The West Coast Heartbeat: The Legends of Vancouver's Cyclone Taylor Trophy
In the deep-rooted lore of the Vancouver Canucks, certain names carry a weight that transcends time. From the smoky air of the old Pacific Coliseum to the modern roar of Rogers Arena, fans have always known which player truly carries the team on their back. The ultimate way to honour that impact is through the Cyclone Taylor Trophy—the team's official Most Valuable Player award.
The Cyclone Taylor Trophy isn’t just any hardware; it’s a direct link to Vancouver’s hockey soul. Named after Cyclone Taylor—the legend who helped lead the Vancouver Millionaires to a Stanley Cup championship in 1915.
While many greats have held the Cyclone Taylor Trophy, an elite group of six legends has won it three or more times.
The Six Legends: A Legacy of MVP Greatness
Markus Naslund (5-Time Winner): One part of the "West Coast Express”, Markus Naslund wasn’t just a scorer; he became the heartbeat of Canucks hockey. Naslund earned his first Cyclone Taylor Trophy in 1999, but it was his historic four-year run from 2001 to 2004 that cemented his legendary status in Vancouver.
Trevor Linden (4-Time Winner): There’s a reason Trevor Linden is called “Captain Canuck”. Linden didn’t just play for Vancouver; he carried the city’s expectations on his back. His four Cyclone Taylor Trophy wins in 1989, 1991, 1995, and 1996 bookend the era where he grew from a teenage sensation into the warrior who nearly willed the team to a Stanley Cup championship in 1994.
Pavel Bure (3-Time Winner): Pavel Bure was pure adrenaline. Before him, fans never saw speed like that in a Canucks jersey. Winning the Cyclone Taylor Trophy in 1993 and 1994—the peak of his back-to-back 60-goal campaigns—and again in 1998, Bure was the ultimate "edge of your seat" player.
Richard Brodeur (3-Time Winner): Richard Brodeur was the backbone of the Vancouver Canucks during the early 1980s. A three-time Cyclone Taylor Trophy winner (1981, 1982, 1985), “King Richard’s” legendary performance in the 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs remains one of the most iconic stretches in team history, backstopping the underdog Canucks to their first-ever Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Stan Smyl (3-Time Winner): Stan Smyl was—arguably—the original heart and soul. His three Cyclone Taylor Trophy wins in 1980, 1983, and 1986 were a tribute to his legendary grit, proving that in Vancouver, hard work is valued just as highly as skill.
Orland Kurtenbach (3-Time Winner): Orland Kurtenbach started it all. As the Vancouver Canucks' first-ever captain, Kurtenbach won the team’s MVP award in the franchise’s first three seasons (1971–1973), setting the standard before the trophy even bore Cyclone Taylor's name.
Cyclone Taylor: The Soul of the Vancouver Jersey
From Kurtenbach to Smyl to Brodeur Bure, Linden, and Naslund, the Cyclone Taylor Trophy remains the most prestigious internal honour a Vancouver Canuck can achieve. It’s a testament to the players who didn't just play for Vancouver—they were Vancouver.
Interesting Fact: Since 2019, the Cyclone Taylor Trophy has been awarded to six Canucks; four of them no longer play for Vancouver—Jacob Markstrom, Bo Horvat, J.T. Miller, and Quinn Hughes.