Friday, September 29, 2017

Paul Kariya:My Thoughs on "Surfacing

Many of you have either watched the Doc by TSN on Ducks Original Paul Kariya and hearing him speak after 6 years of silence has many of us within Ducks Nation Talking...TSN mini-Doc titled "Surfacing"Gave us a look on how Ol No9 was doing after he left the Sport in 2011. Like many of you since Ducks Founding in 1993 we followed Paul Kariya's career since his name was called at 1993 NHL Draft till his leading the Ducks to their first ever Stanley Cup Final 10 year later. Kariya left us with many moments from becoming first Duck to score 50 Goals and win 2 Lady Byng awards to winning Olympic Gold at Salt Lake 2002 and World Hockey Championship in 1994. Watching that Documentary of Paul and seeing him open about his life and Career and his views on the need for NHL to deal with Concussions. What sends chills down my spine abit is Kariya not remembering being hit by Scott Stevens,Returning to the game and scoring the Goal or Game 6 or 7 and as he says "2 Days" Later. In my view he should be Remember more then just Game 6 "Off the Floor,On the Board" Moment after watching "Surfacing" it's clear to be me now that He has moved on.... that night in Game 6 was example of Kariya sacrifice his health He is a Ducks Great he paved the way for our Ducks to be where they are at along with Ducks Legend Teemu Selanne. Both him and Teemu put it on the line each night and Day to promote the Sport,contribute to the Ducks Cause and build our team what it is today. No matter what you Feel bout Kariya Now whether it be his uncomfortable being a public Face as he was for 9 years with Ducks till his surprise appearance at the Ducks "Paint it Orange" Campaign.

I say this with Open Heart Let us remember what he did for the Ducks besides the "Off the Floor,On Board" Moment where he showed that Fighting Spirit that embody our Ducks...Let us remember his speed,Skills and playmaking Abilities that he and Selanne created over the years from 1996-2001. Is he approachable? somewhat but he is HUMAN like all of us who played the sport of Hockey and the team we love with our Hearts and souls. Ducks Fans and Hockey Fans should understand clearly that we need to advocate and demand the NHL do MORE for the Players....They are like workers and like Workers they are vital to a Job and to a company...For the Ducks and all Sports teams Players is important to sporting events and their Health must be Number 1 Priority. Right Now all I can say this......watching Surfacing gave me a whole understanding of Paul Kariya he is private Person we must understand that for now Let's Hope he makes a appearance again for the Ducks.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Symbolic Importance of Ducks Hockey Autograph

As many of you know or have done over the years As I have during the 8 years I made a Pilgrimage to see Anaheim Ducks 2007-2015 is get the autographs of several players be it Getzlaf,Perry or Fowler to Ducks Legend Teemu Selanne,Giguere Original Ducks Like Yake,Grimson,Hebert and few others. Now to me personally and I like to share my view of the importance the symbolic need of getting a Players be it Ducks,NHLer or other athletes is more then just "Selling" it for Cash. Getting their Autograph,Pic and chat with them is symbolic gesture of us in a non-verbal way of thanking them for their effort. Having that name that signature on your Ducks Uni,Hat,T-shirt,Book and Hockey Card tells us of that player who will contribute no matter how big or small to the Ducks Cause. Need for it is and always been knowing well you met that Player talk to him and saw him win the Stanley Cup with your team or broke a NHL Record.

Having that Autograph means alot to all Ducks Fans....be it young or old or someone new to the sport of Hockey or Anaheim Ducks Themselves having that name that Signature is something you remember forever. For example 10 years ago when I flew to see Anaheim Ducks for the first time I got autographs of Selanne,Giguere,Niedermayer Bros,Marchant,Andy Macdonald,Sami Pahlsson,Bryzgalov,Brad May,Joe Dipenta,Randy Carlyle,Chris Pronger and others. those Names are forever etch in my Ducks Uni and it's symbolism represents Immortality in Hockey and Sports in general...For many of us who follow the Ducks take a moment and look at the names...Read them and you will remember their faces,skills,Goals,Saves and the good and the bad...........Why I ask it's simple we witness their efforts over 25 years. I did in Halifax,listening on Internet Radio and watching them on TV. Being there and getting the Autos and see how other Ducks Fans got them I know their influence has left many Ducks Fans with Motivation and inspiration to improve their lives.

Cause when we see those Names....they are MORE then just autographs as I Say before it's Our way...DUCKS Fan way of saying "Thank You".

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Friday, September 15, 2017

Gathering of the Ducks 2017

So it Begins....well sort Today marks a important Day as the Ducks Training Camp for this Season begins. Like prior 23 Training Camps before Ducks Fans worldwide and all over including yours truly,Optimistic,Hopeful,Eager and excited for Puck to Drop. Looking at Training Camp Roster comprise of Ducks Regulars,Prospects,Returnees and New Players give us a sense our Ducks the ones who fell short in NHL Western Final is hungry and Dedicated to finish what was started. To build on 16-17 Playoff Run it will be Collective Effort of the team to push forward and Win it all. I never lie to any of you who read this and know my Passion for the Ducks and People of Orange County. We must support the core group who will be leading the Ducks again to reach the Goal that we desire in achieving once more. Injuries to Kesler requires Ducks to come together and be united in achieving a dominating Foothold in not just NHL's Pacific Division but the Western Conference as a whole.

Adversity as I always have said and we see since Day1 of the Ducks has always been battles to overcome absence of important players. Be it Kesboss out of action till Christmas to Lindholm and Vatman out till Nov1. the Honor and Duty of filling that void falls into the Ducks depth signees imho. Guys like Grant,Rasmussen,Olesky and few others. Ducks sign them for they entrust them to hold the line till 3 of our Key players return from IR. having those 3 not ready till later in the season makes us easy targets by our rivals and enemies to knock us down a peg. That alone as Ducks Fans we must be Very aware......But also have faith in the Depth players who have joined our Ranks. To do the job but also have others be it Rakell,Wags and Shaw to do what is needed during first 2 months of Ducks 17-18 Campagin.

Goaltending depth is good and strengthen with Addition of Ryan Miller who wished to come to SoCal due to his Wife's work and close to the Family also having a Goaltender Reto Berra gives the Ducks 3 Goaltenders who can step in anytime to get the Job Done. Miller's Experience will be beneficial for Gibson who will become a solid Goaltender and number1 Ducks Goalie with Olympian backing him. Add in Guys like Montour,Kase and Max Jones and Sam Steel.....Postive Thinking and looking forward for the Ducks to be UNLEASHED their Fury on the NHL will be something to see. Whether they hit the ground running or start slow one thing is certain. Anaheim Ducks will be READY Come Oct5th.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Friday, September 8, 2017

Ducks against the World:New Slogan or just a T-Shirt

By now you have seen the Picture of Ducks Captain Ryan Getzlaf sporting a New T-Shirt with Words titled "Ducks against the World". Most are intrigue by it others want the shirt. For me Personally I think most feel that we have a New Slogan for this season. It may not be confirm or made Official but one thing is certain...That shirt speaks well how all Ducks Fans feel when our team and all of us as a whole feel when Adversity is against you. It stands out and it should ring true to our very Soul in how we deal with adversity in our lives and how our Anaheim Ducks face Adversity be it on the Ice or off it. If this is a New Slogan then it's Fitting for our team who has the Hunger,Drive and Dedication to Push forward and reclaim what is rightfully theirs.

When we slowly approach Ducks 25th season in NHL....Slogan may become official or adopted by us DucksFans one thing is certain is that "Ducks Against the World" shall be our Rallying Cry for the need to get the Job done and Win another Stanley Cup. I hope this is our New Slogan and Ducks as well. For motivating words can rally Ducks and Ducks Fans to strengthen the Ducks Cause.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Sunday, September 3, 2017

T-minus 32 till Ducks Hockey!:My Thoughs

It's that time of you again...the Waiting for Hockey to begin or as many have said "is it October yet". As Anaheim Ducks and all Ducks Fans begin the countdown towards 25th year and upcoming 17-18 season. Looking at the Roster and the Players Ducks have sign from Ryan Miller,Reto Berra,Derek Grant to Return of Francis Beauchemin and Dennis Rammussen. I am Looking forward to what this team will do once Puck Drops and our Ducks will be UNLEASHED upon 30 NHL Teams including our Enemies LA,Nashville,San Jose,Detroit and etc. But also welcoming VGK for a NHL Beatdown at the Ponda. Counting down till Season Opener/Home Opener We know the feeling of eagerness,excitement and anticipation towards how this team will do.....We know one thing is that Unfinished Business will be motivation for this team going forward.there is a sense of Hunger,Desire,Motivation and Purpose this year now. After losing to the Mustard Cats(Nashville) in last seasons Western Conference Final it felt not like defeat but a something left undone. Many of you feel this way as I know from reading the Ducks Message Board and comments left on Facebook,Twitter,Instagram...etc.

Let's not be surprise Ducks Signings and changes were minimal at best. Core group is still there from Getzlaf,Perry and Kesler to Fowler,Lindholm,Vatanen and John Gibson. Adding many new Players in bottom six is nothing new since Keeping the Ducks Core Group and changing little is Ducks M.O and has been for past 24 years. As we count the days till Oct5th the excitement grows and the Passion is lit once more for the Ducks will be ready to finish what was left undone. As we know 32 to 30 Days is the REAL COUNTDOWN to Anaheim Ducks be UNLEASHED upon the NHL.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck