Christmas Message to all Ducks Fans

Christmas is always a time of Celebration with Friends and Family for our Ducks it's a time to Appreciate and be Proud of our team's success This year despite falling short against a Bitter Enemy. Being on Top of the NHL at First place in is no easy task. League standings is a Dogfight as it has been for as long as we know. Adversity has tested the Ducks these past few months be it Injuries to the Mumps Depth aka "Strength in Numbers" has strengthen resolve of the team and many Ducks fans. Watching the game live at Home Opener and Sunday made me never EVER take for granted seeing this team excel and Proving those who hate us wrong. Be it Goaltending or Scoring Ducks are slowly turning to our Youth to guide them back to Promise land. I can honesty tell you that 8th year I have travel to see the Ducks made me humble,Feel at home and be Grateful let alone Bless to make Friends who share not only my love of the Ducks but Hockey itself. No Words to describe Emotions I am full of joy looking back at the Photos of this Year's Ducks Roadtrip. Whether it be Enjoying the nightlife of San Juan Capistrano or meeting other Ducks fans at the Ponda or Ducks fan faceoff fest. Makes me Smile This team is doing so well with Roster in place and Ducks fans are truly Classy in my heart I believe this. So I say to all Ducks fans in Orange County Califorina,USA,Finland,Sweden,Canada and Beyond Merry CHRISTMAS and Happ Holidays...GO DUCKS! :). DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

Ducks vs LA:Message to all Ducks fans!

Not a Day,Month and week has gone by since that Night...Ducks Losing 6-2 was not only the worst loss in Team History as One Ducks fan has been quoted. But to others Like me it was Longterm sting that did not do away. As Much as we can understand what happen Let us not be Deter nor Lose Hope......We Ducks Fans be it Diehards,True Blue or Newbies.Those on Ducks Message Board,Facebook,Twitter and Instagram know that we will meet them sometime early this season. This week is now and Importance is not only Symbolic yet Vital to all be it the Ducks and Ducks fans alike. Past Summer we have heard LA Fans gout how their team was "Kings of California" and they have one more Cup then our team. We tolerated showed Class but the time for that is OVER and done with. Let us NOT be Undeterred by what happen last time Ducks Fought and Battle LA months ago,Let us NOT BE UNDETERRED by LA being Stanley Cup Champs. Teams like LA or any Champions in NFL,MLB or NBA do not repeat or fail in Defend their Championship Title...They fall as any team does after a Big Win. I am SICK AND TIRED of being told or consider 2nd Fiddle to the Kings. We know our team has the players,Strength in Numbers to OVERTHROW LA and SMASH them to dust. #BEATLA is our responds to them during the 7 game 2nd round Battle in late April and May. the word is more important THEN EVER for all Ducks Fans then ever before. Ducks Fans and the Ducks must not be Undaunted this Wednesday and Saturday when they invade staples centre. the Team MUST SHOW THEM NO MERCY,NO QUARTER and all Ducks must contribute in defeating LA make not only a Statement BUT Avenge the Sting of the loss to our Enemy all those months ago. We may not have two of our Ducks Leaders in the Lineup at this moment yet this team must stand United and step up in the face of overwhelming Odds and snap out of this funk of losing 3 straight. To all Ducks fans attending I ask you all to Out cheer LA Fans,DROWN THEM out. We may be facing adversity But our team is Battle Tested and MUST be ready to BATTLE their Enemy from the start of the game till the end for Honor Demands we avenge the 2nd round loss to LA No more NO LESS. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

Thank You Jean Sebastien Giguere:From Moose to Duck

"Who is this guy" those were my thoughts when I first saw Giguere at a Mooseheads game in 1996. It would never occur that a full decade later, he would be wearing the Mighty Ducks/Ducks crest with Pride and Honor. Fast forward to March 9th 2007 aka year of the Duck as I call it and later it would be a special moment in my life as Avid Ducks Fan and as a Person. Seeing a Familiar Face a Goaltender who a decade ago began his career in my Hometown. JS Giguere aka Jiggy as Many Ducks fans locally in Orange County and around Ducks Nation has left a positive and everlasting Mark on our Team. There are no words in describing How I felt seeing him coming for Practice and Getting his Pic and Autograph 7 years ago. His arrival to the Ducks after few stints in the AHL lead to the connection between My Favorite Team and My city. Many things that stand out that made Jiggy what he is. His defiant stances against Detroit during the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs and many outstanding saves that year to leading and contributing in The Ducks winning their First Stanley Cup 4 years later. It's such a feeling that a small world like mine that seeing a Goalie that no one in this region of Canada would though be a NHL Starter but be one of several players to guide the FIRST California Team to Win the Stanley Cup in NHL History Records he has establish as Ducks Goalie stands tall as if time itself cemented his place in Ducks History 206 Wins,32shutouts,.914 SV% 447GAMES Played,it says it all of this man. Needless to say I will always remember that fact he was able to weather the storm while Guys like Getz,Pears and others develop into the Leaders we have now,While Teemu and Niedermayer Bros along with few others contributed to the Ducks Cause. Picture that I have is Giggy standing tall with a Puck in his glove and raising it to the air...Symbolic moment for All Ducks fans and the Ducks in General telling the Hockey world including the Purists,Trolls and the Haters of Hockey in Non-tradtional Market that YES Ducks are here and they are Ready to Prove them wrong. Tenure with the Ducks from 2000 to 2010 lead me in 2001 to Create my Ducks Message Board nickname..."MooseDuck" a Name I felt was a connection between My Favorite Team of all Sports and my hometown Junior team. As many of you know and understand I am always a Giggy supporter and no I am not a Player only Fan just a Team First Fan who in regards to my Passionate and Love for the Ducks and Ducks Fans as a whole. Seeing him and Teemu take that final lap around the Ponda made me smile and think of my friends in SoCal who watch every Ducks game live,on TV and online....You know who you are. I can honestly say this with a smile and Big Heart ...Thank You Jiggy for all you have done for the Ducks,Thank you for contributing to the Teams First Stanley Cup and 03 Stanley Cup Playoff run,Thank You for Putting Anaheim Ducks on the Map and showing Perseverance and never giving up can lead you to Greatness. Thank You for shutting out Opposition during 02-03 seasons in Dec 2002,Thank You for showing up to Dipentas Stanley Cup party and Thank You for giving this Ducks fan a reason to be Inspire as all the players have done prior. This has earn you the Title of Ducks Legend alongside that of Ducks Legend and Icon Teemu Selanne. My Thank You maybe abit late But I say this with Season a month away to go...Thank You Jiggy and for all Ducks Fans raise your glass in a toast to Giguere not as NHL Goalie but a Ducks Alltime Goaltending Leader who set the mark for all Future Ducks Goalies to come up soon....Thank You Jiggy. :) DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

My Ducks All Ducks Team 20th Anniversary special

with Ducks 14-15 season 69 days away and off season being a slow as it has one has to look at success and the Players the Ducks had in their lineup in past 20 years. It's been months since the last game and at times Ducks fans like myself wonder what planes do Bob Murray aka Barstool Bob have in store in reshaping and Upgrading the roster for the upcoming Hockey Campaign. But as we look forward one must always remember and appreciate the Past. I know some Ducks fans always look forward but looking back is vital to remember the history and how this Team has adapted and overcome adversity time after time. All time Ducks team has been promoted about each Ducks fan on Ducks Message Board,Facebook and other social media has shown a Ducks fan POV on what makes a true All Ducks team. To me the Players I have part in what I believe comprise of a All-Ducks team is as follows from look over stats,Roster and of course certain contributions Players have made. So without further ado here is My All-Time Ducks Roster: Forwards 1.Penner-Getzlaf-Perry 2.Kariya-Rucchin-Selanne 3.Sacco-Macdonald-Sykora 4.Lupul-Pahlsson-Parros Koviu Defence 1.Pronger-Niedermayer 2.Salei-Carney 3.Dollas-Beauchemin Visnovsky Goaltending 1.Giguere 2.Hiller 3.Hebert This is what I feel makes a team exceptional and a reminder that our team has come along way. Agree or disagree Ducks have alot of players who contributed to our Cause and did so much in 20 years from Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya to J-S Giguere and emergence of some of the Young Guns within Ducks Ranks. whatever 14-15 season brings Let it be known Ducks will be Ready to UNLEASH HELL when the Puck Drops. Hopefully I will be there to see it :). DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

Ducks Offseason:New Players,New Look and a New Phase

Weeks have pass and we have seen many changes Ducks have been through over the Summer. Arrival of Ryan Kesler, Nate Thompson via Trades and signing of Clayton Stoner and Dany Heatley via FA Signings has signal not only purpose but Desire on the Ducks who seek not only Redemption.......But VENGEANCE against the Stanley Cup Champion la kings.What we see from these trades and signings is Ducks are determine not to let things falter in the Stanley Cup Playoffs all over again Kesler we know before the Trade was offical his name was link to our Ducks for months. Since Trade deadline and rumors that slowly have ground, from article on OCregister to news Ducks were pursuing him at this year's Trade deadline. Aquiring him address the need for a 2nd line center need of a center behind Getzlaf was something needed to be address for 7 years not since the days when Andy Mac was centering the 2nd Line. Trade for Thompson and signing of Heatley seems to me it was a move to strengthening the Depth and add some experince. With Departure of Koviu Ducks need a new Player down the middle with Getzlaf and Kesler as 1 and 2. Spreading out the offense and not losing "The Farm" to get Kesler and Thompson was imho a great move to shore up a Roster full of Youth and having eagerness to set things right. It's clear Ducks lack 2nd line center was something that gave us a disadvantage during the Freeway faceoff battle with the Enemy. Clear from the get go need was necessary to trade for a 2nd Line Center to help releive the focus on Getzlaf and spread the offense. Signings of Stoner address Defence Corps by adding another Big Gritty D-man. Yet we cannot forget He is meant to replace Souray who is retiring and not coming back to our team. This leaves Ducks with Allen 6-5 and Stoner and 6-4. Size is Good and hopeful they can with Re-signing of Sami V can continue to develop Ducks Defence Corps into a Strong and capable Defence in the NHL for years to come. Finally there is Dany Heatley a chance for him to rejuvenate his career and give our Ducks experience in scoring depth. The team is no stranger in giving those 2nd chances think Todd Bertuzzi. Nate Thompson I am interested to see what he brings to the Ducks if he turns out well it maybe another Diamond in rough Trade Ducks have been known to do. With New Players adding to a Young Group comes a New Look..As many have seen at the NHL Draft the Ducks have introduce New Uni's by promoting the Ducks 4th Alt to the Black Home Uni and New Road Uni that I give 2 thumbs up. Ducks D look I read on Ducks Message Board have gotten great reviews. For Me Personally I am very Happy and Pleased by the New Look which is fitting Ducks selected a determine Left Winger from Peterborough Petes who is determine to make the team. Ducks D Unis is symbolic cause it represents Adapting evolution of Ducks Unis from Ducks Logo to Web foot D....I have nothing against the Old Look for 8 years it serve Ducks fans well with Pride and appreciation. As August apporach and Me making plans to see the team and My friends I hope to again embrace the Ducks New Phase. After 20th anniversary Season it's time to begin a New Chapter of Ducks Hockey :). DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

Ode to Teemu Selanne:Ducks Legend,National Hero and Great Player!

I remember Ducks making that Trade as if it was yesterday TSN reported and I was at home after School at the time. My reaction was priceless, shock and Happy. To me it was something the then-Mighty Ducks did to make a statement that day.Something that says we want to win and we are ready to do to do this. Trading Chad Kilger and Oleg Tverdosky for Teemu Selanne was symbolic in many ways. It tells all Hockey purists that the Team name after a kids movie want to be taken seriously and was ready to take the next step. Of course it did not come easily for our team back in the early years...constant struggles and having two players one that is Paul carry the lead of Offense for the Ducks during the ime when other NHL Fans mostly trolls mock us,laugh it at us even suggest we were nothing more then a fad Selanne's upbeat personality represent our Ducks positive attitude and relentless pursue to prove Those who stand against us be it Critics,Naysayers,Trolls or Hockey Purists as I call it Hockey did not work in SoCal. But it Did and Teemu was able to provide night in and Night out along with Giguere that Hockey can be successful in a Non-Traditional Market The Chants.....Oh My those Chants hearing that day send chills down my spine "Teemu,Teemu Teemu Teemu". Mark he left on the Anaheim Ducks,Communities of Orange County and SoCal. it made me Pause from time to time thinking Ducks fans worldwide from Orange County to Nova Scotia and Finland were bless he wore the Ducks D and before that Mighty Ducks Logo with honor,strength and Pride. Leading by Example was something that many within our Fanbase know very well.His all time stats says it all...Leader in Goals:457,Assists:531,Points:988,Games Played:966,PP:182,GW:77.GT:9,OT Goals:6 and Shots:2'964. No Player has contribute so much from 1996 to 2001 from 2005 to 2014. His off ice contribution was something special be it his visits to CHOC(Childrens Hospital of Orange County) at Christmas along with other Ducks to raise spirits and morale of Young Fans to his founding of youth Sports foundation for children and their familes who don't have means to participate in structure sports be it Hockey or other sports. No Matter how we look at it Teemu Left a Big Impression on the Ducks which I always call him a Ducks Legend. He is the First and knowing his Number 8 will be retire is something we know once the puck Drop for Ducks 13-14 20th Anniversay Season. We know this that all he has done he earn that right. Even though he did not win a Stanley Cup in his final Season let us not lament on "what IF's" of that 6-2 Loss to our Enemy. We know that Teemu not only made our Ducks Proud but a Nation in Finland smiles knowing their National Hero has made their Country proud knowing Hard Work and Dedication can overcome adversity. I know most of us feel the sting of Teemu Selanne's being rob of his Proper GoodBye but all of us can agree that "Ducks Legend" is something Teemu Selanne has earn from all Ducks Fans worldwide....all shall understand this Meaning!. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

Response to LA Winning their 2nd Stanley Cup

I know the feeling...It's demoralizing,Sad and insufferable. Not only we see our Enemy raise the Stanley Cup in SoCal but there are good and bad out of this. The Bad Queens fans some of them bandwagoners will be rubbing it in our face for months. The Good it will motivate our Ducks to not only Do more in the coming months by getting read for Draft and Free Agent Frenzy. But be Prepare to avenge the 6-3 Loss to LA in WC Semifinals. So LA has Two Stanley Cups to our Ducks 1 Yes that is true. LA was the better team of course which I admit they never gave up when facing odds. However seeing that pic of them taking that Stanley Cup Photo does not nor should make us mad....It should make us determine and the Ducks Hungry to set things Right. Mark it down on the calender once the 14-15 season schedule is out,Ducks should be itching NO looking FORWARD to avenge the loss to LA. I know it stings for many But we cannot lament and ask "What If" in regards to the Ducks game 7 loss. We can take comfort our team has BRIGHT future and players who will be ready to pursue the Goal of winning our 2nd Stanley Cup. make no Mistake Ducks Winning the Stanley Cup 7 years ago and LA winning twice has shown Hockey LIVES in California. People from SoCal to NorCal enjoy the sport as much as People in Boston to Republic of Finland. Rivalry is now intense and Freeway faceoff Playoff war is etch in minds of Ducks fans and LA fans alike. No matter what WE in Ducks Nation as I now call Ducks fans from Orange County California to Canada,Finland and elsewhere have witness a Changing of the Guard this year. With Ducks Legend Teemu Selanne Retiring and Saku too the Young Guns know that to the Stanley Cup to Beat the Best you must be the Best and TAKE out our Enemy who are now the Stanley Cup Champs. Ducks will have LA in it's crosshairs...Rest assure when the Puck Drops and 14-15 season begins a New Chapter in our Battle with our Mortal Enemy begins anew. Let us remeber one thing and One thing with clear memory. Ducks won the Stanley Cup First and they were the FIRST California Base team to win it all. You can say we were the pioneers Nothing more nothing less. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

June 6 2007:Ducks Won the Stanley Cup and D-Day

7 years ago and it seems like yesterday still...I remember watching it on tv seeing the players all who I got to autograph my Ducks Uni months prior. The Joy,Happiness and the tears of pride When the final buzzer sound. To me personally and I know Ducks fans in Orange County California. It was 14 years of struggle,perseverance and overcoming obstacles be it mockery of our name to Trolls who bash us each year on Ducks Message Board. This was vindication for many that Hockey in California works and it's for everyone. I am not going to tell you how I felt but make it short I ran from room to room shouting "Anaheim Ducks 4ever" before shedding tears of joy. Everyone who knows me including those who read my blog and some "Passion" Posts I make no apologies for my love of the team and of the Region of California that is SoCal. the goals,Saves and when Scott Niedermayer hoist the Stanley Cup with roar of the crowd....I said to myself "Hoist it to Heaven" Captain. the Stanley Cup pass from player to player from Niedermayer Bros to J-S Giguere and Joe Dipenta all the way to Teemu Selanne. Big Roar he recieve send chills down my spine. Still Thinking bout it now made me appreciate and smile knowing this Men and those wore the Ducks Uni with Honor,Pride and Dedication. I think back to that year making a life changing trip in March. Not knowing what to expect and meeting new Friends,I think back to seeing each player Who I follow all my life. 2007 was the Year of the Ducks having capture Pacific Division Title First time at conclusion of 2007..the Push towards the Stanley Cup started with overwhelming Minnisota and Vancouver to the memorable Battle with Detroit. Finnally arriving at the Stanley Cup Final which they wipe away Ottawa with Dominance and Ruthless aggression. Seven years maybe long but forever we must remeber as it was yesterday. Symbolism of that Victory on June 6th goes hand in hand with a great moment in Human History. D-Day began when United States,Canada and it's allies launch the liberation of Europe and free a People. So I say to you all raise a Glass and Toast to not only the Ducks Stanley Cup Victory...But Raise it higher for those who serve well and Landed the beaches of Normandy 70 years ago to liberate the people from Evil :). DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

Hello and Greetings....It's been awhile

You may wonder where was I during the Ducks 20th anniversary season?...Well You guess it busy be it watching them on TSN,CBC or NHL Network. Or Listen to the Radio am830. I like to take this moment to speak openly and honestly. Since the past months from Game 1 to Ducks terrible Loss to our Enemy. I have reflected many times....Too many one would ask.....Yet I have sense appreciation of the Ducks fans I have met over the years be it Ducks Message Board,Facebook and Twitter. Looking at the Photos I have taken. Many including Friends I have made lead me to understand Ducks fans are a Unique Breed be it Orange County California,Finland and Beyond. This 20th Anniversary season has lead me to a deep understand and though of the Ducks,Ducksfans and of course Hockey in California. I have come to a Honest Conclusion over the coming weeks I will be covering some topics close to all of the DucksFans hearts. To me it's better to understand and clearly look at the Past,Present and Future no matter what We are United as One and our love for the Ducks and Hockey as a whole. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck