6 Former Ducks Among NHL 100

By Michael Walters

The NHL announced their 100 Greatest NHL Players of All Time. Six former Ducks were named in the group which included Teemu Selanne, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Sergei Fedorov, Adam Oates, and Jari Kurri. Let’s take a look at each player starting with the most recent to have played for Anaheim.

Teemu Selanne (1995-96 through 2000-01 and 2005-06 through 2013-14, Mighty Ducks and Anaheim Ducks)

The “Finnish Flash” entered the NHL in 1992-93 with the Winnipeg Jets and he did it in style. Selanne scored 76 goals in his rookie season, which is still an NHL record. After a few seasons with Winnipeg, Selanne was traded to the Mighty Ducks during the 1995-96 season. Selanne played alongside Paul Kariya and the two formed a powerful duo for the Anaheim organization. The two would help the Ducks make their first playoff appearance in 1996-97 and also earn their first series win. The Ducks also made the playoffs in the 1998-99 season but lost in the first round to the Detroit Red Wings. In the 2000-01 season, Selanne would get traded to the San Jose Sharks. Selanne played a few seasons with San Jose and also one season with Paul Kariya in Colorado. Teemu returned to Anaheim in 2005-06 and stayed until he retired in 2013-14.

Selanne created many great memories in Anaheim. Of course one of the best moments was when he helped the Ducks win the first Stanley Cup in California during the 2006-07 season. Some other great moments included him scoring his 500th and 600th goals with the Ducks, playing his final home game at Honda Center with Jean-Sebastien Giguere, and his retirement ceremony. Selanne remains the all-time goals leader with 457, points leader with 988, and most goals for a season with 52(1997-98) for Anaheim among other records. In his career, he scored 684 goals and recorded 773 assists for 1457 total points.

Scott Niedermayer (2005-06 through 2009-10, Mighty Ducks and Anaheim Ducks)

Niedermayer broke on the NHL scene in 1991-92 with the New Jersey Devils. He played 13 seasons with them winning three Stanley Cups(1994–95, 1999–00, 2002–03). Ironically, the Ducks who he beat in the 2002-03 Stanley Cup Final would be his new home after leaving New Jersey. Niedermayer played for the Ducks starting in the 2005-06 season through the 2009-10 season when he retired. As captain of the Ducks in 2006-07, he would lead the Ducks to their first ever Stanley Cup Championship defeating the Ottawa Senators 4-1 in the series. For Scott, it was his fourth Stanley Cup, but it was a little extra special because his brother Rob Niedermayer was also on the team. In his career, Scott Niedermayer recorded 172 goals and 568 assists for a total of 740 points. After retiring from hockey, Scott Niedermayer stayed with the Anaheim organization to help coach younger players such as Cam Fowler.

Chris Pronger (2006-07 through 2008-09, Anaheim Ducks)

Pronger started his NHL career with the Hartford Whalers in 1993-94. He also played for the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, and Philadelphia Flyers. He appeared in the Stanley Cup final with Edmonton, Philadelphia, and Anaheim. He ultimately won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in the 2006-07 season. Scott Niedermayer and Pronger formed the backbone of the Ducks blueline which helped the Ducks win their first ever Stanley Cup Championship with a 16-5 playoff record. In his career, Pronger recorded 147 goals and 541 assists for a total of 698 points.

Sergei Fedorov (2003-04 and 2005-06, Mighty Ducks)

Fedorov entered the NHL in the 1990-91 season with the Detroit Red Wings. He played 13 seasons with Detroit, winning three Stanley Cup Championships(1996-97, 1997-98, and 2001-02). After leaving Detroit, he played for the Mighty Ducks in 2003-04 and part of the 2005-06 season(the 2004-05 season was a lockout year in the NHL). With the Ducks, Fedorov picked up his 1,000th point, becoming the first Russian-born and fifth European-born player to do so in the NHL. Fedorov then played with the Columbus Blue Jackets and finished his career with the Washington Capitals. In his career, Fedorov recorded 483 goals and 696 assists for a total of 1179 points.

Adam Oates (2002-03, Mighty Ducks)

Oates started his NHL career in the 1985-86 season with the Detroit Red Wings. He also played for the St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Washinton Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Edmonton Oilers. During the 2002-03 season, Oates played for the Mighty Ducks. He helped the Ducks make their first ever Stanely Cup Final appearance that season, losing in seven games to the New Jersey Devils. In his career, Oates recorded 341 goals and 1079 assists for a total of 1420 points.

Jari Kurri (1996-97, Mighty Ducks)

Kurri’s first season in the NHL was 1980-81 with the Edmonton Oilers. He played nine seasons in Edmonton alongside the great one Wayne Gretzky winning five Stanley Cup Champions(1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1989–90). He also played for the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, and Colorado Avalanche. In the 1996-97 season, Kurri played for the Mighty Ducks and helped them to their first ever Stanely Cup Playoff appearance and series win. The Ducks beat the Phoenix Coyotes in a seven game series and then ultimately lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the next round. In his career, Kurri recorded 601 goals and 797 assists for a total of 1398 points.

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January 28, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: adam oates, Anaheim Ducks, chris pronger, ducksnpucks, jari kurri, scott niedermayer, sergei fedorov, Teemu Selanne