I must admit, it’s still a little early for New Years resolutions but I really should contribute more stuff for Sportsnet.ca in 2009.
And truth be told, if you're keeping score of the number of blogs I've written this last year and the number of hairs grown on the top of my head, then the tiny crop of finite follicles win by a landslide.
But if anything can awake me from this cyberspace slumber, it’s a tribute to Trevor Linden.
The former Canuck is the greatest all-around athlete to ever play professional sports in the city of Vancouver. On the ice Linden was pure class. Off the ice, he constantly went above and beyond.
Giving his time and name to a number of charitable causes and organizations, some of them public. But a lot of those were private visits and ventures, quiet moments of comfort far way from any mainstream media report.
And that was done on purpose of course. Linden never did crave the limelight. His heart always seemed to be in the right place. And he seemed to always be there at just the right time. Giving back was part of the Linden package; not a burden, but a way to use his celebrity to brighten up the lives of those who needed it most.
After 16 seasons in Vancouver, Linden ranks second in all-time points scored, second in all-time goals scored and first in number of games played.
The 1994 Stanley Cup run was filled with terrific Trevor moments as he led his team and an entire city to within a Nathan LaFayette goal post of Stanley Cup glory.
Tearing the "C" off his chest and trading him away after that run was a tragedy. Although, seeing him come back for a second go-round with the team did help heal a few wounds.
A leader, warrior and all-around gamer, Linden always seemed to save his best for the post-season. But as much as I admired his style of play, it was Linden's sense of style that taught me one of the biggest lessons of my broadcast career.
On Saturday May 29th, 1999, Trevor was traded to the Montreal Canadiens from the New York Islanders. I was working at CKVU in Vancouver doing weekend sportscasts and had to race over to Linden's house to get his thoughts on the move. When I arrived wearing my t-shirt, shorts and flip flops because I didn’t have to go on camera at that point, Trevor took one look at me and asked, "Are you working today or going to the beach?"
Totally embarrassed, I can't remember now what I mumbled back. The message though, is still crystal clear in my mind. Not only do you have to act the part you must also look the part. Be polished, professional and take your job seriously.
Years later, Don Taylor dubbed me "the well-groomed one" and while I'm sure Linden himself had a few chuckles hearing D-T use that term when introducing my stories -- that moniker was all Trevor's doing.
So in some strange way, I too tried to carry myself the way Trevor Linden carried himself in the NHL. And while I can't honestly say I met all his high standards, I have ditched the shades and shorts.
So congratulations Trevor on all your accomplishments. Seeing your No. 16 raised to the rafters is just reward for all the time and effort you've spent plying your trade in the NHL. The lessons you taught us -- on and off the ice -- are priceless.