Vancouver Canucks Retire Markus Naslunds Number Nineteen

The Vancouver Canucks will retire the number nineteen, raising it to the top of Rogers Arena before the game against Tampa Bay, That number belonged to Markus Naslund, who has been in the NHL for fifteen years and has had a spectacular career. His number joins the number 12 belonging to Stan Smyl and the number 16 that was on Trevor Linden's jersey. These are the only three numbers that have ever been retired in the franchise. Naslund, who is from Sweden, retired about midway through the 2009 – 2010 season.

The event, where they raised the jersey was paired with a video with a tribute to Naslund's time in the NHL as well as a video message from a former team mate and good friend of Naslund's Todd Bertuzzi. There was also a video that showcased the Canuck's Hall of Heroes exhibit. Also featured in this ceremony was a Canuck's for Kids Fund presentation where they revealed that a new sports equipment center would be built in honor of the Naslunds. Naslund himself, who was joined by his wife children, addressed the fans prior to the number retirement.

Naslund is the all time points leader for the Canucks, having gotten a total of 756 and twelve of the fifteen years that he played in the NHL was for the Canucks, and he served as Captain for the team in the 2000 to 2001 season as well as the 2007 to 2008 seasons. He has also been given the Ted Lindsay Award and was a First Team NHL All Star. He and his family are also very involved in charitable causes such as the Canucks charities as well as being connected with the BC Children's Hospital and Canuck Place.