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