Seventeen seasons, over a thousand points each, and memories that will last a lifetime – Canucks fans will say goodbye to the greatest players in franchise history on Thursday.
Playing in their last game in front of the hometown fans, it’s sure to be emotional.
But really, it’s been emotional all week after Henrik and Daniel Sedin formally announced their retirement plans on Monday.
Tributes have poured in from all corners of the world. Former teammates, coaches, managers, and broadcasters have all spoken about them.
Markus Naslund and Sami Salo called in from Europe. Alain Vigneault, Marc Crawford, and even John Tortorella spoke.
Jim Robson and Tom Larscheid weighed in.
Brian Burke put his long-lasting feud with TSN 1040 on hold to be interviewed live on air. Even Mike Gillis, who hasn’t done an interview since he was fired by the Canucks in 2014, agreed to an interview.
Anything for Henrik and Daniel.
It’s a testament to how well respected the twins are in the game. I mean, not many players have received applause from the media after a press conference:
Respect. Media applauds @Canucks’ #sedinbrothers at the end of their news conference announcing their retirement. #Sedins #Sedinery @cbcsports @cbcnewsbc pic.twitter.com/EOf1b8efJo
— Dan Burritt (@DanBurritt) April 3, 2018
After an amazing career that saw the mild-mannered Swedes not get enough of the spotlight, they’re finally getting their due. And it’s been wonderful to watch.
YVR TRAVEL NOTICE: Heavy precipitation expected in Vancouver tonight due to excessive tears falling while Daniel And Henrik play their last home game for the @Canucks. Airport operations should be normal but may be some misty eyes in the building. #ThankYouSedins pic.twitter.com/wSvhYgbLCH
— Vancouver Airport (@yvrairport) April 5, 2018
There are professional athletes who act like good guys on-camera, but are far from it away from the spotlight. That’s not the case with the Sedins.
Everyone, it seems, has a remarkable story to tell about them.
You know about how hard they played on the ice, about how they carried themselves off of it. But it’s been nice to see players, media, and fans share their personal Sedin stories this week.
Here’s a selection of some of the best I’ve seen:
My favourite Sedin moment has nothing to do with their performance on the ice. Instead, it comes after one of my many surgeries. I woke up in my hospital bed and one of the first faces I saw was that of Henrik Sedin. One of the happiest moments of my life #ThankYouSedins
— Ben Dooley (@BenTDooley) April 2, 2018
Story about the time I met Henrik Sedin: I was too shy/scared to go up to him. He saw me staring at him signing/taking pics w/ fans. At one point, Murph came over for an interview when there was a break in fans. HENRIK told HIM to wait, & came to ME 🙈😭💕 I love Henrik so much
— Dee ☕ (@forevercanuck) April 2, 2018
2011 Stanley Cup Final: After his long media scrum, Henrik still agreed to do a 1-on-1 intv. We’re about 45 secs into it, when my camera man stops us. Something wasn’t working. I was dejected. Told Hank it’s cool, he can leave. He said no, I’ll wait. And he did. #Canucks #Sedins
— Nabil Karim (@NabilKarimTSN) April 2, 2018
As a BCIT journalism student, I was elated (and a bit nervous) when I got access to the #Canucks locker room for a story.
I approached Daniel Sedin for an interview, but a senior reporter for a major network cut in.
Daniel politely told him that I was here first.#ThankYouSedins— Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali) April 2, 2018
My biggest Daniel Sedin story is when I saw him at White Spot for dinner with his family and he waited for a table for 10 minutes. Just put his head down and grinded out that wait like the rest of us. #OneOfUs
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) April 3, 2018
my wholesome sedin story is more of a theyre-so-good-at-everything story – i played guitar hero against henrik sedin when i was 14 and he didnt know how to use the whammy thing so i told him and then he beat me. he's the true guitar hero.
— Gráinne (@wholegrainne) April 4, 2018
Meeting the Sedins in their rookie season at 8 Rinks in #Burnaby. They literally stayed for an hour to meet every fan. To this date they still stop for pictures and autographs and the rink daily. pic.twitter.com/juPnxsWtfx
— Trevor (@uniontrevor1975) April 2, 2018
The Sedins weren’t just generous with their time, they were generous with their money too – and not just the time they donated $1.5 million to BC Children’s Hospital.
Virtanen also said the amount of dinners and meals that Daniel and Henrik picked up on the road was unbelievable. Said he doesn’t think he ever paid for a meal on the road with them around. #Canucks
— Irfaan Gaffar (@sportsnetirf) April 2, 2018
I had a friend that managed a high end restaurant frequented by canucks (and other NHL players in town) and I heard a lot of dirt…all he had on the Sedins was "those guys tip 75-100% on take out orders"
— myra (@myra_mc) April 2, 2018
The Sedins were always classy, but it seems that Mats Sundin was the first to see them as leadership material.
Former #Canucks GM/President Mike Gillis tells us that when former #Leafs captain Mats Sundin retired as a Canuck, he told mgmt that Henrik Sedin should be the club's captain.
— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) April 2, 2018
Innovators, their legacy will live on with a play they invented, as Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid explained:
"They see plays that I don't think even I would look for. They are very creative and created the slap pass. On our team it is called the Sedin tip." Connor McDavid on the Sedins. #NHL
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) April 4, 2018
So what’s left for their last home game? Canucks players were treated to a montage of career highlights this morning.
Travis says this morning’s meeting with the team wasn’t a game review from the last game, it was a career review of the Twins. Hopes some of the young guys can take something away from it. #Canucks
— Irfaan Gaffar (@sportsnetirf) April 5, 2018
You know the last game will be filled with emotion, and maybe – just maybe – a viking clap tribute for Vancouver’s favourite Swedish sons.
Be in your seats for the start of the third period.
It’s happening.#ThankYouSedins pic.twitter.com/x0XpPUduv8
— Johnny Canuck (@iamjohnnycanuck) April 5, 2018