Last week, the NHL announced they would be marking 2025 by naming a 12-person “Quarter-Century Team” for each franchise.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
&nbsp;
The Quarter-Century Teams will consist of the greatest six forwards, four defenders, and two goaltenders to suit up for each organization from Y2K to the present day, and there will presumably be some sort of ceremony held in each arena to honour them.
These teams will be formally revealed sometime closer to January, which allows us to jump the gun on naming our own Quarter-Century Team for the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/scenes-vancouver-canucks-practice-tocchet-changes-defence-pairings-ahead-finale-wild">Vancouver Canucks.</a>
And that&#8217;s exactly what we&#8217;re doing below.
Team 1: Forwards
Henrik Sedin
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"></td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">1330</td>
<td width="125">240</td>
<td width="125">830</td>
<td width="125">1070</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The only real question here was which Sedin got listed first. And given that, as far as we can tell, these forwards aren’t meant to be ranked amongst themselves, that’s not even really a question.
Either way, it’s Henrik, based on both the slightly higher point total and the whole captaincy thing.
Really, no one comes close to what the Sedins have done in this century for the Canucks, and it will still be a while before anyone even has the chance to come close. In an all-time ranking, the Sedins still have to duke it out with Pavel Bure. Here, they’re in a class of their own.
Daniel Sedin
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">1306</td>
<td width="125">393</td>
<td width="125">648</td>
<td width="125">1041</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
You can take most of what we said about Henrik and apply it to Daniel, which has often been the case in their careers. They started with the Canucks right in the year 2000, really maximizing their chances of one day being named to this entirely meaningless Quarter-Century Team, and then they put in 18 good years.
Of particular note with Daniel is the fact that he has scored more than 100 more goals than any other Canuck this century.
Markus Naslund
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">604</td>
<td width="125">261</td>
<td width="125">323</td>
<td width="125">584</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The cutoff date being January 1, 2000, actually serves Naslund particularly well, because while he joined the Canucks in 1996, he didn’t start playing like a true superstar until the 2000/2001 season. In other words, this arbitrary measure cuts out Naslund&#8217;s worst years and isolates his best.
Which, of course, were pretty darn good. A near-point-per-game run, a Lester B. Pearson Trophy, and a brief stint as potentially the greatest player in the world. Oh, and a captaincy on top of it all. 
Team 1: Defence 
Quinn Hughes
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">388</td>
<td width="125">48</td>
<td width="125">313</td>
<td width="125">361</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Yup, it’s already Hughes, and to be perfectly honest, it’s not particularly close. While Alex Edler held the record for most points by a defenceman this century for five years – and with 550 more games than Hughes – it didn&#8217;t take long for the current Canucks captain to catch him, as he broke that record on Sunday morning against the Detroit Red Wings.
Hughes is, quite simply, the greatest defenceman to suit up for this franchise in its history, no matter the century.
Alex Edler
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">925</td>
<td width="125">99</td>
<td width="125">310</td>
<td width="125">409</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Our first real difficult decision of this exercise: Mattias Öhlund and Kevin Bieksa definitely deserve consideration here, but we went with Edler based on his number one quality: longevity. In the end, it’s got to count for something, and maybe a little extra when it’s coming from a defender as rugged as Edler.
Even though Hughes has caught Edler in points, it’ll be a while before he clears him in the category of “important minutes played.”
Team 1: Goaltender 
Roberto Luongo
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="156"> </td>
<td width="156">Record</td>
<td width="156">GAA</td>
<td width="156">Save %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="156">Since 2000</td>
<td width="156">252-137-50</td>
<td width="156">2.36</td>
<td width="156">.919</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
And now, back to the easy calls. With all due respect to the other great goalies that have tended the Vancouver net this quarter-century, it’s Luongo, and it’s not even close. He’s got more than double the win totals of anyone else, and those wins came at a time when the Canucks were the best of the best.
Until another goalie gets the Canucks closer to hockey’s ultimate glory (and there’s only one way to do that), this honour is Luongo’s to lose.
Team 2: Forwards
Todd Bertuzzi
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">429</td>
<td width="125">169</td>
<td width="125">235</td>
<td width="125">404</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
As controversial as Bertuzzi eventually became, one cannot deny the strength of his peak. There was a brief period of time when Bertuzzi was not just the game’s greatest power forward but perhaps its most impactful player overall.
There are a few forwards with higher point-per-game totals we could have picked here, but it’s all those other qualities that allow Bertuzzi to hold down this spot, at least for now.
Ryan Kesler
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">655</td>
<td width="125">182</td>
<td width="125">211</td>
<td width="125">393</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Speaking of intangibles:
On a purely statistical level, there are probably other forwards who should get this spot. But then Kesler did all that he did while simultaneously being one of, if not the, greatest defensive forwards in franchise history.
Kesler, like Bertuzzi, can also lean on the strength of his peak, namely that 41-goal, Selke-winning performance in 2011. That still stands as one of the best singular seasons by a Canuck ever.
JT Miller
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">381</td>
<td width="125">149</td>
<td width="125">269</td>
<td width="125">418</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Miller beats out a number of his contemporaries on the strength of his consistency. He’s been a revelation ever since arriving in Vancouver and appears to only be getting better with age.
From malcontent to heart-and-soul, <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/usa-hockey-fully-expect-vancouver-canucks-jt-miller-available-4-nations-faceoff-report">Miller has become an entirely different player</a> since becoming a Canuck, and we have little doubt he’ll continue to add to these totals as soon as he’s back in the lineup. 
Honourable Mentions: Elias Pettersson, Alexandre Burrows, Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser
Team 2: Defence
Mattias Öhlund
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">619</td>
<td width="125">77</td>
<td width="125">183</td>
<td width="125">260</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Past Hughes, there’s a large conglomeration of defenders who could reasonably receive this honour. Speaking of honour, we went with Ring of Honour inductee Öhlund here, primarily based on his two-way greatness.
Öhlund put up points when a lot of defenders weren’t while matching up with some of the best forwards of his era, including memorable battles with Jarome Iginla. One has to wonder what Öhlund could have been without his various injuries, but what he was was enough to crack this Quarter-Century Team.
Kevin Bieksa
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">597</td>
<td width="125">56</td>
<td width="125">185</td>
<td width="125">241</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
There are a number of others who could claim this last spot, even beyond our short list of Honourable Mentions below. But when it comes to making a mark on the team, Bieksa is first and everyone else second.
Whether it was scoring in big moments or bringing Rogers Arena to their feet with a well-timed fight, Bieksa did it all, and he made it all fun. Few larger personalities have or will pass through this organization, which separates Bieksa neatly enough from the rest of the best of the Vancouver blueline.
Honourable Mentions: Sami Salo, Ed Jovanovski, Dan Hamhuis
Team 2: Goaltender
Thatcher Demko
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="156"> </td>
<td width="156">Record</td>
<td width="156">GAA</td>
<td width="156">Save %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="156">Since 2000</td>
<td width="156">116-81-17</td>
<td width="156">2.79</td>
<td width="156">.912</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The bubble performance and the Vezina nomination are probably enough to snag Demko this spot on their own. But then he also has the best record of anyone other than Luongo in this century, including 17 more wins than Jacob Markstrom in 10 fewer games.
Demko has been the better goalie on better teams, and that’s enough to put him here. That he still has a chance to add to his record between now and January 1, 2025, is just a bonus.
Honourable Mentions: Jacob Markstrom, Ryan Miller, Cory Schneider
Sponsored by bet365
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Last week, the NHL announced they would be marking 2025 by naming a 12-person “Quarter-Century Team” for each franchise.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
&nbsp;

The Quarter-Century Teams will consist of the greatest six forwards, four defenders, and two goaltenders to suit up for each organization from Y2K to the present day, and there will presumably be some sort of ceremony held in each arena to honour them.

These teams will be formally revealed sometime closer to January, which allows us to jump the gun on naming our own Quarter-Century Team for the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/scenes-vancouver-canucks-practice-tocchet-changes-defence-pairings-ahead-finale-wild">Vancouver Canucks.</a>

And that's exactly what we're doing below.

Team 1: Forwards

Henrik Sedin
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"></td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">1330</td>
<td width="125">240</td>
<td width="125">830</td>
<td width="125">1070</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The only real question here was which Sedin got listed first. And given that, as far as we can tell, these forwards aren’t meant to be ranked amongst themselves, that’s not even really a question.

Either way, it’s Henrik, based on both the slightly higher point total and the whole captaincy thing.

Really, no one comes close to what the Sedins have done in this century for the Canucks, and it will still be a while before anyone even has the chance to come close. In an all-time ranking, the Sedins still have to duke it out with Pavel Bure. Here, they’re in a class of their own.

Daniel Sedin
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">1306</td>
<td width="125">393</td>
<td width="125">648</td>
<td width="125">1041</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
You can take most of what we said about Henrik and apply it to Daniel, which has often been the case in their careers. They started with the Canucks right in the year 2000, really maximizing their chances of one day being named to this entirely meaningless Quarter-Century Team, and then they put in 18 good years.

Of particular note with Daniel is the fact that he has scored more than 100 more goals than any other Canuck this century.

Markus Naslund
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">604</td>
<td width="125">261</td>
<td width="125">323</td>
<td width="125">584</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The cutoff date being January 1, 2000, actually serves Naslund particularly well, because while he joined the Canucks in 1996, he didn’t start playing like a true superstar until the 2000/2001 season. In other words, this arbitrary measure cuts out Naslund's worst years and isolates his best.

Which, of course, were pretty darn good. A near-point-per-game run, a Lester B. Pearson Trophy, and a brief stint as potentially the greatest player in the world. Oh, and a captaincy on top of it all. 

Team 1: Defence 

Quinn Hughes
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">388</td>
<td width="125">48</td>
<td width="125">313</td>
<td width="125">361</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Yup, it’s already Hughes, and to be perfectly honest, it’s not particularly close. While Alex Edler held the record for most points by a defenceman this century for five years – and with 550 more games than Hughes – it didn't take long for the current Canucks captain to catch him, as he broke that record on Sunday morning against the Detroit Red Wings.

Hughes is, quite simply, the greatest defenceman to suit up for this franchise in its history, no matter the century.

Alex Edler
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">925</td>
<td width="125">99</td>
<td width="125">310</td>
<td width="125">409</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Our first real difficult decision of this exercise: Mattias Öhlund and Kevin Bieksa definitely deserve consideration here, but we went with Edler based on his number one quality: longevity. In the end, it’s got to count for something, and maybe a little extra when it’s coming from a defender as rugged as Edler.

Even though Hughes has caught Edler in points, it’ll be a while before he clears him in the category of “important minutes played.”

Team 1: Goaltender 

Roberto Luongo
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="156"> </td>
<td width="156">Record</td>
<td width="156">GAA</td>
<td width="156">Save %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="156">Since 2000</td>
<td width="156">252-137-50</td>
<td width="156">2.36</td>
<td width="156">.919</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
And now, back to the easy calls. With all due respect to the other great goalies that have tended the Vancouver net this quarter-century, it’s Luongo, and it’s not even close. He’s got more than double the win totals of anyone else, and those wins came at a time when the Canucks were the best of the best.

Until another goalie gets the Canucks closer to hockey’s ultimate glory (and there’s only one way to do that), this honour is Luongo’s to lose.

Team 2: Forwards

Todd Bertuzzi
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">429</td>
<td width="125">169</td>
<td width="125">235</td>
<td width="125">404</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
As controversial as Bertuzzi eventually became, one cannot deny the strength of his peak. There was a brief period of time when Bertuzzi was not just the game’s greatest power forward but perhaps its most impactful player overall.

There are a few forwards with higher point-per-game totals we could have picked here, but it’s all those other qualities that allow Bertuzzi to hold down this spot, at least for now.

Ryan Kesler
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">655</td>
<td width="125">182</td>
<td width="125">211</td>
<td width="125">393</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Speaking of intangibles:

On a purely statistical level, there are probably other forwards who should get this spot. But then Kesler did all that he did while simultaneously being one of, if not the, greatest defensive forwards in franchise history.

Kesler, like Bertuzzi, can also lean on the strength of his peak, namely that 41-goal, Selke-winning performance in 2011. That still stands as one of the best singular seasons by a Canuck ever.

JT Miller
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">381</td>
<td width="125">149</td>
<td width="125">269</td>
<td width="125">418</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Miller beats out a number of his contemporaries on the strength of his consistency. He’s been a revelation ever since arriving in Vancouver and appears to only be getting better with age.

From malcontent to heart-and-soul, <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/usa-hockey-fully-expect-vancouver-canucks-jt-miller-available-4-nations-faceoff-report">Miller has become an entirely different player</a> since becoming a Canuck, and we have little doubt he’ll continue to add to these totals as soon as he’s back in the lineup. 

Honourable Mentions: Elias Pettersson, Alexandre Burrows, Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser

Team 2: Defence

Mattias Öhlund
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">619</td>
<td width="125">77</td>
<td width="125">183</td>
<td width="125">260</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Past Hughes, there’s a large conglomeration of defenders who could reasonably receive this honour. Speaking of honour, we went with Ring of Honour inductee Öhlund here, primarily based on his two-way greatness.

Öhlund put up points when a lot of defenders weren’t while matching up with some of the best forwards of his era, including memorable battles with Jarome Iginla. One has to wonder what Öhlund could have been without his various injuries, but what he was was enough to crack this Quarter-Century Team.

Kevin Bieksa
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125"> </td>
<td width="125">Games</td>
<td width="125">Goals</td>
<td width="125">Assists</td>
<td width="125">Points</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="125">Since 2000</td>
<td width="125">597</td>
<td width="125">56</td>
<td width="125">185</td>
<td width="125">241</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
There are a number of others who could claim this last spot, even beyond our short list of Honourable Mentions below. But when it comes to making a mark on the team, Bieksa is first and everyone else second.

Whether it was scoring in big moments or bringing Rogers Arena to their feet with a well-timed fight, Bieksa did it all, and he made it all fun. Few larger personalities have or will pass through this organization, which separates Bieksa neatly enough from the rest of the best of the Vancouver blueline.

Honourable Mentions: Sami Salo, Ed Jovanovski, Dan Hamhuis

Team 2: Goaltender

Thatcher Demko
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="156"> </td>
<td width="156">Record</td>
<td width="156">GAA</td>
<td width="156">Save %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="156">Since 2000</td>
<td width="156">116-81-17</td>
<td width="156">2.79</td>
<td width="156">.912</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The bubble performance and the Vezina nomination are probably enough to snag Demko this spot on their own. But then he also has the best record of anyone other than Luongo in this century, including 17 more wins than Jacob Markstrom in 10 fewer games.

Demko has been the better goalie on better teams, and that’s enough to put him here. That he still has a chance to add to his record between now and January 1, 2025, is just a bonus.

Honourable Mentions: Jacob Markstrom, Ryan Miller, Cory Schneider

Sponsored by bet365
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Black Friday is HERE, Nation Citizens! 🏒 Score 15% off all your favorites, including the brand-new "My City" Collection and fresh drops you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re gifting a die-hard fan or upgrading your own game-day fit, Nation Gear has you covered. Spend over $200, and enjoy free shipping, too! 🛍️ But hurry—this one-week-only deal is live now! Shop exclusively at nationgear.ca and make this holiday season unforgettable!

Who makes the Canucks’ quarter-century team?

Jonathan Lekkerimäki during the Vancouver Canucks' 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets at the 2024 Young Stars Classic from Penticton, BC.

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