MISTY EYES AT TREVOR LINDEN’S RETIREMENT NIGHT
Last night was the single greatest, most meaningful moment to me in Canucks history. My favourite player, my hero, my captain, and my role model had his #16 lifted to the skies and retired forever. So many people have had so many amazing things to say about Trevor Linden over the past week, so I’ll try not to be too repetitive here.
You can read this post about how Trevor Linden and the Canucks have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I got the chance to meet Trevor a couple years ago, and I can honestly say that he is just as kind and handsome in person as everyone’s made him out to be. Thanks for taking the time to sign my jersey, Trevor. You always had time for the fans.
Despite my best efforts to get tickets on Ticketmaster for this game, there weren’t any available even when they were advertised to go on sale. So I ended up having to buy them from scalpers back in September. It was worth every penny. I could only afford to go to one game this year, and this was THE game. I thought the #16 pins they were handing out at the gates at GM Place were a nice touch. I’m going to treasure mine forever.
GM Place really lit up nicely with the old Canucks colours. I still miss the old jerseys and the old colours. We were sitting 3 rows from the ice to the right of the goalies and it was a great view.
Linden imagery was everywhere, including the sides of the stadium.
Gino Odjick and other teammates showed up to pay tribute to Linden, but I cheered the loudest for Gino.
All the current Canucks players were wearing #16 jerseys for the ceremony and the warm up. What a cool sight to see.
Linden was given a Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing gift from his teammates. All I can say is… JEALOUS!!!!!!!!
Linden’s speech was incredible. What a stand up, classy guy. He somehow managed to make a night all about him, to a night all about his friends, family and fans. Somehow he turned around the spotlight on him, to a thank you to everyone around him. I was misty-eyed the whole night, but the tears started forming near the end of his speech. I have to admit I was really bawling by the time his number was being raised to the rafters.
There ceremony ended, and I’m sure many others like myself found it hard to switch over to the fast-paced rough hockey game that ensued. It was great to see the Canucks beat the Oilers, but my heart and mind was somewhere else.
I decided to go festive and wore Canucks Christmas stockings (with the feet cut out of them) as leggings.
I wore my Linden jersey (that I custom added a ‘C’ for Captain to). I’ve never seen so many Linden jerseys at GM Place EVER! The coolest ones were the old ones from his Junior years.
Face off…
Canuck players stand up and look out over the bench at an exciting fight taking place.
I took this photo of Burrows for Amy 
This shot was taken right before the goal. Shame I wasn’t able to get the actual goal, but it’s a neat action shot.
GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a good win for the Canucks over the Oilers. What a great night overall. The folks at GM Place did a great job organizing the night… making the fans feel special and putting together something really memorable for Linden.
After the game, I stood and looked at Trevor’s number in the rafters for a while. Hanging beside Stan Smyl’s and the Canadian flag. I’m so proud to be fan of the greatest player to ever wear a Canucks jersey, and I will always cherish the memory of seeing his number raised.
I miss having Trevor to cheer for. I will always be a Canucks fan, but I can’t help but feel like it’s a little different now. I can’t help but feel a little empty without #16 on the ice.
————
In other news, the Canucks just signed Mats Sundin. I’m not stoked. I want a good Canadian player to join the Canucks. But if he helps us get the Cup, that’d be great, but I’m still not a Sundin fan. Darn, why couldn’t you have gone with Naslund to the Rangers?! He’s basically retired. He was a Leafs captain. There’s no real educated reason why I don’t want him on the Canucks. It just doesn’t feel right. Isn’t this a step backwards? Doesn’t it feels like we just got rid of a Naslund-like character? *sigh* Didn’t we already go through this with Messier? I know there will be a lot of opposing opinions… Anyway. From Linden to Sundin. Times are definitely a’changing’.
Mats Sundin, Photo Credit: Canucks.com
Tags: #16, Burrows, Christmas Stockings, December 17th 2008, Edmonton Oilers, Gino Odjick, GM Place, Jersey, Mats Sundin, Photography, Rafters, Raising, Retirement Ceremony, Stan Smyl, Trevor Linden, Vancouver Canucks
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December 18th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Nice Linden post. I wasn’t in town to see it so all I got is what I saw on the highlights. Thank you for the photos and some insight as to what happened at GM Place.
As for Sundin, I’m all for it. Yeah he’s not Canadian, but he plays like one
Also we needed a centre to complete our first line. Now we have 4 solid lines, great defense (if Salo doesn’t keep getting hurt :S) and great goaltending (Come back Lou!!). I don’t think we’ll see Messier part 2 here. Lets hope i’m correct on this one.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Okay, I want YOUR seats! Mine are row 11 in the upper deck where the beer is cheap and the game is a rumour …
Great photos, I’ve borrowed one to add to an interview I just did with Trevor.
http://www.buzzbishop.com/blog/2008/12/18/interview-trevor-linden-jersey-retirement/?preview=true&preview_id=1241&preview_nonce=26e308ce80
December 18th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Wow great Linden post Allie!
I remember the days of Gino! I had his jersey (not sure where it went to) and I’ve meet a few of them before too. I have Linden’s autograph on a card somewhere too..
One day I’ll get to go to a game again even it #16 isnt playing any more.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
We here in Toronto are also upset about the Sundin situation. Last season he refused to waive his no-trade clause (which he had a right to do, of course), but he said that he didn’t want to only spend part of a season with a team and then win a Cup with them. He didn’t want to be a rental player. So now he is joining the Canucks as a rental player this season instead of last. Feels a bit dishonest.
The difference now is that he is a bit older and the Leafs don’t get any picks or prospects in return. He has now tarnished what could have been a legendary status in Toronto.
He can be a dominant player, so maybe it can work out for you out west. He’s still no Gary Roberts when it comes to the playoffs.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I was pretty excited to get the 16 pin (my LB pin is in the mail) it was a great game and great night, glad I got to experience it first hand and take pics too.
December 19th, 2008 at 6:51 am
what was really cool was that for the retirement ceremony, i could see it on rogers sportsnet (pacific edition) live. as soon as 7:30 came along and the puck was about to drop, the channel cut out and we were no longer able to receive the regional coverage for rogers sportsnet. it made me happy that the media companies were not all evil and were in fact sympathetic enough to show the retirement coverage across canada!
December 19th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
[...] Allie was lucky enough to attend Trevor Linden’s retirement night on Wednesday, documenting the experience through a photo essay of sorts. She was even lucky enough [...]
December 19th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I’m so jealous you were able to attend. I had shivers watching on TV. That’s a great pic of you with Trevor. I also have a pic with him from when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old. I’ve never played ice hockey but played many sports growing up and Trevor was a total inspiration and idol to have. Was great to see the reception, and the #16 hanging from the rafters. I will definitely pass on his story to my now 8 month old son when he is old enough to go to Canuck’s games with me!
PS. I’m also uneasy about Sundin coming to town, maybe its bad memories of Messier or something…hmmm
PPS. How was snowshoeing? I hope no twisted knees!
December 21st, 2008 at 12:33 am
I definitely agree that the Canucks just aren’t the same without Linden. I’ve been rooting him on ever since I was about 6 years old. He was the reason I was so excited to move to Vancouver. In a bittersweet way, it is fantastic that a city can celebrate a player not for his skill, but for his character. Linden will be greatly missed.
I never should have given away that old Doritos cardboard standup Linden I had.
December 21st, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Wow looks like you guys had amazing seats! It was such an amazing ceremony, a very special night for sure. So glad the boys won the game for Linden. Linden will be greatly missed.
Not sure what to say about Sundin…I guess I’ll have an opinion once he starts playing…
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Hey Girl, first of all of i love the canuck outfit with leg warmers, to sexy for a canuck game :). Second i have to comment on the Sundin thing. Sundin is most definely a welcom addition to the canucks and heres why, he signed for 5 million for the rest of the season, and as TSN posted he signed with conditions that Gillis with 3 million in cap finds a 6 million year player to help with a cup run, make no mistake sundin is here and not the rangers because Gillis has plans for another to join aswell.
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Dear UD, thanks! It was great to be there and get a chance to take some photos. You know, when I wrote this post I wasn’t feeling super stoked about Sundin, but I’ve been coming around. Especially reading your site
Buzz Bishop!, hehe I wish those were my seats permanently! Unfortunately just for the one game. Usually I sit in the upper deck too whenever I can get my hands on tickets but I couldn’t bear to be so far away from Linden on his last night
Hey thanks for featuring the photo! I’ll check out your blog.
Tyler, thank you sir! Yes Gino was definitely the best! I was so sad when he and Trevor got sent away
Josh, yeah I bet you guys would be upset about the Sundin situation! That can’t feel good being pulled through the ringer there. I agree, I think he was being a bit dishonest too. And he wanted 9 months to figure out what he wanted to do!!!
Miss604!, hey great to hear from you! I know you must have been excited!
I loved your post on it. Also, nice liveblogging!
Sandy, sucks about Sportsnet. Yeah the local/national broadcasts… ugh… tell me about it! Sometimes we’re able to get HD from national, sometimes it cuts out and we have to watch the SD local. *shakes fist*
Karl, yes it gave me shivers too! And lots and lots of tears
He’s such a great guy in person eh? 
Snowshoeing was good.. my knees held up okay but I was SUPER cold and tired. Very very tired afterwards.
Captain Geech, hey fellow goon
YOU GAVE AWAY A LINDEN STANDUP!!! HOW COULD YOU!!! I would probably have bought it off you 
Tawcan, yeah it was definitely special. I’m happy they won too… it would have been a bittersweet evening if it had gone otherwise. And the Oilers like to spoil.. I’m glad that didn’t happen
Dave, thanks! Yep I’m finally starting to come around a bit. I can’t WAIT to see what Gillis has in mind for the second player.
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