Anaheim Ducks at 20:Talent and Skill

2 Months from now our Anaheim Ducks will celebrate 20 years in NHL.Twenty Years......20 years of battling,overcoming adversity,haters and roadblocks that stood in our way. 20 Years of Fighting against all odds proving to those in Hockey World that a team like ours with a funny name and unique Hockey Sweater design and colors can battle,compete and stand toe-to-toe with NHL's Elites. As the Countdown towards the Ducks 20th anniversary season begins all Ducks fans including those in Orange County and elsewhere should reflect on how far our team has come. It was not long ago we were mocked,laugh at and at times be part of Hockey Purists insults but we strive and persevere through it all. Steely resolve of our team and Ducks Fans alike has given us a sense of Pride and inspire to do great things. Over the course of a few weeks I will be speaking honestly of the Ducks past....From the Draft Picks and Players they acquire via Trade or Free agent signings to the accomplishments both Team and Player has earn. To be fair to all including my critics on Ducks Message Board I will include best and sometimes worst results that our team has fallen short be it the Dark days when the Ducks were struggling from the early years to the pitfalls of being consider Fodder in the early 21s century. One should understand and know that History especially our Ducks is very VITAL to us all as Ducks Fans. Talent and Skill has been hallmark of the Ducks Drafting habits in NHL Draft for past 20 years...Since drafting a Young college Player name Paul Kariya every player who has worn our Ducks D and before that DuckMask has shown what make them worthy of wearing our Team's Colors. As Much as we have always disagree or agree the Ducks have at times put faith in the Players they drafted who then as I say "Develop within" the system. Keep in mind though it's in the Team's Character over the two decades they have allow homegrown Talent to thrive and contribute alot to the Ducks Cause. Be it Vish and Late Ducks Defender Ruslan Salei to Mike Leclerc,Joffery Lupul,Bobby Ryan,Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. To do this takes patience and a thing called waiting to see how well they develop and hone their skills for the good of Ducks Nation. When NHL began sending their Players to Olympics since 1998 our Team has a total of 10 players to the games from USA,Finland,Swiss,Canada and beyond to compete at one of the biggest stages in Hockey. In 2010 Ducks had 9 players to Vancouver games...out of 9 Seven earn Gold,Silver and Bronze Medals. It was in that same Year a Ducks Prospect name Kyle Palmierei help Team USA Earn a WJC Gold in Canada with USA Juniors. year later Another Ducks Prospect aided a USA Juniors to win Bronze. Two years later a Ducks Goalie Prospect John Gibson contributed in helping Team USA earn Junior Gold at World Juniors and Bronze at World Hockey Championships. let's Forget that in 2002 and 1998 Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne became the first two Ducks to earn Olympic Medals Now what does this say bout our team....Of course It speaks of the Truth and Honest Testament of the Talent that makes up our Team. Truth speaks volume in how well the Ducks have brought together players with such talent and skill over the years as they did through the Draft and Trades as we countdown I look continue putting together thoughts on the Players that have contributed so much to the Ducks Cause. We could forget and give too much of expectations to the next generation of Ducks who are rising from the ranks within Roster.....Sometimes those who are hunger and eager to prove themselves lead to players be traded or not sign. It's justified but for the good of our team it's necessary. For now I end this with my usual qoute......DUCKPRIDE 4EVER. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck