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The native of Medicine Hat, Alberta, played 16 seasons with Vancouver, making him the face of the NHL franchise.

Linden finishes with 375 goals and 492 assists (867 points) in 1,382 regular seasons. He added another 34 goals and 65 assists (99 points) in 124 playoff games.

"Today is an emotional and exciting day for me as an athlete and a person", he said on the Canucks' Web site. "It closes one chapter of my life, my playing career, while opening up another to which I am very much looking forward. The incredible fans that have been so generous in their support of my career."

Linden, the second overall pick in the 1988 National Hockey League entry draft and two-time all-star, also played for Montreal, Washington and the New York Islanders.

In the 1991-92 season, he was named Vancouver's youngest-ever team captain.

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