Linden recalls 'empty feeling' when Canucks lost 1994 Final to Rangers

Stan Fischler writes a weekly column for NHL.com. This week's topic is Voices from the Past with Trevor Linden. Lindens had 867 points in 1,382 regular-season games and 99 points (34 goals, 65 assists) in 124 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Stan Fischler's weekly column features Voices from the Past with Trevor Linden. Lindens had 867 points in 1,382 regular-season games with the Canucks, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals and 99 points (34 goals, 65 assists) in 124 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Linden started skating at 3 and a half years old. He grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The ponds froze early in the fall. He always wanted to play hockey. For him, it consumed his day.

Linden's parents were supportive of his hockey career. They taught him respect for people older than him. They were not interested in hockey.

Linden's two brothers and he had to learn the game on their own. They studied the sport and learned by playing. His older brother played on his team. He wanted to play for the Medicine Hat Tigers.

In Medicine Hat, he played for the Midget Level team and was promoted to the Tigers. In his first year with the team, they won the Memorial Cup and he was captain. He also played in the World Junior Championships.

Linden's team won the gold medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Moscow. They were playing against Russian stars like Alex Mogilny and Sergei Fedorov.

The 1988 NHL Draft took place after his second year of junior hockey. He was expected to be picked by Minnesota with the first choice or Vancouver with second. Before the draft, teams interviewed players to get a better idea of their reactions.

Linden was drafted second overall by Vancouver Canucks. He didn't feel any extra pressure despite being called the "Cornerstone of the Franchise". He understands that when a fellow like him is drafted there is going to be some pressure.

"I decided to simply go out on the ice, work hard and do the job asked of me. I was drafted after Modano. Number two is only a number. What I would do for the Canucks was the most important thing to me."

Linden was a kid when he came to Vancouver Canucks. He got advice from Doug Lidster, Harold Snepsts, Garth Butcher and Paul Reinhart. Linden also relied on his parents and lawyer Don Meehan for advice.

In 1988-89, he was the NHL's youngest player (18) and finished the season with 30 goals. In 1990-91 he became one of three Canucks captains and in 1991-92 he become the youngest captain in the league (21).

Linden was captain of the Canucks. He was compared to Mark Messier. He made mistakes but he learned from them. It was an empty feeling when Canucks lost 1994 Final to Rangers.

Linden led the Canucks to the 1994 Cup Final against the Rangers. The final game was played in New York City. He was proud of the team's accomplishments. He also remembers the game against Messier.

Linden's team won the 1994 Stanley Cup Final against the Rangers. The team had played two months of playoff hockey and had given everything to win. The fifth game was at The Garden and the whole town was expecting them to lose.

Linden's team lost the 1994 Stanley Cup Final to Rangers. He will never forget the game. He had better individual games, but this one was the most noted.

Linden scored both goals for Canucks in Game 7 of 1994 Final against Rangers. Canucks lost by one goal.