The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Ice Hockey›Trevor Linden
Sports • Ice Hockey

Trevor Linden

Trevor Linden is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player best known for his long tenure with the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Trevor Linden is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player best known for his long tenure with the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL). A centre and right winger, he played 19 NHL seasons, served as Canucks captain for many years, and later became known for his work in player representation and charity.

Early life and junior career

Linden was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and developed as a junior player with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He helped the team win back-to-back Memorial Cups and was selected second overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by Vancouver.

NHL career

Linden made his NHL debut in 1988 and became one of the defining players in Vancouver Canucks history. He spent most of his career with Vancouver, also playing for the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals before retiring in 2008. He finished his NHL career with 375 goals and 867 points.

Leadership and player advocacy

Linden served as the Canucks captain from 1990 to 1997. He later held leadership roles with the NHL Players' Association, serving as president from 1998 to 2006 and then as vice-president until the end of his playing career.

Off-ice work and charity

Linden has been active in charitable causes and founded the Trevor Linden Foundation in 1995 to support children in need. He is also associated with leadership and community initiatives after his playing career.

Key facts

  • Played 19 seasons in the NHL, including 16 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks.
  • Was the Canucks' captain from 1990 to 1997.
  • Finished his NHL career with 375 goals and 867 points.
  • Won two Memorial Cups with the Medicine Hat Tigers before entering the NHL.
  • Played for Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
  • Served as president of the NHL Players' Association from 1998 to 2006.
🍁
Canadian context

Trevor Linden is a major figure in Canadian hockey history, especially through his career with the Vancouver Canucks and his representation of Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympics. He was born in Alberta and remains closely associated with Canadian sport and community work.

Frequently asked questions

What position did Trevor Linden play?
He played centre and right wing in the NHL.
Which team is Trevor Linden most associated with?
He is most closely associated with the Vancouver Canucks, where he played 16 seasons.
When was Trevor Linden drafted?
He was drafted second overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 1988.
Did Trevor Linden play for Canada?
Yes. He represented Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
What are Trevor Linden's career totals?
He retired with 375 goals and 867 points in the NHL.
What charity is Trevor Linden known for?
He founded the Trevor Linden Foundation in 1995 to raise money for children in need.

References

  1. Finnish Wikipedia — https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Linden
    Supports: Birth date and place, Canadian nationality, NHL seasons, Canucks tenure, captaincy, NHLPA roles, and foundation
  2. Elite Prospects — https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/8551/trevor-linden
    Supports: Date of birth, birthplace, nationality, position, draft details, height, weight, shooting hand, career status, and career totals
  3. The Seattle Times — https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/hockey/canucks-trevor-linden-retires-from-nhl-after-two-decades/
    Supports: NHL retirement date, draft position, Canucks tenure, franchise records, and career totals
  4. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Linden
    Supports: Teams, captaincy, Memorial Cup wins, 1998 Olympics participation, and Canucks finals appearance
  5. NSB Speakers — https://www.nsb.com/speakers/trevor-linden/
    Supports: Leadership and community reputation after playing career