Markus Naslund

Swedish-born National Hockey League winger Markus Naslund played 15 seasons in the NHL, finishing his career with the New York Rangers.

Naslund announced his retirement from the NHL on May 4, 2009.CBSSports.com: Current Ranger, former Canuck, Penguin Naslund retires

Naslund was drafted 16th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1991 NHL entry draft and played his first season with the team two years later. After two years of shuffling Naslund in and out of their lineup, the Penguins traded him to the Vancouver Canucks in 1996.

With the Canucks, Naslund improved steadily over the next few seasons to become the top scorer and team MVP every year from 1999 through 2004. He became the captain of the team at the beginning of the 2000-2001 season and went on to score a career high of 104 points during the 2003-2004 season as a member of one of the NHL's top lines which teamed him with Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrison.

Naslund holds the franchise records for most goals scored and most points earned, and shares the record for most hat tricks with Tony Tanti. He has won the Canucks' Most Valuable Player Award five times and was the top scorer for seven consecutive years, which are both also franchise records. In 2003, Naslund was voted the League's Outstanding player by the NHL Players Association to win the Lester B. Pearson Award and was nominated for the League MVP Award, the Hart Trophy.

• Edmonton Sun.com: All the Vancouver Canucks had no problems pointing fingers... (April 24, 2007)

• ESPN: NHL 2007 Playoffs Second Round Preview (April 24, 2007)

• ESPN.com: Markus Naslund

• Topix: Markus Naslund News

• Mahalo's Guide to the New York Rangers
  • Official Site of the New York Rangers: Career Stats
  • Height: 5-11
  • Weight: 195
  • Years Pro: 13

• July 30, 1973: Born

• 1991: Drafted 16th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins

• 1993: After playing 3 season in Swedish Elite league, makes NHL debut with Pittsburgh

• 1996: Traded to the Vancouver Canucks

• 1999: First of eight straight 25 goal scoring seasons

• 2003: Selected by NHL Players Association as outstanding player Lester B. Pearson Award

• 2008: Signs with the New York Rangers

• 2009: Retires from the NHL