Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks 25th Anniversary: Best players to wear numbers 24-21

By Chris Bushell

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 6: Francois Beauchemin #23 of the Anaheim Ducks salutes the crowd after his final career regular season home game, a 5-3 defeat of the Dallas Stars, in the game at Honda Center on April 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 6: Francois Beauchemin #23 of the Anaheim Ducks salutes the crowd after his final career regular season home game, a 5-3 defeat of the Dallas Stars, in the game at Honda Center on April 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks
2003 Season: Ruslan Salei of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /

It’s hard to believe that the Anaheim Ducks have been in business for 25 years. Since their inception in 1993, the team had its struggles, but Anaheim has also been to the top of the summit. Pucks of a Feather celebrates the Silver Anniversary along with Ducks Nation.

The Anaheim Ducks celebrate a milestone this season, their 25th anniversary season. The past 24 seasons have brought us 1 Stanley Cup Championship, 2 Western Conference Titles and countless great players and moments. I have grown up with this team, (literally, I am 26) and before we drop the puck on the 25th season, Pucks of a Feather looks back at some memorable Ducks. Today I have the honor of bringing the best Ducks to wear #24, 23, 22, and 21. You’ll see a common trend of big-time playoff performers in this segment.

#24 Ruslan Salei

At number 24 is one of the best defensemen to ever grace the Ducks blue-line. Ruslan Salei was drafted 9th overall by the Ducks in 1996 and imposed his will from the second he stepped on the ice in Anaheim.

Salei played 9 full seasons with the team and compiled 105 points in that almost 600 game span. He was a key member of the Ducks run to Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals and scored perhaps the biggest goal of his career in overtime of Game 3 against Martin Brodeur.

Salei would go on to a few more NHL stops including Florida, Colorado, and Detroit. To start the 2011 season Salei signed with Lokomotiv of the KHL. Tragically that September Salei, along with the rest of his teammates were in a plane crash that claimed the lives of everyone on board.

Salei’s family still lives in Orange County and they are involved with the Ducks in numerous capacities. He was a good player and well liked by the community at large. Currently, Salei ranks 10th in points among all defenseman in Ducks history which is a testament to a great player he was and the impact he had.  Ruslan Salei is always in our hearts as true Duck fans.

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