Canucks LW Hordichuk speaks on Linden

Dec 17, 2008 - 3:03 AM VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) -- Darcy Hordichuk wanted to clear the air on Tuesday.

The Vancouver Canucks' left wing said he meant no disrespect in a comment he made toward Trevor Linden after his team's 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Sunday.

"It upsets me that this was taken so out of context," Hordichuk said. "How can you say anything bad about Trevor Linden?"

After Hordichuk scored his team's first goal on Sunday, the rugged Hordichuk used a fist-pump celebration.

"We need energy and we're having fun out there," Hordichuk said. "Everybody gets everybody going by having a little bit of a celebration. I think when Trevor Linden was here, not too many guys were celebrating or were allowed to. It's all about fun and when we're winning we're having fun."

On Tuesday, Hordichuk said his comments were taken out of context.

"I've got the utmost respect for Trevor Linden," Hordichuk said. "Not until I got the opportunity to play here did I see how great of a guy he is, what he's done for this organization, what he's done in the community, for his charity. He's just a standup guy and somebody that I think we all admire.

"Being in Canada, I think sometimes things get taken out of context a little bit. All I meant is guys like me don't score a lot of goals, so when I do score a goal I like to celebrate. I think the older generations of guys, when they score they know in two or three games they're going to probably get another goal. When they celebrate they just put their stick up, sometimes when you look at the celebrations I've done, I'm maybe a little overboard, but I didn't mean anything by it."

The Canucks will retire Linden's jersey prior to Wednesday's game against the Edmonton Oilers.