named team captain at age 21 and led the team to the 1994 Stanley Cup final, where Vancouver lost in seven games to the New York Rangers. He played 19 seasons in his careers, mostly with the Canucks. The 43-year-old man scored 375 goals and added 492 assists in 1,382 career NHL games. He also served as president of the NHL Players’ Association for eight years.