Anaheim Ducks: The All-Time Top 5 Defencemen in Franchise History
By Greg Johnson
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.
More from Pucks of a Feather
- Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
- Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
- Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
- How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?
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.
What do you think? Let us know what you think on Twitter and Facebook.