Hi there,
I am just sitting here relaxing on this Rememberance Day drinking my morning coffee. I have a rather simple childish question for all of you Vancouver Canuck fans.
Who are your peraonal favorite Canucks of all time?
Alright to start off, here are mine.
1. Pavel Bure - The Russian Rocket was the most exciting player ever imo. Everytime he touched the puck he did something that brought fans out of their seats. A constant threat to get a breakaway due to his world class first step acceleration. Bure would of been deadly in today's NHL, rather than playing in the clutch and grab era. I idolized Bure and was heartbroken when he was traded to Florida. Will always be my alltime favorite Canuck.
2. Kirk McLean - A very shy me at the age of 9 met captain Kirk in Langley and Willowbrook Chrysler. Mr. McLean was very kind and polite. On the ice I loved McLean's get up, he was the coolest looking goalie out there. His gear was wonderfully matched and his helmet was awesome. McLean was very good at handling the puck. His standup style made stopping pucks look easier than it was. McLean was incredible in the 94 playoffs, making what is well known as "The Save", which was the beginning of a magical playoff journey. McLean was stellar those playoffs and will always be my favorite Canuck goaltender.
3. Trevor Linden - I waited in line to meet Mr. Linden for 2.5 hours, and let me tell you he was well worth the wait. When we finally got to Trev, he signed a jersey and two photographs for me. I was wearing my authentic black 94 playoffs Linden jersey at the time "which I didn't want to get signed", when suddenly Mr. Linden grabbed me by the shoulders, spun me and signed the 1 in 16 lol. I had a good laugh and chatted with him for about 5 minutes before I went on my way. On the ice I appreciated the leadership and professionalism that Linden brought to the Canucks. When the game mattered most, Linden always seemed to step up his game. Scoring the only 2 goals in game 7 vs the Rangers, Linden was broken by a chapshot from Messier in game 6 but still seemed to dominate in the final game. The famous line "You know he will play, he'll play on crutches" will forever be etched in my mind.
4. Mattias Ohlund - I remember watching the 94 draft when the Canucks drafted Ohlund 13th overall. The big Swede looked like a man already although he was just 18. I loved Ohlund, such a good defenseman at both ends of the ice. A unfortunate eye injury set Ohlund back a bit, but playing with one eye Ohlund was still one of the most dominant defenseman the Canucks have ever had. I loved the bone crunching hits Ohlie laid out, he was reliable at at both ends of the ice.
5. Roberto Luongo - Luongo was already my favorite goaltender in the league before joining the Canucks. On June 23 "My wife's birthday", Luongo and Krajicek were traded to the Canucks for Bertuzzi, Alex Auld, and Bryan Allen, which immediately turned into my birthday. I was ecstatic because I knew the Canucks just performed highway robbery by getting one of the best goaltenders in the league. Roberto Luongo held together a Canucks team who had a whole lot of problems scoring, and really had no business going anywhere. I'll always remember the insane playoffs series against Dallas where Luongo and Turco stood on their heads. Luongo is the best goaltender in franchise history and still one of my favorites today.
6. Jyrki Lumme - Lumme was such a beautiful skater. The way he effortlessly brought the puck out of his own zone, dancing through oncoming forecheckers was mesmerizing. The pesky Finn was a beauty and was excellent at both ends of the ice.
7. Quinn Hughes - Probably a little early to be on the list, but heck by the end of his career Hughes will easily make my top 5. Already the best defenseman the franchise has ever had, Hughes is a magician with the puck. His skating is elite, effortlessly weaving through oncoming attackers. Hughes makes it look so easy. Probably the most exciting player on the Canucks since Bure. I am honored to be able to watch him in a Canucks jersey, and I'm looking forward to seeing more magic from this young stud. Truly an amazing player.
8. Todd Bertuzzi - For 3 seasons Bertuzzi was the most physically imposing and dominant power forward in all of hockey. The 6'3 hulking winger was the physical force on the best line in hockey, The Westcoast Express. Bertuzzi was insane in the slot. Whether he was tipping pucks, or making a sweet dipsy doodle for a goal, Bert was always entertaining. Will always remember Bert killing the Blues "particularly Barrett Jackman" in the playoffs. Bert was nearly impossible to move out of the crease. One of the most exciting Canucks ever.
9. Markus Naslund - Loved Markus as a player. The Captain was very quiet on the ice but lead the Canucks with his on ice play rather than words. One of the best snipers in Canucks history, loved watching Nazzy consistently snipe the corners. Probably would of been higher on my list if Naslund were able to step it up in the playoffs but Nazzy always seemed to leave me wanting more. Winner of the Lester B. Pearson trophy, I will always remember Nazzy coming up short on the last day of the season to his longtime buddy Peter Forsberg for the Art Ross. Easily the most lopsided trade in favor for the Canucks in their history, when the Canucks sent rugged winger Alek Stojanov to the Pens for Naslund. Amazing trade.
10. Gino Odjick - Gino, Gino, Gino. A fighter who fought anything and everything that moved, until eventually the fan favorite lost his fight to a rare disease that attacks the heart (RIP). Gino was a beloved teammate and besty to Bure. Not only being Bure's protector, Gino was a heart and soul player who would do what was ever needed on the ice to win. I'll always remember when Gino fought the entire Blues team. Adam Creighton looked terrified when he was lined up to the Manawiki brawler. Glenn Anderson straight up ran away lol. Gino's penalty shot goal against Mike Vernon will always be a classic aswell.
Runner ups
The Sedins
Sami Salo
Geoff Courtnall
Ryan Kesler
Rick Rypein
Elias Pettersson
I am interested in hearing who your favorites are, and memories that you had of them?
Thankyou
I am just sitting here relaxing on this Rememberance Day drinking my morning coffee. I have a rather simple childish question for all of you Vancouver Canuck fans.
Who are your peraonal favorite Canucks of all time?
Alright to start off, here are mine.
1. Pavel Bure - The Russian Rocket was the most exciting player ever imo. Everytime he touched the puck he did something that brought fans out of their seats. A constant threat to get a breakaway due to his world class first step acceleration. Bure would of been deadly in today's NHL, rather than playing in the clutch and grab era. I idolized Bure and was heartbroken when he was traded to Florida. Will always be my alltime favorite Canuck.
2. Kirk McLean - A very shy me at the age of 9 met captain Kirk in Langley and Willowbrook Chrysler. Mr. McLean was very kind and polite. On the ice I loved McLean's get up, he was the coolest looking goalie out there. His gear was wonderfully matched and his helmet was awesome. McLean was very good at handling the puck. His standup style made stopping pucks look easier than it was. McLean was incredible in the 94 playoffs, making what is well known as "The Save", which was the beginning of a magical playoff journey. McLean was stellar those playoffs and will always be my favorite Canuck goaltender.
3. Trevor Linden - I waited in line to meet Mr. Linden for 2.5 hours, and let me tell you he was well worth the wait. When we finally got to Trev, he signed a jersey and two photographs for me. I was wearing my authentic black 94 playoffs Linden jersey at the time "which I didn't want to get signed", when suddenly Mr. Linden grabbed me by the shoulders, spun me and signed the 1 in 16 lol. I had a good laugh and chatted with him for about 5 minutes before I went on my way. On the ice I appreciated the leadership and professionalism that Linden brought to the Canucks. When the game mattered most, Linden always seemed to step up his game. Scoring the only 2 goals in game 7 vs the Rangers, Linden was broken by a chapshot from Messier in game 6 but still seemed to dominate in the final game. The famous line "You know he will play, he'll play on crutches" will forever be etched in my mind.
4. Mattias Ohlund - I remember watching the 94 draft when the Canucks drafted Ohlund 13th overall. The big Swede looked like a man already although he was just 18. I loved Ohlund, such a good defenseman at both ends of the ice. A unfortunate eye injury set Ohlund back a bit, but playing with one eye Ohlund was still one of the most dominant defenseman the Canucks have ever had. I loved the bone crunching hits Ohlie laid out, he was reliable at at both ends of the ice.
5. Roberto Luongo - Luongo was already my favorite goaltender in the league before joining the Canucks. On June 23 "My wife's birthday", Luongo and Krajicek were traded to the Canucks for Bertuzzi, Alex Auld, and Bryan Allen, which immediately turned into my birthday. I was ecstatic because I knew the Canucks just performed highway robbery by getting one of the best goaltenders in the league. Roberto Luongo held together a Canucks team who had a whole lot of problems scoring, and really had no business going anywhere. I'll always remember the insane playoffs series against Dallas where Luongo and Turco stood on their heads. Luongo is the best goaltender in franchise history and still one of my favorites today.
6. Jyrki Lumme - Lumme was such a beautiful skater. The way he effortlessly brought the puck out of his own zone, dancing through oncoming forecheckers was mesmerizing. The pesky Finn was a beauty and was excellent at both ends of the ice.
7. Quinn Hughes - Probably a little early to be on the list, but heck by the end of his career Hughes will easily make my top 5. Already the best defenseman the franchise has ever had, Hughes is a magician with the puck. His skating is elite, effortlessly weaving through oncoming attackers. Hughes makes it look so easy. Probably the most exciting player on the Canucks since Bure. I am honored to be able to watch him in a Canucks jersey, and I'm looking forward to seeing more magic from this young stud. Truly an amazing player.
8. Todd Bertuzzi - For 3 seasons Bertuzzi was the most physically imposing and dominant power forward in all of hockey. The 6'3 hulking winger was the physical force on the best line in hockey, The Westcoast Express. Bertuzzi was insane in the slot. Whether he was tipping pucks, or making a sweet dipsy doodle for a goal, Bert was always entertaining. Will always remember Bert killing the Blues "particularly Barrett Jackman" in the playoffs. Bert was nearly impossible to move out of the crease. One of the most exciting Canucks ever.
9. Markus Naslund - Loved Markus as a player. The Captain was very quiet on the ice but lead the Canucks with his on ice play rather than words. One of the best snipers in Canucks history, loved watching Nazzy consistently snipe the corners. Probably would of been higher on my list if Naslund were able to step it up in the playoffs but Nazzy always seemed to leave me wanting more. Winner of the Lester B. Pearson trophy, I will always remember Nazzy coming up short on the last day of the season to his longtime buddy Peter Forsberg for the Art Ross. Easily the most lopsided trade in favor for the Canucks in their history, when the Canucks sent rugged winger Alek Stojanov to the Pens for Naslund. Amazing trade.
10. Gino Odjick - Gino, Gino, Gino. A fighter who fought anything and everything that moved, until eventually the fan favorite lost his fight to a rare disease that attacks the heart (RIP). Gino was a beloved teammate and besty to Bure. Not only being Bure's protector, Gino was a heart and soul player who would do what was ever needed on the ice to win. I'll always remember when Gino fought the entire Blues team. Adam Creighton looked terrified when he was lined up to the Manawiki brawler. Glenn Anderson straight up ran away lol. Gino's penalty shot goal against Mike Vernon will always be a classic aswell.
Runner ups
The Sedins
Sami Salo
Geoff Courtnall
Ryan Kesler
Rick Rypein
Elias Pettersson
I am interested in hearing who your favorites are, and memories that you had of them?
Thankyou
