Mighty Duck: Teemu Selanne
| 9
|
by user Josh Q. Public
Josh Q. Public: Don’t call it a comeback! I’ve been here for years. Rocking my peers and putting suckas in fear.
Public Service Announcement:
Ok here we go! Make way for ducklings. Make way for the new Comeback Kid. Make way for the Finnish Flash, Teemu Selanne. Teemu Selanne of the Anaheim Ducks. The first place Anaheim Ducks. The best record in hockey Anaheim Ducks. The on their way to the most points and most wins ever Anaheim Ducks. That’s right, they’re looking awfully mighty. In 1995-96, the Detroit Red Wings finished with a record 62 wins. In 1976-77 the Montreal Canadiens set the NHL single season points record of 132 points. Through 36 games this season, The Ducks are on pace for 135 points and 64 wins. Yowza! Much of Anaheim’s success is due in large part to the play of the Finnish Flash. You remember him. You remember when he burst onto the scene back in 1992. You remember when he burst onto the scene with the Winnipeg Jets. You remember when he burst onto the scene with the Winnipeg Jets to set the rookie record with 76 goals during a 132-point campaign. Well he’s back and playing better than ever.
After some not so flashy seasons between 2002 and 2004, the Finnish Flash is back. Back on top. This season, Selanne has smashed through the 500-goal barrier. He becomes only the 36th player to do so. Joining the ranks of players like Rocket Richard, The Great One, Johnny Bucyk, Super Mario, and Brett Hull. Selanne has moved into a third place tie in the NHL scoring race. With his gaudy 19 goals, 24 assists and an Orr like plus-17, he is a major reason why the Ducks are first overall with an unbelievable 25-4-6 record. Sure, the acquisition of all-star defenseman Chris Pronger hasn’t hurt. But, Selanne’s return to top Flash form, top Flash form at the ripe old age of 36, has not only given the Ducks a scoring knock-out punch, but it has also turned a once no name line into NHL stars. In the world of hockey, Chris Kunitz and Andy MacDonald are now household names. Rookie Dustin Penner: “There are nights when Teemu, Koony and Andy are unstoppable. I watched Teemu play for the Jets and was just in awe. Now, I’m his teammate. It’s pretty amazing, in the early ’90s, back when Selanne played for the Jets he was clearly the most popular player in Winnipeg.” Now he’s the most popular player in Anaheim. Now he’s the most popular player in Anaheim after using some time off to have his balky knee scoped and get into the best shape of his life. He signed up with a new Ducks regime. A new Ducks regime coached by his old teammate, Andy Carlyle. He signed up with a new Ducks regime and proceeded to rack up 40 goals and 90 points last year. This year he’s just gone absolutely kablooey. Yes, kablooey. This cat is as thrilled as all get out to be back in Disney Land. Thrilled as all get out to be playing for Carlyle. Thrilled as all get out to be on a line with two thirsty young players. The Finnish Flash: “Koony’s a great story and Andy’s really found his game. And Carlyle? What can I say? In Winnipeg, I once offered him $10,000 to wear his No. 8 jersey and he refused. He doesn’t mind that I wear No. 8 now, and he doesn’t say ‘No’ to me much anymore. As long as we’re winning I don’t think he cares.” As long your winning, no one cares about anything. Teemu Selanne, the Finnish Flash, the feel good story of the NHL.
Peace out homies. Six Two and Even! josh q. public
