#19MarkusNäslund - 2: Awards and Accomplishments

Markus Näslund, the catalyst that changed the face of the Canucks franchise.

He won the Sven Tumbas Award as the best forward at a U-16 tournament in Sweden in 1988.  He was named to the WJC-A All-Star Team (1993) and had a World Junior Championships' record; most goals in a single tournament with 13.

Swedish NHLers voted him the best Swedish player in the NHL, granting him the Viking Award in 2001.

Clearly he didn't care for the Oilers.

He left with a slew of Canucks franchise records in his wake, including most goals (346), points (756), all-time hat tricks (10 tied with Tony Tanti), power play goals (114), game-winning goals (49), most goals in a period (3, accomplished the feat twice), most consecutive 20 or more goal seasons (9) first player in franchise history to record 40 or more goals in three straight seasons. and most assists in a period (4) among other feats while also tying Stan Smyl as the longest tenured Canucks captain (eight seasons).  He twice finished second in overall NHL scoring.

"Näslund lead the Canucks in scoring for 7 straight seasons! To put that into perspective, Pavel Bure lead the team in scoring 4 times while Trevor Linden and Stan Smyl each accomplished this twice." - Source.

He became the first and only three-time First Team All-Star and has represented Vancouver at the NHL All-Star Game more than any other member of the Vancouver Canucks. He appeared at the All-Star Game on five occasions (1999-2004), captaining the Western Conference team in 2004. 

By 2003, Näslund hit his stride and would post a career year, finishing the season with 104 points (48-56-104). Following a successful regular season and after recording 14 points (5-9-14) in 14 playoff games, he would become the first and only Canucks player, first ever Swedish player, and third ever European born player to receive the Lester B. Pearson Award (now the Ted Lindsay Award) after being voted the League’s MVP by his peers. 

That year he was selected by The Hockey News as the NHL MVP and finished second to Forsberg in Hart balloting and Art Ross title.  

One of the most decorated Canucks in franchise history, Näslund finished his NHL career with a plethora of accolades. His scoring prowess and impact while playing for Vancouver earned him team awards like the Cyclone Taylor Trophy (team MVP, 5 times, from 1999-2004), Cyrus H. McLean Trophy (leading scorer, 7 times, from 1999-2006), Molson Cup (most game star selections during the season, 3 times, from 2001-2003) and Most Exciting Player (twice, 1999 and 2001).