West Coast express (ice hockey)

The term 'West Coast Express' was a nickname often used to describe the top forward line of the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey club. The line itself consisted of left wing Markus Naslund, center Brendan Morrison, and right wing Todd Bertuzzi. The nickname was derived from a commuter rail service that operates on British Columbia's Lower Mainland, under regional transit authority TransLink.

The line first gained recognition during the 2001-2002 NHL season, with the three above-mentioned players combining for 99 goals, 143 assists and 242 total points during that year. The following season, their most successful as a unit, the line combined for 119 goals, 153 assists and 266 total points. In 2003-2004, the line combined for 74 goals, 130 assists and 204 total points.

During the 2005-2006 season, the line had struggled to match the offensive output of the '01-'02 and '02-'03 seasons, combining for just 76 goals, 130 assists and 206 total points. One local writer referred to them as the 'Dead Coast Express,' because of their lack-luster play under the post-lockout NHL rules. Near the closure of the 2005-06 regular season, the Vancouver Canucks found themselves out of a playoff spot going into a home-and-home series against the San Jose Sharks, which the Canucks had to emerge from victorious if they hoped to qualify for postseason contention. As the Sharks won both games of the series, a Vancouver newspaper ran an article dubbing the Sharks' top line, consisting of Joe Thornton, the season's Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy champion, and Jonathan Cheechoo, the season's Rocket Richard Trophy champion as the "West Coast Express."

Some even argued that the 'West Coast Express' had been replaced by the forward line consisting of left wing Daniel Sedin, center Henrik Sedin and right wing Anson Carter as the Canucks' top offensive unit. This line (called the Brothers Line) made its debut during the 2005-2006 season and combined for 73 goals, 128 assists and 201 total points.

The West Coast Express was broken up after Bertuzzi was traded to the Florida Panthers on June 23, 2006.