We were sitting at the kitchen table, the young hockey player and me. He was home alone, at the hockey household where he was staying. His “house mother” was the former wife of one superstar, and the mother of another. He was living in the shadow of what is still hockey’s most prolific father-son combination ever — Bobby Hull and son Brett.
Trevor Linden was 18 years old.
The interview led to his first of many features in Vancouver Canucks game programs. In those days, teenagers often were intimidated by hockey writers. Linden was comfortable, thoughtful and forthcoming. He had been a first-round draft choice, second overall, and when his rookie season ended with 30 goals, he was still 18.
Five 18-year-olds were on opening-night National Hockey League rosters, including the first two picks (New York Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer and San Jose’s Michael Misa). On the teenage bubble, they had nine games to prove they’re good enough to stay, or go back to junior. Among them was Braeden Cootes, who was also the first Canucks’ 18-year-old to start the season in the NHL since Petr Nedved in 1990, two years after Linden.
The bubble burst this week for Cootes, also a centre from Alberta and no 18-year-old version of Linden.
Few ever are.
Linden’s career fell short of matching the prowess of the Hulls, but he became (and he remains) much-loved in Vancouver, where he played 16 of his 20 seasons. It wouldn’t be a stretch to call him Captain Canuck, and he’s in most conversations about the team’s all-time greatest player.
The love affair began on his first day of employment. Linden went to training camp without a contract…also without his agent’s blessings. Just last week he was reminiscing on radio about that decision: “I wasn’t playing to get an NHL contract, I was playing to be in the NHL. I played for 20 years and I never remember it being a grind. I was always thankful for having the opportunity.”
In our first interview, in the House of Hull, he talked about being able to buy a car five years older than he was (a ‘65 Mustang) from one of his new teammates. About doing 150 sit-ups every morning and his-then four-year obsession with the gym, which continues to this day — he owns a chain of fitness centres. About the chance to be Rookie-of-the-Year (he finished second to New York defenceman Brian Leetch), being the underdog that comes with playing three time zones west from hockey central. About the first of his 375 goals, against Kelly Hrudey of the Islanders (“a power-play rebound”).
About his work ethic, something that understandably sparks love affairs with fans. Linden never lost it: “There’s nothing better than trying your hardest, and having the fans appreciate it.”
In the draft, Linden was taken after Mike Modano, a more offensively-talented centre who played all but one-half of his 22 seasons with the Dallas (nee Minnesota) Stars. Yet when Linden broke into the NHL, Modano returned to junior for another year. By the time their careers ended, Modano had Hall of Fame statistics and Linden did not.
However, for all the “Braeden Cootes” draftees, Trevor Linden is the 18-year-old model.
