Over the past 10 years, hockey has become a faster, stronger, more skilled and more exciting global game, with countless new superstars emerging. As the decade wraps up with the clock striking midnight on Dec. 31, it's time to look back on the players who dominated the 2010s for the NHL's seven Canadian teams.
So, before we sing "Auld Lang Syne" and ring in a new year — and a new chapter in hockey — let's take a look at Sporting News' Vancouver Canucks all-decade team.
(All stats are through games played on Dec. 22)
All-Decade Teams: Calgary Flames | Edmonton Oilers | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators | Toronto Maple Leafs | Winnipeg Jets
Forward: Elias Pettersson
Why he's here: The 2017 fifth-overall pick hasn't been around for long but has already earned his place on the franchise's all-decade team. Coming over from SHL and joining the ranks of the NHL for the 2018-19 campaign, the Swede hit the ground running with a goal and assist in his NHL debut . On March 18, 2019, Pettersson broke the franchise record for points by a rookie (61) . He ended his freshman year leading all Vancouver skaters and NHL rookies with 66 points, which earned him the Calder Trophy.
By the numbers: One Calder Memorial Trophy. One NHL All-Star Game. NHL All-Rookie Team. One Pavel Bure Award. One Cyrus H. McLean Trophy.
Forward: Daniel Sedin
Why he's here: One-half of the legendary duo — the Sedin twins — Daniel dominated the 2010s. In 2011, he won the Art Ross Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award, and was the runner-up for the Hart Trophy, after posting a league-leading 104 points over the course of the 2010-11 regular season.
Sedin's 550 points in the 2010s ranked him 25th among all NHLers, while he also ranks 15th in game-winning goals (46). His 204 goals in the decade also places him atop the Canucks leaderboard.
By the numbers: Four Cyrus H. McLean Trophies. Three NHL All-Star Games. Two Cyclone Taylor Trophies. One Art Ross Trophy. One Lester B. Pearson Award. One King Clancy Memorial Trophy. One NHL First All-Star Team. One NHL Second All-Star Team. One Canucks Three Stars Award. BC Hockey Hall of Fame. BC Sports Hall of Fame. Hart Trophy finalist.
Forward: Henrik Sedin
Why he's here: Named the Canucks' captain at the start of the decade in the team's 40th season opener, Henrik was one of the most memorable players in franchise history — and in the last 10 years.
After winning the Hart and Art Ross Trophies in 2010, he led Vancouver to the Presidents' Trophy and Stanley Cup Final in 2011. Sedin's 445 assists in the decade ranked ninth among all NHL forwards while his 557 points rank him No. 1 for the Canucks in the last decade.
By the numbers: Four Cyrus B. McLean Trophies. Two NHL All-Star Games. Two King Clancy Memorial Trophies. Two NHL First All-Star Teams. One Hart Trophy. One Art Ross Trophy. Two Cyclone Taylor Trophies. One Canucks Three Stars Award. BC Hockey Hall of Fame. BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Defense: Alex Edler
Why he's here: Still a staple on the backend for the Canucks, Edler has been one of the most important parts of the franchise for some time. The defenseman ranks third among all Canucks skaters in points (301) and games played (629) in the last decade. Vancouver's top skater in terms of average time on ice (24:04), his point total sits 25th among all NHL blueliners.
By the numbers: Three Walter (Babe) Pratt Trophies. One NHL All-Star Game.
The 2010s: Crosby named NHL Athlete of the Decade | NHL All-Decade Team
Defense: Kevin Bieksa
Why he's here: Like Edler, Bieksa played a significant role on the team's blue line and power play in the early 2010s.
A gritty, hard-hitting defenseman, Bieksa stood up for his teammates and was a big personality and leader in the locker room while showing prowess at both ends of the ice. He showed off heroics in the playoffs with clutch goals and plays, leading all defensemen in playoff goals (10) and is sixth among all players in playoff points (20) in the decade; three points behind Edler. His 92 assists and 122 points rank third among all Vancouver defensemen throughout the decade.
Goaltender: Roberto Luongo
Why he's here: One of the top netminders in league history, Luongo's decade started off with a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics. With the Canucks, he posted a franchise-best in wins (117) and shutouts (16) along with a .918 save percentage (second-best) in 211 games played.
In 2010-11, he collected 38 wins (tied for first in the NHL with Carey Price) and was third with a .928 save percentage among goalies who played in at least 30 games — leading to a Vezina Trophy nomination. With partner Cory Schneider, they captured the 2011 William M. Jennings Trophy by allowing a league-low 185 goals. That postseason, Luongo won 15 games, four via shutout, as the Canucks went to the Stanley Cup Final.
By the numbers: Two Canucks Three Stars Awards. One William M. Jennings Trophy. Vezina Trophy finalist.
Coach: Alain Vigneault
Why he's here: Vigneault's tenure in the 2010s may have been short, but he made a strong impact leading the team to four consecutive playoff berths from 2010-13.
During his four seasons to start the decade (2009-10 to 2012-13), he coached the Canucks to a winning record in each one, which saw them lead the entire NHL in points (390), points percentage (.663) and tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for the fewest losses (84). He also led the team to back-to-back Presidents' Trophies in 2011 and 2012, and the franchise's third-ever Stanley Cup Final appearance.
By the numbers: One NHL All-Star Game (coach). Jack Adams Award finalist.