On today’s edition of Canucks Mount Rushmore, we’re diving into the careers of the best wingers from past and present to ever don a Canuck jersey.
Pavel Bure
Pavel Bure, aka “The Russian Rocket,” was one of the most electrifying players in NHL history, and his time with the Vancouver Canucks made him a legend. Drafted 113th overall by the Canucks in 1989, Bure instantly showcased speed, skill, and a natural goal-scoring ability that set him apart as one of the most exciting players ever to grace the ice.
Bure made an immediate impact upon joining the Canucks in 1991, winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie with 60 points in just 65 games – the first Canuck in history to win the award. His explosive speed and ability to make jaw-dropping plays turned him into a fan favourite almost overnight. Bure followed up his rookie season with back-to-back 60-goal campaigns in 1992-93 and 1993-94, marking another first in Canucks history. His 60 goals in 1993-94 remain a franchise record for most goals in a single season.
Bure’s most memorable moment with the Canucks came during the 1994 Playoffs, where he led the team on their run to the Stanley Cup Final. He scored 16 goals and 31 points in 24 playoff games, including a double-overtime winner in Game 7 against Calgary in the first round. His heroics helped propel the Canucks to within one game of winning their first Stanley Cup, though they infamously fell to the New York Rangers in a heart-wrenching Game 7.
While Bure’s career in Vancouver was marked by individual brilliance, it was also filled with tension. Injuries and contract disputes soured his relationship with the team’s management, and after several injury-plagued seasons, Bure requested a trade. In 1999, he was dealt to the Florida Panthers, ending his time with the Canucks. He continued his elite play in Florida for 3 years before landing with the New York Rangers and retiring in 2003.
Despite the tension and eventual trade, Bure’s legacy in Vancouver remains untarnished. In just 428 games with the Canucks, he scored 254 goals and 478 points, making him one of the most prolific goal-scorers in franchise history. His No. 10 jersey was retired by the Canucks in 2013, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame that same year.
Markus Naslund
Markus Naslund is one of the most iconic players in Vancouver Canucks history, leading one of the most iconic eras in Canucks history. Born in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, Naslund began his NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins after being drafted 16th overall in 1991. However, after his trade to Vancouver in 1996, Naslund truly blossomed into a star.
Naslund’s arrival in Vancouver marked the start of a new chapter for both him and the Canucks. His early years were steady but unspectacular until he found his stride at the turn of the millennium. By the 2000-01 season, Naslund had become the focal point of the Canucks’ offence. Over the next few seasons, Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi, and Brendan Morrison formed the famous “West Coast Express” line, one of the most dominant offensive trios in the NHL.
Naslund’s best years came between 2001 and 2004 when he ranked among the league’s top scorers. In the 2002-03 season, Naslund posted career-high numbers with 48 goals and 104 points, earning him the Lester B. Pearson Award (now the Ted Lindsay Award) as the NHL’s most outstanding player. He also finished as a Hart Trophy finalist that year. Vancouver recognized his leadership on and off the ice in 2000 when they named him the 12th captain in franchise history. Though Vancouver was unable to reach the Stanley Cup Final during his tenure, Naslund was a consistent force for the team in the playoffs.
By the time Naslund left the Canucks in 2008 to join the New York Rangers for a brief stint before retirement, he had set numerous franchise records. He finished his Canucks career as the team’s all-time leader in points (756), goals (346), and assists (410), though Henrik and Daniel Sedin eventually surpassed these records.
Naslund’s No. 19 jersey was retired by the Canucks in 2010. And four years later, Naslund was inducted into the Canucks’ Ring of Honour, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi was the heart and soul of the Vancouver Canucks during the early 2000s, known for his unique combination of size, skill, and physical dominance. Acquired from the New York Islanders in 1998, Bertuzzi, like Naslund, took a few seasons to fully realize his potential, but when he did, he became one of the most feared power forwards in the NHL.
Bertuzzi’s breakout came during the 2001-02 season when he formed the aforementioned “West Coast Express” line with Naslund and Morrison. Bertuzzi’s blend of brute strength and surprising finesse made him a nightmare for opposing defensemen. He used his 6-foot-3, 245-pound frame to protect the puck and overpower opponents while possessing soft hands and a high hockey IQ. Big Bert was the ultimate power forward, and players like him were extremely hard to come by – and still are.
The 2002-03 season was Bertuzzi’s peak. He posted 46 goals and 51 assists for 97 points, ranking among the league’s top scorers and earning First-Team NHL All-Star honours. Bertuzzi finished fifth in Hart Trophy voting that year, further proving his status as one of the best players in the league.
However, Bertuzzi’s career in Vancouver was also marked by controversy. In 2004, his infamous on-ice hit-from-behind on Steve Moore overshadowed much of his success. The incident resulted in a lengthy suspension, legal battles, and a significant impact on Bertuzzi’s career. Although he returned to the Canucks for the 2005-06 season, the incident cast a shadow over his time with the team.
Despite the controversy, Bertuzzi’s impact on the Canucks cannot be denied. He recorded 449 points (188 goals, 261 assists) in 518 games with Vancouver, and his dominant play helped establish the Canucks as a perennial playoff team during the early 2000s.
Bertuzzi was eventually traded to the Florida Panthers in 2006 as part of the deal that brought Roberto Luongo to Vancouver, marking the end of an era. Though his time with the Canucks ended on a complicated note, Bertuzzi remains one of the most memorable and impactful wingers in team history.
Daniel Sedin
Daniel Sedin, along with his twin brother Henrik, redefined what it meant to be a Vancouver Canuck. Drafted second overall in the 1999 NHL Draft, Daniel developed into one of the league’s most consistent and elite wingers and, with the help of his brother, formed one of the most dynamic duos in NHL history.
Daniel was generally known as the better goal-scorer between the brothers. While Henrik was the playmaker, Daniel was the sniper, and the two fed off each other’s skills to create magic on the ice. Their ability to control the puck in the offensive zone, recognized for their “cycle” style that left opponents flat-footed, was a hallmark of their careers.
Daniel’s best season came in 2010-11 when he recorded a career-high 104 points (41 goals, 63 assists) and won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s top scorer. He also finished as a finalist for the Hart Trophy, which Henrik had won the previous year. Daniel played a massive role in the Canucks run to the cup that same season but, well, we know how that one ended.
Throughout his 17-season career with the Canucks, Daniel was a model of consistency, scoring 30 or more goals in seven different seasons. He finished his career as the Canucks’ all-time leader in goals with 393 and second in points with 1,041, trailing only Henrik. He retired in 2018, and his No. 22 jersey was raised to the rafters alongside Henrik’s No. 33 in 2020.
Honourable Mentions
Stan Smyl
Stan Smyl, aka “Steamer,” is one of the most beloved figures in Vancouver Canucks history. Drafted 40th overall by the Canucks in 1978, Smyl quickly became the heart and soul of the team with his work ethic and leadership. He played his entire 13-year NHL career in Vancouver, earning the captaincy in 1982 and leading the team for eight seasons.
Smyl finished his career with 262 goals and 673 points in 896 games, making him the franchise’s all-time leader in several categories at the time of his retirement. He was instrumental in leading the Canucks to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1982, cementing his place in team lore. After retiring in 1991, Smyl’s No. 12 jersey was the first to be retired by the Canucks, and he continues to work with the team in various capacities.
Alexander Mogilny
Alexander Mogilny was one of the most talented players to ever wear a Canucks jersey, known for his amazing speed and goal-scoring ability. Acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in 1995, Mogilny brought elite offensive firepower to Vancouver. In his first full season with the Canucks (1995-96), he tallied 55 goals and 107 points, earning himself a spot on the NHL Second All-Star Team.
Mogilny’s time in Vancouver was relatively brief, spanning four seasons, but his impact was significant. His chemistry with fellow Russian Pavel Bure gave Canucks fans a glimpse of what could have been, though injuries and team struggles limited their time together. Mogilny finished his Canucks career with 139 goals and 308 points in 312 games. In total, he played 702 games, tallying 437 goals and 779 points. Despite widespread controversy, he remains one of the most talented and productive players not to be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
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