Sedin twins calling it a career in the NHL

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – For the past 18 seasons, Henrik and Daniel Sedin have been the faces of the Vancouver Canucks.

Today, the twins have announced they will retire at the end of the season.

In an open letter to fans (read in full below), the twins say “Being part of the Canucks family for 18 seasons has been the best period of our lives. But it’s time to focus on our families and life after hockey.”

The Sedins say they want to share their final games with family, friends, teammates, coaches, trainers, and everyone who has supported them. “You’ve all been with us every step of the way, and we want to thank you.”

The twins say “it’s time to let the next generation of young players lead the Canucks,” adding that team “is in great hands, with people who care about its success and it’s headed in the right direction.”

They add that Vancouver has become home to them and their family. “We plan to be part of this community long after we retire. Vancouver has given us so much and we’ve tried to give everything we have in return. That won’t change.”

The Sedins’ open letter to fans

Dear Canucks fans,

Earlier this year we wrote a letter to the city, and to everyone who has supported us for the past 18 years. Many people were asking what the future holds. We said we’d take it one year at a time. We said when the time was right, we’d talk with our families and sit down with management to discuss it.

We started the year with the mindset that a decision would be made in the postseason. But it became clear, after discussions with our families throughout the year, that this will be our last season. This feels right for all of us.

Being part of the Canucks family for 18 seasons has been the best period of our lives. But it’s time to focus on our families and life after hockey. It’s time to help with homework every night. It’s time to be at every birthday party and to stand in the cold at every hockey rink, soccer game and riding lesson on weekends. It’s time to be at home for dinner every night.

We’re saying it now because we want to share these final three games with you. We also want to share these games with our families, friends, teammates, coaches, trainers, staff and everyone at the Canucks who have supported us. You’ve all been with us every step of the way, and we want to thank you.

It’s time to let the next generation of young players lead the Canucks. Travis is building a strong culture and emphasizes a style of play we know will be successful. The team is in great hands, with people who care about its success and it’s headed in the right direction. We know there is a bright future for the Canucks.

As we’ve said before, Vancouver has become home. This is our family’s home. We plan to be part of this community long after we retire. Vancouver has given us so much and we’ve tried to give everything we have in return. That won’t change.

In the meantime, we still have some games to play, and we still have some work to do.

Henrik and Daniel

Sedins leaving a legacy of class on and off the ice

Sportsnet 650’s Ann Schmaltz says this is going to hit the team and the fan faithful pretty hard.

“It’s good news, in the sense that I’m glad that Daniel and Henrik were able to make the decision on their own. But, of course, for many, many Canucks fans — and fans around the league — it’s probably a little bittersweet and sad.”

“These two will certainly be missed for what they did with the game, with their team, the organization and the City of Vancouver on and off the ice,” she says.

Ann tells us the Sedins’ legacy with the franchise will be their class on and off the ice. “They led by example. I never saw them upset or angry, even in the toughest situation. Obviously, their stats are there — they both have reached 1,000 points and no other Canuck has ever done that. I’m expecting 33 and 22 to be hoisted to the rafters, sooner rather than later.”

She points out there are only two home games left for the Sedins. “I do hope and encourage fans… get out there and support them.”\

Ann isn’t sure if the Sedins will make the hall of fame.

“I want to say yes, just because of everything they’ve done for this organization, but the Hall of Fame ballot is really kind of sticky, in the sense that they never did the one thing that ultimately all NHLers want to do, and that was win and hoist the Stanley Cup. But when you look at their longevity, their legacy, the numbers they put up with this organization, what they contributed on and off the ice — leaders in the community — I want to say yes they are — but I don’t know that for certain.”