Emerson Etem’s Short Return
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
For seasoned Ducks fans, they saw a new face last season. Last season marked the appearance of a new player to the Anaheim roster: Emerson Etem. Etem was born and raised in Long Beach, California. He was drafted 29th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2010 and has played for the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL), Syracuse Crunch (AHL) and Norfolk Admirals (AHL).
This young man quickly found his place on the team as a speed skater on the ice. From game to game we’d watch as this son of Southern California steadily grew on us. Then, on March 18, 2013 he scored his first NHL goal on Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks. We all rooted his continued success with this club.
This year, however, is a new season and a new roster for the Anaheim Ducks. Due to the depth and acquisition of new talent on this club we have said “Goodbye,” to our beloved son of So-Cal as he has gone back down to our affiliate in the AHL, the Norfolk Admirals.
As the saying goes, “things change” and the Ducks are in the last little bit of a push for the playoffs. Meanwhile, this young forward remained in Norfolk and he continues to define himself as a great talent for the Admirals. Fans of the Ducks wonder when he will return and if he returns, will he bring a jolt of speed to the club?
During his time with the Ducks last season and briefly this season, he and Andrew Cogliano brought a noticeable speed to the Ducks. This left fans wondering what would happen to the jolt in pace on the ice when Etem was sent down. Game after game, for Norfolk he continues to rack up points, goals, assists and hits.
Some would say, as we approach the sunset in the career of the great Teemu Selanne, that when this legend leaves the ice for the last time Etem should be here to replace him. He is young, fast and full of talent, much like the Finnish Flash. Additionally we would have him for years to come as he is only twenty-one years old.
Anaheim head coach Bruce Boudreau tends to juggle his lines. Due to top liner Dustin Penner’s trade, he is left to constantly refreshing the top line with a third man causing the line to, as of late, have lackluster performances in terms of goal scoring. Etem could be the boost this line has been needing.
As Emerson Etem has been recalled to help face the Sharks, he still hasn’t been placed on the top line. After the game he was sent back down to Norfolk. Only time will tell when he is here to stay. Perhaps during playoffs he will make a return or next year he will return on a more permanent basis.
Follow Pucks of a Feather on Twitter.
“Like” Pucks of a Feather on Facebook.