In just 36 short days the Anaheim Ducks will kick off their 25th Anniversary season. With that celebration in mind, we are continuing the celebration here at Pucks of a Feather.
We are rolling out our All-Decade teams which include players from the Anaheim Ducks over the past the three decades. Yesterday we brought you the 1990’s All-Decade team and today is part two, the 2000’s.
Reaching the finals twice and winning once in this decade, it was easily the most successful one for the Ducks. Not to mention, the Ducks had some Hall of Famers suit up for them this decade as well. So here are our picks for the Anaheim Ducks 2000’s All-Decade team.
**Honorable Mention- Paul Kariya**
It takes a special player to be this vital in multiple eras for a given team. Paul Kariya was that player. Unfortunately, the way things ended between the Mighty Ducks and Kariya irked a lot of Ducks fans. As vital as he was in getting the “Cinderella” Mighty Ducks to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, he left unceremoniously.
With the Ducks going on to win the Cup in 2007 there are some players who were more important. The adage is true, however, that time heals all wounds. Kariya and Ducks Nation are finally one again.
It would be flat out wrong to do a 2000’s all-decade team about the Mighty Ducks/Anaheim Ducks and not include this historic moment.