Anaheim Ducks 25th Anniversary: Best players to wear numbers 29-25
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.
It is mind-boggling that the Anaheim Ducks are celebrating their silver anniversary. For some fans, it may seem like it was only yesterday when the Ducks took the ice at the Pond for the first time.
Others may not have followed the Ducks as long. No matter how far you go back as a Ducks fan, we can all reminisce about the past. Today we will continue our stroll down memory lane by honoring the best Ducks to wear jersey’s 29-25
29 – Ray Emery (2011) and Martin Gerber (2002-2004)
Our list starts with a goalie tandem that would become an actual tandem later in their careers but both had similarly short stints in Anaheim. To start, It’s only fitting given the tragic news of his passing this past Sunday morning, we begin with Ray Emery.
Emery’s stint in Anaheim was very brief at only ten games but was memorable in many ways. Not only were these the only ten games he played all year, but they were his first games since being sidelined with his avascular necrosis diagnosis in late 2009. Emery would go 7- 2-0 in his brief comeback with Anaheim, earning him a nomination for the Bill Masterton Trophy. Rest in peace, Razor.
Taken 232nd overall, Martin Gerber was drafted by Anaheim in 2001, but wouldn’t suit up for the Ducks until 2002. Gerber would spend the majority of his time backing up J.S Giguere. Gerber posted two losing seasons in his short time in Anaheim but set a Ducks record of having 10 consecutive starts allowing two goals or fewer.
Despite his two losing seasons in Anaheim, Gerber finished with a goals-against average (GAA) of 1.94 in his rookie season and a GAA of 2.26 in his final season before his trade to Carolina, where he’d win a Cup in 2006.
28 – Niclas Havelid (2000-2004)
Taken in 83rd overall by Anaheim in the 1999 Draft at age 28, Havelid would be a staple of the Mighty Ducks blueline of the early 2000’s. While somewhat unlucky with injuries at the beginning of his career,
Havelid really turned the corner in the 2002-03 season. In 82 games that season, the 29-year-old Swede would post 33 points (11G, 22A) to set his career high in points. This would also land him in 5th in points for Anaheim that year. The following season, his last in Anaheim, was also solid. He finished seven points short of his career best from the prior season and ranked second in ice time behind fellow defensemen, Ruslan Salei.
Niclas would be traded to Atlanta after the 2004 season, but wouldn’t suit up for them until the 2005-2006 season, following the NHL lockout. In five years with the Mighty Ducks, Havelid played in 310 games with a scoring total of 24G, 61A for 85 points.
27- Scott Niedermayer (2006-2010)
I think it’s kind of a no-brainer that Niedermayer is on this list. Scott came over to Anaheim in the summer of 2005, after the lockout, as a free agent, He joined his brother Rob as an Anaheim Ducks player.
Niedermayer was named team captain prior to the 2005-06season. In his tenure as Anaheim’s Captain, Niedermayer led Anaheim to its first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history and take home the Conn Smythe (playoff MVP) in the series.
Niedermayer fell short of 300 points in a Ducks sweater by 36 points when he retired in 2010. “Nieds” played 371 games in the O.C. and holds the record for most points by Anaheim Ducks defenseman. The record is hotly pursued by current Ducks member Cam Fowler but is still incredible considering there are almost 200 games played separating the two (Fowler has played in 561 games).
Scott also still holds the franchise records for; most assists by a defenseman at 204, Most points by a defenseman in a single season at 69 points in 2006-07. Finally, has the most assists in a single season with 54 the same year.
Niedermayer’s contributions both on the ice as a player and off the ice as part of the organization has been a blessing to this franchise. He is rightfully being honored with the retirement of his number next February. It’s a great thank you for being a world-class leader and bringing Lord Stanley home to its rightful place in the OC.
26 -Samuel “Sammy” Pahlsson (2001-2009)
A key piece of Anaheim’s famous checking line alongside Rob Niedermayer and Travis Moen, Sammy Pahlsson to this day still is an integral piece of Ducks history. While not a prolific scorer, Pahlsson would play on Anaheim’s checking line, a shutdown line that can be somewhat comparable to the Cogs-Kes-Silf line we run today.
During the Cup Final series against Ottawa, Pahlsson’s line would be tasked with having to shut down Ottawa’s top line of fellow Swede and former teammate, Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, and the all-star himself, Dany Heatly. Pahlsson scored two points in the Finals against Ottawa (1G, 1A), but had a total of 12 in 21 playoff games that magical year.
25- Chris Pronger (2007-2009)
Another no-brainer for this list. A somewhat controversial figure during his playing career, Pronger was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in the summer of 2006. The Ducks sent Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, and multiple draft picks back to Edmonton in exchange for Pronger. One of these picks would become Jordan Eberle.
Pronger spent three short years with Anaheim before his trade to Philadelphia in 2009. While his time was short, Pronger played 220 games with Anaheim, collecting 150 points (36G, 114A). With a Stanley Cup Championship to his name,
Pronger also became a member of the Triple Gold Club (Olympic Gold Medal, World Championship Gold Medal, and Stanley Cup champion), along with fellow teammate Niedermayer. Pronger now spends his time as a member of the Florida Panthers front office as their Senior Adviser of Hockey Operations.
While the years following the Cup haven’t been so nice to Anaheim, the Pronger trade of 2006 is still regarded as one of the greatest deals in franchise history. It was the final piece to puzzle that helped Anaheim claim supremacy.
Next: The Ducks should make a run at acquiring Max Pacioretty
Check out some of our past editions of best jersey numbers