Anaheim Ducks: The All-Time Top 5 Defencemen in Franchise History
Right now, the Anaheim Ducks are stacked on defense. But that wasn’t always the case. Let’s take a look at the top defensemen in Anaheim history.
1. Scott Niedermayer
I know, I know. These lists usually start from the bottom and work their way up. But where would the suspense be?
Is there any question who the number one defenseman of all time is in Anaheim? To be honest, I preferred number two on the list. But there’s no way I’m going to deny the man who’s number is going into the rafters at Honda Center this season.
Scott Niedermayer was a slick-skating defenseman who drove possession and offense for the Ducks. He captained the 2007 Ducks to the Stanley Cup championship. He remains with the team as a coach. He is often seen wandering the halls in San Diego in anonymity while watching the Ducks minor-league blue-liners play. He even housed the Ducks this current top defenseman, Cam Fowler, when he initially entered the league.
Anyone who still doubts the greatness of Anaheim’s former general manager Brian Burke needs to remember how Niedermayer ended up in Anaheim. Burke was the brand new executive vice president and general manager of the Ducks in 2005. Rob Niedermayer‘s contract had expired.
Burke signed Rob to a four-year contract. Why would he do that for a checking line winger? Well, Scott was also a free agent. In fact, his team had offered him more annual money and much more term on a contract. But Burke played the family card and landed the Hall-of-Famer. Scott Niedermayer’s place in Ducks history is now fixed.
2. Chris Pronger
Scott Niedermayer was a great addition to the Ducks. But his presence did not bring the team a championship. That only happened after Pronger was added to the team.
While other teams feared Niedermayer for his skating ability, they looked on in horror when Chris Pronger was on the ice. He played with a level of intimidation that changed the game every night. Just ask Dan Cleary if he thinks going toe-to-toe with Chris Pronger is a good idea.
Pronger wasn’t all toughness. His slap shot from the point on the power play was deadly. And his outlet passes from the defense of zone almost never missed the mark. Pronger was a huge personality who even captained the team in Scott Niedermayer’s absence. Personally, even though his tenure with the Ducks was limited, I believe his number should also hang from the rafters.
3. François Beauchemin
Every offensive defenseman needs a partner who can allow him to roam. For Scott Niedermayer, Francois Beauchemin was that conscience.
The Ducks loved Beauchemin so much that he had three stints with the team. Although he played at least one more season than he should have, Beauch was effective during all three tours with the Ducks. In fact, he never found the level of success with his other teams that he did in Anaheim.
If his last season in Anaheim has left you doubting how great Beauchemin was at one point, just remember the 2012–13 season. That year he finished fourth in Norris trophy voting. He could change the game with a hit, and he had a knack for scoring big goals late in his career. His number is unlikely to hang in the rafters at Honda Center, but his contribution to the team should never be forgotten.
4. Cam Fowler
With all due respect to Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler is the straw that stirs the Anaheim Ducks defense these days. Maybe you think the Ducks were just bad last season. Remember, Fowler was absent during the Ducks four-game game sweep at the hands of the San Jose Sharks last season.
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Fowler is an amazing skater with good offensive skills and amazing ability to escape pressure in the defense of zone. Paired with Brandon Montour, the puck is always moving forward when Cam is on the ice. Keep this in mind, Fowler is just entering his prime. It’s possible we haven’t seen his best play yet. The Ducks were wise to sign him long-term. Cam will be wearing a letter on his chest soon enough.
5. Sandis Ozolinsh
I know, you thought I was going with Hampus Lindholm, Oleg Tverdovsky, or Fredrik Olausson. But how can you deny the carefree nature of Ozolinsh?
Ozolinsh had a problem playing defense. He often got caught behind the goal line while playing defense. The real problem was, he got caught behind the opponent’s goal line. But the man had great speed, so he could recover, and no conscience whatsoever.
Ozolinsh’s play reminded you why you loved the game so much. He would skate up and down the ice without a care in the world, including his defensive responsibility. The man loved to play hockey so much, he wanted to use all 200 feet of the ice. He was a pleasure to watch.
One day, Hampus Lindholm may supplant Ozolinsh in the number five spot on this list. But for now, I’ll relish the memory of the other great number 8 skating up and down the ice with joy in every stride during that great 2003 Stanley Cup run.
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