#10 in NEWS 1130’S Top 10 of 2018: Sedins retire
Posted December 18, 2018 5:00 am.
Last Updated December 17, 2018 10:48 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — They broke into the NHL as teammates, and in 2018, Daniel and Henrik Sedin left the league as teammates.
The Swedish twins spent their entire 18-year NHL careers with the Vancouver Canucks, leaving a lasting legacy on and off the ice.
LISTEN: NEWS 1130’s Chris Wahl looks back on the Sedin’s retirement
With three games left in the 2017-18 campaign, Daniel and Henrik penned a letter to Canucks fans thanking them, but also reflecting on their desire to move on from professional hockey.
“Being part of the Canucks family for 18 seasons has been the best period of our lives. But it’s time to focus on our families and life after hockey,” the letter reads. “It’s time to help with homework every night.”
RELATED: Sedin twins calling it a career in the NHL
At their best, the brothers were two of the greatest athletes ever to represent Vancouver. Henrik won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player in 2010, while they both won league scoring titles (Henrik in 2010, Daniel a year later). They occupy the top two spots among Canucks franchise scoring leaders and won Olympic gold with Sweden in 2006.
The Sedins might best be remembered for leading the Canucks to the Stanley Cup final in 2011, a run that ended with a bittersweet Game Seven loss to the Boston Bruins
WATCH: Canucks Will Retire Sedins’ Jerseys Next Year
But their influence extended beyond the dressing room, too.
“They taught me not only on the ice but off the ice, how to be a true pro,” said longtime teammate Alex Burrows. “They’re two of the best professionals. Everybody knows they donated so much money to Children’s Hospital in B.C. They’re just like the ultimate professionals.”
Daniel and Henrik are certain to receive consideration for the Hockey Hall of Fame, but are not eligible for induction until 2021.
RELATED: Ticket prices rising for Sedins’ final home games
The Canucks will retire their numbers 22 and 33 during the 2019-20 season.
Their impact on the next generation of Canucks stars like Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat might not be seen for years to come. The Sedins plan on keeping a close eye on their now- former team, at least in the short term.
“Our families really enjoy it here, our kids love it here,” Daniel said. “We’re going to move back [to Sweden] probably one day, but right now, we’re staying in Vancouver.”
Click here to review NEWS 1130’s Top 10 of 2018.
