SEDIN WEEK IS HERE! It’s hard to put in words just how much this week means as a Canucks fan. It seems unbelievable in some ways that this week is already here as it’s been anticipated since they ever so quietly announced their decision to retire at the conclusion of the 2017-2018 season. It was never a question of whether their jerseys would be retired by the Vancouver Canucks, it was only a question of when it would take place. Henrik and Daniel defined nearly 20 years of the franchise, leaving behind an enduring legacy of what it means to be a Canuck on and off of the ice.

I’ve read a few places that there are some who don’t understand why the Canucks are going all out for two players who never won a cup for their team. If you’re not a Canucks fan, it’ll be hard for you to understand just how much they mean to this team, this city and the entire fan base. Retiring their jerseys isn’t about not winning a cup, it’s about the indelible mark that they’ve left on the team and the community they helped to build off of the ice.

From a very quiet start on the ice to their careers that saw them being questioned at every stumble to becoming franchise leaders on and off of the ice. The Sedins took every criticism from near and wide, they never let it shake them and never let it influence their off ice commitment to the community. Everyone had such high hopes for them when they were drafted by the Canucks, but I don’t think anyone could have ever imagined how massive a legacy their careers would leave on the franchise.

Their Canucks journey officially began when Brian Burke called their names on draft day in June 1999. The deals that Burke made to ensure he could draft the two brothers together forever changed the franchise. Brothers playing the league wasn’t unheard of and neither was two brothers playing together at certain points BUT two brothers playing their entire career together was something we’ve never seen.

It was a fun thought to think of them playing their entire careers together but hard to fathom it actually happening. AND THEN IT DID. Their careers saw SO many highlights that it’s hard to pin point just one favourite, so I’ll name some of my favourite Sedinery moments:

–Henrik scoring late in the 4th OT vs. Dallas in 2007 to help the Canucks win the opening game.

–The triplets being born when one fateful day, AV decided to throw Burrows on the Sedins wing. What magic we were witness to on a nightly basis as Burr was able to open up space for the twins in a way that no other line mate had previously.

–Daniel scoring that ridiculous in between the legs goal in 2010 during the final game of the regular season vs. Calgary that help seal Henrik winning the Art Ross and helped set a new franchise record for points in a season.

–Henrik scoring a penalty shot goal on my birthday in 2013 vs. Nashville.

–Henrik becoming the all-time leader in points for the Canucks vs. Dallas when he passed Markus Naslund’s previous record of 756 points.

–Daniel becoming the all-time leading goal scored for the Canucks vs. Boston when he passed Markus Naslund’s previous record of 346 goals.

–Witnessing Henrik scoring his 1000th career point on home ice assisted by his brother and scored on Luongo. What a moment!

–Daniel scoring his 1000th point vs. Nashville.

–Daniel scoring the OT game winning goal in their final game at Rogers arena. That is a moment that I’ll never forget, it was truly thunderous in the arena that night. That goal gave Daniel 86 game winning goals.

–Henrik and Daniel mentoring Bo in his first 4 seasons, paving the way for him to follow their legacy.

–Perhaps my most cherished Sedin memory is when my sister and I had the opportunity to meet them. A forever favourite moment that I’ll cherish always.

How lucky are we that as Canucks fans we witnessed something truly special?

Henrik: 1330 games played. 1070 points(240 goals, 830 assists).

Daniel: 1306 games played. 1041 points(393 goals, 648 assists).

To have one player reach 1000 points with a franchise is special, to have TWO do it within one calendar year is exceptional.

Even more exceptional than their on ice accomplishments is their off ice accomplishments with local charities, work within the community. They quietly led the way and inspired their teammates and future Canucks to follow in their footsteps.

On Wednesday, Henrik and Daniel will have their jerseys go up to the rafters and further cement their place in Canucks history. It will be a truly special moment for Vancouver fans, one that we will likely never forget.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.