Markus Naslund

The Canucks' franchise leader in goals and points, and a three-time first-team All-Star.

via Wikipedia: Markus Näslund · see source

Markus Näslund is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player who spent 12 years with the Vancouver Canucks, including a team-record 8 as captain. He led the Canucks in scoring for 7 seasons, was a first-team All-Star three times (2002, 2003, 2004), won the Lester B. Pearson Award in 2003, and was runner-up for the Hart, Art Ross, and Rocket Richard Trophies in 2003. He received the Cyclone Taylor Trophy as the Canucks' most valuable player five times and the Cyrus H. McLean Trophy as the leading point-scorer for seven consecutive seasons—both club records—en route to becoming the franchise leader in goals and points. In December 2010, he became the third Canucks player to have his jersey retired, joining Stan Smyl and Trevor Linden.

Quick Facts

Born

30 July 1973

Birthplace

Örnsköldsvik, Sweden

Position

Left wing

Shoots

Left

Played for

Modo Hockey
Pittsburgh Penguins
Vancouver Canucks
New York Rangers

Draft

16th overall

Drafted by

Pittsburgh Penguins

Lore & Background

Näslund was traded to the Vancouver Canucks on 20 March 1996 in exchange for forward Alek Stojanov—a deal that would be regarded as one of the most lopsided in NHL history once Näslund displayed his full offensive capabilities. Stojanov went on to play just 45 games, scoring two goals and four assists for the Penguins over the next two seasons, becoming a career minor-leaguer who retired by age 29, while Näslund would eventually play 884 games with the Canucks in 12 seasons. With the Canucks, Näslund led the team in scoring for 7 seasons, was thrice first team All-Star (2002, 2003, 2004), a Lester B. Pearson Award recipient in 2003, and runner-up for the Hart, Art Ross, and Rocket Richard Trophies in 2003.

Reader's Guide

Näslund was born to Sture and Ulla Näslund on 30 July 1973 in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. The city has produced numerous NHL players, including Peter Forsberg, the Sedin twins, and Victor Hedman, earning it the nickname 'Hockeytown of Sweden.' Näslund grew up idolizing local legend Peter Forsberg and honed his skills on outdoor rinks where winter darkness forced him to develop an almost supernatural sense of the puck. He began his professional career with Modo Hockey, the same club that launched Forsberg and the Sedins, before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round (16th overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.

Did You Know?

Näslund holds the World Junior record for most goals scored in a single tournament, scoring 13 in 1993—a mark that still stands today.
He was traded to Vancouver in exchange for Alek Stojanov, a deal regarded as one of the most lopsided in NHL history—Stojanov scored just 6 points in 45 games for Pittsburgh, while Näslund became a franchise icon.