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Anaheim Ducks 25th Anniversary: Best player to wear jersey numbers 35-44

By Ed Stein

ANAHEIM, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Jean-Sebastien Giguere #35 of the Anaheim Ducks watches the fight from net after getting his helmut knocked off during the game against the Chicago Blackhawks on November 27, 2009 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Jean-Sebastien Giguere #35 of the Anaheim Ducks watches the fight from net after getting his helmut knocked off during the game against the Chicago Blackhawks on November 27, 2009 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks
ANAHEIM, CA: Josh Manson #42 of the Anaheim Ducks waits for play to begin during the second period of the game against the Colorado Avalanche April 1, 2018. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /

42 – Josh Manson (2015-Present)

At first glance, it might be a bit premature to put the 26-year-old son of legendary enforcer Dave Manson on an all-time list. It seems like yesterday he was called up to fill in on the blueline. Josh Manson has been with the team longer than you think. In fact, Mason has played 261 games in an Anaheim Ducks sweater.

Heading into 2017-18, Manson had the reputation of a tough stay-at-home defenseman, that opponents were reluctant to drop gloves with. That changed last season. Opponents still don’t want to fight him, but his offensive game was kicked into a higher gear. He scored 37 points (7g, 30a) while dishing out 182 hits and blocking a career-high 99 shots.

It would surprise almost no Ducks fan if Manson had a letter on the top left of his jersey to go with the 42 on the back.

Honorable Mention: Danny Lambert. In 1995-96 on a team filled with tough guys such as Todd Ewen and Dave Karpa, Lambert began his trek to enforcer with 55 penalty minutes in 33 games. After the Ducks let him go in the summer of 1996, Lambert signed with Ottawa and became a 200+ PIM/per season player for the final six seasons of his career.

40 – Kent Huskins (2007-2009)

Kent Huskins was drafted in the sixth round (156th) overall, out of Clarkson University by Chicago. It took him almost 10 years to finally make his NHL debut with the Anaheim Ducks in 2006. He picked a good time to break in because a few months later, Huskins hoisted the cup.

It’s common that bigger defensemen take longer to develop. At 6’4”, 210 lbs., Huskins was an imposing figure on the ice. He played his first NHL game on December 23, 2006, replacing injured Sean O’Donnell. After his cup of coffee in Anaheim, he went back to the AHL. That stint didn’t last long as he came up for good a month later.

Huskins quickly became a fixture in the Ducks defense playing 33 regular season and 21 playoff games as a member of the 2007 Stanley Cup Champions. He stayed with Anaheim until the 2009 trade deadline when he was dealt, along with Travis Moen, to San Jose for Nick Bonino and a fourth-round draft pick.

Honorable Mention Jared Boll. Without him, there would be no “Rally Boll.”

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