Top 5 Anaheim Ducks Draft Picks
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Michael McCarron poses for a photo with team officials after being introduced as the number twenty-five overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 NHL draft is here and there are plenty of rumors swirling around it. Who’s going to be chosen as the No. 1 pick? What big trades will we see on the draft floor?
The Anaheim Ducks seem to be more involved in rumors concerning the latter, but let’s not forget about their two first round picks. The Ducks have chosen well in previous drafts and there are plenty of potentially great players to choose from.
Let’s take a look back and see the top five players the Ducks have picked up in the draft.
May 9, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (30) makes a save during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game four of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
2000 NHL Draft, Round 2, 44 Overall
Bryzgalov helped the Anaheim Ducks hoist the cup in 2007 and would move on to carry playoff bound teams like the Phoenix Coyotes and the Philadelphia Flyers. This past season he played for the Minnesota Wild in their playoff bid.
Bryzgalov is not only a solid goaltender, but also one of the biggest personalities in the game. That personality was on full display during the HBO series 24/7 in which we saw behind the scenes of him and his teammates while he was in Philadelphia.
His career is turning away from the starting goaltender to the backup goaltender these days, but he’s still a reliable goaltender and a good investment if any team decides to pick him out of free agency in the offseason.
Career Stats:
[table id=43 /]
1994 NHL Draft, Round 1, 2 Overall
Tverdovsky was drafted by the Mighty Ducks then traded to Winnipeg for Teemu Selanne. He came back a few years later and played for the Mighty Ducks for another few years.
Tverdovsky was a strong, physical defenseman who could also handle the puck well, when needed.
In his career he hoisted the Stanley Cup twice. Once with the New Jersey Devils in 2003 and once with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.
Career Stats:
[table id=44/]
Nov 6, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing
Corey Perry(10) reacts during the game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Honda Center. The Ducks defeated the Coyotes 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
3) Corey Perry
2003 NHL Draft, Round 1, 28 Overall
Perry was brought up through the Ducks system with Ryan Getzlaf. The two of them along with Dustin Penner formed a high scoring rookie line during the year the Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007.
In 2010 Perry scored fifty goals in one season which earned him both the Rocket Richard Trophy and the Hart Trophy for league MVP. Perry continues to be among the top scoring players of the league each year.
He still resides on the Ducks top line with Ryan Getzlaf and the two of them only get better as time goes on.
Career Stats:
[table id=45/]
2) Paul Kariya
1993 NHL Draft, Round 1, 4 Overall
At the beginning this Anaheim team didn’t have much going for them. Their defining feature was that they were owned by Disney which didn’t do them any favors as far as respectability goes. What the Ducks needed was elite talent to show the league that they were a serious contender and they got that in Paul Kariya.
In their first draft year, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim chose center Paul Kariya. Kariya became the face of the organization along with Teemu Selanne and the two of them formed a formidable top line. They would lead the team to their first playoff appearance in 1997.
Kariya led the Mighty Ducks to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance ever in 2003. The team ended up losing to the New Jersey Devils.
After that season Kariya continued to play for other teams until a concussion forced him to retire early.
Career Stats:
[table id=46/]
March 23, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) controls the puck against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
1) Ryan Getzlaf
2003 NHL Draft, Round 1, 19 Overall
Getzlaf is, arguably, the best player this Ducks franchise has seen. He is a world-class, big-bodied center that leads this team both on and off the ice.
He has consistently led the team in points and, this year, came in second in points among all players in the league. He was also runner up for the Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay, and Messier Leadership awards.
He won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and has led the team to the playoffs in three of the four years he’s been captain.
His skills and his leadership only get better with age and each year he spends as a Duck only serves to solidify the footprint he’s left on this organization and it’s fans.
Career Stats:
[table id=47/]
Honorable Mentions: Bobby Ryan, Ruslan Salei, Cam Fowler, Joffrey Lupal, Jordan Leopold, Matt Cullen, Steve Ruccin