Ducks icons Ryan Getzlaf, Teemu Selanne leave imprint on region
ANAHEIM — Ahead of their third meeting with the Winnipeg Jets in 13 days, the Ducks were looking for a potential milestone from a forward and continued production from their defense.
Ryan Getzlaf entered the evening two points shy of Teemu Selanne’s 988 points as a Duck, the most in franchise history. Selanne, who began his career with the original iteration of the Winnipeg Jets that later moved to Arizona, first graced Anaheim with his presence in the mid-90s. After stints with Colorado and San Jose, he returned to Anaheim for good.
Ten seasons later, Getzlaf arrived in the Ducks’ dressing room, one year before the two forwards would hoist the Stanley Cup together. In the decade and a half since, much has changed in Southern California’s hockey scene.
“I think it’s neat to be part of that whole progress. Obviously when we won the Stanley Cup, how big news that was. At the time there were only a few rinks here. Now, if you want to start playing hockey as a young boy or girl, you have so many opportunities,” Selanne told the Winnipeg Free Press.
Selanne, whose children have grown up spending time in both Orange County and his native Finland, said he has seen opportunities for them to play proliferate and that the Ducks’ efforts to strengthen the region’s hockey infrastructure have impressed him deeply.
Getzlaf, now in his 12th season as Ducks captain, has spent his entire career with the organization. Since he and longtime running mate Corey Perry, now with the Tampa Bay Lightning, won the Cup as fresh-faced contributors, he has led the Ducks to the conference finals twice.
He could have left Anaheim last season at the trade deadline or over the summer when he was an unrestricted free agent, but Getzlaf returned on a one-year contract. That’s given him the opportunity to mentor young centers such as Trevor Zegras, and also to cement himself as the most prolific player in franchise history.
FOWLER LAUDS DRYSDALE
The Ducks’ defense has been a significant part of their reinvigorated offense and power play this season, with veteran Kevin Shattenkirk and rookie Jamie Drysdale contributing the most thus far.
Drysdale followed the path of teammates Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm, highly touted defensemen who made quick leaps to the NHL. Lindholm played one season in the minors, while Fowler and Drysdale saw significant time in the NHL right after they were drafted.
“For me, it was very challenging, luckily I had nothing but support within the organization,” Fowler said. “It’s not lost on people who hard it is to make that transition.”
Fowler said Drysdale was making an even more seamless transition, tossing out plaudits like the Ducks’ defense corp has dished out assists this season.
“He’s a great kid, he really listens when people try and help. He doesn’t need a whole lot of help, he’s doing a great job,” Fowler said. “He’s miles ahead of where I was when I was that age. He’s a mature kid, he’s taken everything in stride and he’s been given a lot of responsibility, too.”
DUCKS PART WITH VOLKOV
According to multiple reports, the Ducks and Russian forward Alexander Volkov are parting ways. Volkov was traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Ducks and signed a one-year contract before the season.
After being assigned to the minor leagues, it appears his contract will be terminated, leaving him to pursue other opportunities in the NHL or in the Moscow native’s home country.