The year was 2001. I was nine years old, about to turn ten. At this moment, I saw the need to make a very important life decision – I had to create my first email address. Since I was a child, using my real name was out of the question, but a pseudonym wasn’t. So, how about combining two things I liked? I settled on “Mukus Naslund” – combining a snot covered mouse that you could fight in an online game, and a certain Vancouver Canuck who was quickly becoming one of the pivotal players of my childhood.
I don’t think many others would use “that time I created an email address” as a way to describe Markus Naslund, but there’s certainly a group that would be able to recite a fond story about one of the most well-liked and most talented Canucks players of all time.

Career Statistcs

Memorable Moments

This is an obvious one – you can’t talk about an illustrious career without beginning with the roots, can you? There’s some fun stuff to be had here too; Naslund wearing 22, the Canucks wearing the “oh, right, it’s the 90’s” gradient version of the skate jersey, Mike “fifteen teams” Sillinger early in his stint with the Canucks, it’s just a glowing wave of nostalgia.
One of the most dominant games by any player in Canucks history – though, I mean, it was against the Atlanta Thrashers, who don’t even exist anymore. Anyway, Nazzy shows that he didn’t need to be the one putting the puck in the net to make a massive impact on a game, picking up a goal and five assists.
Technically a post-career moment, but the ceremony does a great job at addressing everything Markus was about during his time here.

Canucks Milestones

  • Most goals, all-time (346)
  • Most hat tricks, all-time (10)
  • Most powerplay goals, all-time (114)
  • Longest tenured captain (8 years)
  • Most goals and points by a left winger, single season (48G, 104 PTS, 2002/03)
  • Most goals, single game (4, twice, tied with ten others)
  • 5th most games played, all-time (884)
  • 3rd most points, all-time (756)
  • Cyclone Taylor Award (Canucks MVP) 1999, 2001-2004
  • Cyrus H. McLean Trophy (Canucks Scoring Leader) 1999-2006
  • Pavel Bure Most Exciting Player Award, 1999, 2001 
  • Molson Cup (3 Stars), 2001-2003
  • Represented Canucks on NHL First All-Star Team, 2002-2004
  • Represented Canucks at NHL All-Star Game, 1999, 2001-2004
  • Won Lester B. Pearson Award, 2003
  • Represented Sweden as member of Canucks, World Championship, 1996, 1999, 2002
  • Represented Sweden as member of Canucks, World Cup, 1996, 2004
  • Represented Sweden as member of Canucks, Olympic Games, 2002
  • Represented Canucks on cover of EA Sports NHL 2005

Legacy

Naslund bridged the gap between the two biggest “peaks” in Canucks history. While his team’s didn’t get quite as close to the promised land as the 1994 and 2011 ones did, Naslund joined the team in one of the most lopsided trades in hockey history (sorry, Alek “two goals” Stojanov) and quickly established himself as both an elite forward and as a leader in the dressing room. By his third full season, he had become the team’s top offensive forward, and was their captain by his fourth.
He never quite looked back, either. Partnering up with Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrison, the West Coast Express became one of the most feared lines in both the league at the time and in the history of the Canucks, which was pivotal in bringing the team out of the depths of mediocrity and back into the conversation as league powerhouses.
Before Naslund departed in the summer of 2008, he managed to leave a lasting impression on the rapidly developing core around him. The Sedins were destined to be great, but with a “local” to learn from in Naslund, they blossomed into some of the league’s elite. Guys like Alex Burrows, Ryan Kesler, Alexander Edler, and Kevin Bieksa learned about the level of professionalism and work ethic they would need to take their games to the next level, and it paid off for them. Many Canucks carried on his philanthropic endeavors too – like many before him, Naslund was no stranger to the community.
It’s a shame that the team never truly made a run with Naslund at the helm, but at the end of the day, he’s still one of the best players to ever wear the jersey, and set up the generation that followed for an even greater opportunity.