Naming your child after one of your old teammates is one of the best forms of gratification an athlete can give out.
Canucks president Trevor Linden and wife Cristina recently welcome the birth of their first child to the Linden family, and based on his name, he might just be a future NHLer like his father.
Now six-weeks old, Roman Mattias Linden, was named after Mattias Ohlund, who spent seven seasons in Vancouver with Linden. The two were also roommates on the road, which helped form the friendship into a strong relationship.
In an interview with TSN 1040’s Matt Sekeres and Blake Price in Vancouver, the 47-year-old Linden was a guest on station’s president’s week, which saw each team president from teams in Vancouver spend time in the studio.
“It’s a shoutout to my old roommate,” Linden acknowledged.
Ohlund is one of six Canucks (Orland Kurtenbach, Kirk McLean, Thomas Gradin, Harold Snepsts and Pat Quinn) in the team’s “Ring of Honour,” which salutes former greats of the team that aren’t quite worthy of having their jersey retired, but still made a lasting impact.
The Swede is regarded as one of the best Canucks defenceman in the team’s history – if not the best – because of his sound two-way presence, bone-crushing hits and leadership, something Linden noted when deciding on the middle name.
“I think you think of people who you imagine your son to be like a little bit. “Certainly Mattias was not only a great friend but a super high character guy. He’s pretty pumped about it.”
Ohlund appeared in 979 total games over his 13 seasons split between the Canucks and Tampa Bay Lightning, but was forced to retire earlier than expected following multiple knee surgeries. In 770 games with the Canucks, Ohlund potted 325 points, which ranks first all-time among Canucks defenceman.
(h/t to Daily Hive)
