Not day,week,Month or even year goes by thinking bout one of the Former Ducks Defencemen who wore the Mighty Ducks Logo with honor and Pride. Ruslan Salei or many of us Ducks Fans call him "Rusty". We can all say that his passing and tragedy of Lokomotiv Yarsoslavl Plane Crash on Sep7th 2011 not only affected many Ducks Fans including our Ducks in General...But Hockey Fans worldwide. Players including Rusty have play with teams that have connections to NHL,AHL,KHL and other leagues.......It was Fan's worst nightmare losing not only Players but entire Coaching Staff. But Salei's Passing had a tremendous effect on Ducks Fanbase and in Orange County California. Not only Ducks Lost a Former Player but a Wife lost a Husband and Son lost a Father that Terrible Day. No Words describe the numbness knowing that not only Ruslan Salei but Players we know well had their lives cut short...... I believe it's a symbolic Duty for all Ducks fans to Honor Rusty's Life and Contributions to the Ducks Cause...Me Personally it hit me hard that a Player during the Ducks Early Years was gone.
Ruslan Salei was Drafted in 2996 NHL Entry Draft out of IHL's Las Vegas Thunder at 9th Overall of 1st Round of that year's Draft. Born in Nov 2nd 1974 in Minsk,Belarus...Rusty Choose to play in Hockey in North America for the Las Vegas Thunder in 96-97 season...It was during that single season with then now Defunct team at the time he wast scouted by the then-Mighty Ducks who drafted him in the Top Ten. You can say "Rest is History" But History always his story to Tell. From his Hits on Opposing Rivals to scoring important goals in 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
There is so many people who I read,watch and see how Rusty has touched their lives in many different ways. I choose to Honor his Memory by always picking him as part of Ducks All-time team and always love that Goal he scored to give our Ducks momentum was something I cherish....perhaps you all share the sentiment too. One thing that makes me think of him is his Family....Bethann Salei and her 3 childern including the youngest who I really Hope will know how lucky she is to have father who was not only a one of best Ducks D-men but a great guy to be with. We should choose to remeber Ruslan for not only his Days with the Ducks but with teams he played on...be it Detroit and Florida. But we should remeber him for a Father to Aleksandro,Alexis and Ava. Husband to Bethann. For Memories and choosing to Honor Ruslan is important duty to all DUCKSFANS to cherish his memory and honor him dearly.....*Raise Glass* Here's to YOU RUSTY!
DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck
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