Local hockey hero Trevor Linden jokes that he’s been running through Kitsilano with a weight in one hand and his arm in the air to prepare for his turn as an Olympic torchbearer.
The former Canucks captain will carry the torch Feb. 11 in Coquitlam, one day before the Opening Ceremonies, as the relay winds through the Lower Mainland toward Vancouver.
“I’ve talked to a friend who just ran in Newfoundland with it and she said it was an incredibly moving experience, and I expect it will be no different,” said Linden, who greeted fans and signed autographs inside the Pacific Centre rotunda Thursday.
“With the Opening Ceremonies held the next day, it’s going to be an exciting time.”
Linden, who represented Canada during the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, said one of his favourite memories was the camaraderie between Canadian athletes and getting to meet champions like Catriona Le May Doan.
“You’re super honoured and excited. For a lot of players it was the first time that they’d ever been through something like that. The whole Olympic experience is unique and special.”
