Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
In the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Stefan Noesen was shocked to have been picked 21st overall by the Ottawa Senators, much to the dismay of the Anaheim Ducks, who were unfortunately surprised to have the Sens pick the right winger just one pick shy of the one that the Ducks had. (Then, the Ducks would end up trading their 22nd pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Maple Leafs’ 30th and 39th selections, which nabbed them Rickard Rakell and John Gibson.)
Fast forward to July of 2013, when Noesen finds himself back with the team in a trade package that sent him and Swedish-born winger Jakob Silfverberg to the Ducks for Bobby Ryan.
So here Noesen is, back with the Ducks, a team that he “had a very strong feeling was going to” play for.
No journey to the big stage comes easy, and the the Plano, Texas native, in just his second game with the Norfolk Admirals, Noesen tore ligaments in his knee, requiring ACL and MCL surgery to fully recover.
Typically an ACL/MCL surgery requires six to nine months of recovery; however, Noesen willed himself to recovery, returning for Game 3 of the Calder Cup Playoffs for the Admirals in the second round.
Noesen said it was always a goal of his to return that same year for the Admirals.
"“It was a goal, but I wasn’t sure if it was a possibility.”"
Having exceeded his expectations for his goal, Noesen has another goal in mind for himself after his second training camp with the Ducks: make the opening night roster.
With the 21 year-old’s determination and will to succeed, it can surely become a possibility for the 6’1″, 200-pound winger.
"“I’m going to stick to what I’m good at, and I know what I can bring to the team. If they like it, they’ll keep me around for a little bit longer. If they want me to go down and play some games in the minors, I will. I’m just putting everything I can out there on the line.”"