Thursday night against the Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks winger Daniel Sedin scored his 1000th career point. In doing so, he became just the second player in franchise history to do so. The other was his brother, Henrik Sedin. The point came on a power-play goal in a 5-3 over the Predators, and he added his 1001st the same evening with an assist.
The Career of Daniel Sedin
The impressive achievement is the latest of a long list for the Swede. He ranks second in all-time points on the Canucks, and first in goals, with 376. Additionally, the 37-year-old holds the franchise lead in game-winning goals (82), powerplay goals (131), overtime goals (15), and shots (3337). He also ranks second in assists (625), games played (1251). powerplay points (350), as well as plus-minus (164). While known as the shooter of the two twins, Sedin has seen immense success in all offensive facets of the game. Known for mastering a cycle style of game, he didn’t rely on speed, but rather raw-skill and an impressive hockey IQ. He and his brother Henrik are the only two brothers in NHL history to have both scored 1,000 points.
Sedin also holds up well when looked upon at a league-wide level. In 2010-11, he won the Art Ross Trophy with 104 points, scoring 41 goals that same season (both totals hold up as career-highs). That same season, he won the Ted Lindsay Trophy as the league’s most outstanding player, as voted by his peers. He was also up for the Hart Trophy, ultimately losing to Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks. It was that year’s post-season that saw Sedin help lead the Canucks to within a game of the Stanley Cup, and to the team’s third appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. During that run, he put up a respectable 20 points in 25 contests. Among those still playing, Sedin also seventh in points leaders and eighth in goals.
Other Achievements
Sedin was drafted second overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, after some shifty maneuvering courtesy of then-GM Brian Burke. In his rookie year (2000-01), he put up a decent 34 points in 75 games but remained stagnant until 2003-04. It was that year that he broke out for 54 points in 82 contests. From that point onward, Sedin remained a consistent 70-100 point producer. While his peak offensive days may be behind him, he remains a respectable threat, with 15 points accumulated through 26 contests thus far this season. Since 2010, he has served an alternate captain for the club.
The humble winger has also put together an impressive trophy case through his 17 NHL campaigns. In addition to his aforementioned Art Ross and Ted Lindsay, Sedin was a First Team All-Star in 2011, a Second Team All-Star in 2010. He has represented the Canucks at the NHL’s annual All-Star game on three separate occasions: in 2011, 2012, and 2016. The winger also holds the timed record for accuracy shooting, hitting four targets in 7.3 seconds in 2011. That same year, he took home the NHL Foundation Player award for his work in the Vancouver community. In 2014, he and his brother, along with their wives Marinette and Johanna Sedin, founded the Sedin Family Foundation. The organization works to support youth and families in need, through avenues of health, education, and family wellness.
On a team-level, he has been the recipient of numerous honors. He has won the Cyrus H. McLean Trophy five times (2007, 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2016) as the team’s leading point-scorer. He also received the Cyclone Taylor Award in 2011 and 2016 as the team’s Most Valuable Player, as voted by the fans. He has received a handful of international recognition as well. In 2011, he won the Victoria Scholarship as the top Swedish athlete, sharing it with his brother. That same year, he won the Viking Award as the Best Swedish Player in the NHL.
International Accomplishments
While he has seen a fruitful NHL career, one must also consider what he’s accomplished outside of North America. He has participated in three Olympic Winter Games as a member of Team Sweden, winning gold in 2006, and silver in 2014. He was also a member of the 2013 IIHF World Hockey Championship team that won gold in 2013. Throughout that tournament, he played on a line alongside Henrik and now-teammate Loui Eriksson. He won two bronze medals in 1999 and 2001 through the same competition.
Indeed, Daniel Sedin is among the most decorated, and talented Canucks of all time. His achievements both with the team and league-wide are nearly unprecedented in franchise history. Through 1,001 points and 1,251 games, the Swedish forward has provided Canucks fans with some of the most memorable hockey of his era, and talent that may remain unparalleled within the organization.
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