#19MarkusNäslund - 10: Philanthropy

While Naslund created countless magical moments for so many sick children during his time in Vancouver, he also was sure to make an impact on his teammates – quietly mentoring them on how to handle themselves during these potentially uncomfortable interactions.

As someone from BC Children’s Hospital Foundation who helped tour the Canucks players around the hospital year after year, Jill Price witnessed Naslund at his finest on many occasions.

“Of all the players, Markus was the one that got the kids to their very best,” said Price, former director of Major Gifts for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “He was never fearful or uncomfortable and was always sure to demonstrate this to his teammates as a wonderful role model to them. He showed them how to relax and hold babies. He was always right out front, leading the way.”

Naslund was the same unassuming and strong leader in how he went about supporting the children at BC Children’s Hospital year after year as he was in the room with the team. In addition to the annual team visit to the hospital, Naslund made countless visits on his own, always requesting that the visits not be publicized to ensure his time spent with the children was special and intimate.

“What made Markus different was the level of personal interest he showed in the kids,” said Dr. Gary Lazar, director of Adolescent Psychiatry at BC Children’s Hospital.

“He portrayed a unique level of gentleness and patience and was very visibly interested in hanging out with the kids and getting to know them.”

During another visit, Kathy Tremayne, program director for the Provincial Specialized Eating Disorders Program at BC Children’s Hospital watched as Naslund got down right down on the floor to play with the kids.

“Markus was here for about an hour at the Mental Health and he was really patient and attentive with the kids,” said Tremayne. “He was so engaged and in no rush to leave. He was one of the few players who was always really comfortable with the kids, especially in situations that can be so uncomfortable for most people.”

In addition to maintaining a connection with the kids at BC Children’s Hospital, Naslund also became a strong advocate for child and adolescent mental health issues. With the goal of overcoming the negative stigma that is often associated with mental health issues, Naslund filmed a PSA in partnership with the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation to help educate British Columbians.

“Markus Naslund was such a popular figure in Vancouver, and it was so huge for someone of his calibre to speak out in support of child and adolescent mental health,” said Sandra Weal, who has a son with autism and has spent weeks at a time at BC Children’s Hospital. “You can’t even calculate the kind of exposure that brings.”

After meeting Sandra and her husband at one of the Canucks Dice & Ice events, Naslund sent their son Garrett an autographed Canucks jersey and a package of goodies. Garrett was excited to bring it to school and show his friends.

“That was extra special because as a boy with autism, Garrett does not usually care about many things,” said Weal.

One of the most significant outreach initiatives that Naslund was involved in was that of his own charity suite, appropriately named Nazzy’s Suite 19. For six years the Nazzy’s Suite 19 program gave deserving BC kids the opportunity to attend and receive VIP treatment at Canucks home games.

In addition to getting tickets to the game in Naslund’s executive suite at Rogers Arena, children received dinner, snacks and beverages in the suite, a special in-game welcome on the big-screen, a visit from Fin, an exclusive Nazzy’s Suite 19 t-shirt, Canucks souvenirs and the occasional visit from Naslund himself – all completely free of charge.

In total, more than 3,780 children from all over the province were invited to Canucks games in Nazzy’s Suite. These were kids who were either struggling with their health or struggling to get by in other aspects of life and would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a Canucks game. This program would not have been possible without the personal financial commitment that Naslund and his family made, totaling more than $500,000.

 Following his NHL retirement, he joined the anniversary tour of the NHLPA's Goals and Dreams program, a charity that donates hockey equipment to underprivileged children.

When Markus met Angela she was 14 years old and suffering from depression, social anxiety, and personal insecurity. Angela had suicidal tendencies and was struggling to find herself. As a patient in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health program at BC Children’s Hospital, Angela was initially shy when Naslund came to visit, but she eventually opened up about a recent game of ball hockey she played with the other patients and doctors in the program.

Angela told Naslund she had scored the winning goal, but was quick to give all the credit to her teammates. She billed her goal as a fluke and did not want to accept any recognition for the goal.

Without hesitation, Naslund gently challenged her insecurity around taking credit for the goal, asking her a series of questions about the game until she came to her own conclusion that she worked really hard to score that goal. He was able to turn the situation around on Angela to highlight her personal contribution to making the goal happen. Angela’s confidence and self-image soared.

“Hours worth of my therapy with Angela did not have the effect that Markus had in five minutes and I still use his line of questions with patients today,” said Dr. Lazar. “Angela walked away from that conversation and said to me ‘I wonder what other things I can do that I think I can’t?’”

Markus Naslund practicing with hockey fan, Georgious Bourodemos who battled limphoblastic leukemia

While visiting one of the most heart-wrenching wards at the hospital, the Intensive Care Unit, Naslund also knew the importance of spending quiet time with the parents, siblings and relatives of the sick child.

“Markus always made sure families were comfortable,” said Price. “He would sit with the moms and dads and brothers and sisters and just talk about everything.”

All in all, Naslund knew what impact he was making in the lives of these kids, but the humble Swede never spoke about it nor wanted any recognition for it. With the kind of philanthropic leadership that Naslund exemplified away from the rink, he will always be remembered as a true community hero in British Columbia.

Never let it be said that he was in it for the money.

Naslund announced his retirement from the NHL on May 4, 2009, at the age of 35.  Näslund had informed Rangers general manager Glen Sather, head coach John Tortorella and his teammates of his intention to retire prior to the team's playoff elimination. By announcing his retirement early in the off-season, Näslund forfeited a $2 million buyout from the Rangers, which would have counted against the team's salary cap for the following season had he waited until he was formally bought out.

$500,000 was raised over 8 years by “Icebreakers” an organization that raises money for sick and disabled children in the region of Vasternorrland, Sweden, that Naslund and his Swedish pal Peter Forsberg formed together.

Näslund announced he was coming out of retirement to join Forsberg with Modo for the remainder of the 2009–10 Elitserien season to help their former club out of financial troubles and a last-place standing in the league, facing potential relegation.  He played without salary.