Anaheim Ducks Tales: Teemu Selanne’s Triumphant Return to the Pond

In 2001, the Anaheim Ducks made one of the worst decisions in franchise history, trading Teemu Selanne to the San Jose Sharks. In 2005, they righted that wrong and brought Temmu back home to the Pond. 

During the 1995-96 season, the Anaheim Ducks (then the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) made a trade that would rock their team, in the best way possible, by acquiring the talented Teemu Selanne from the Winnipeg  Jets.

Young Paul Kariya was an up and coming star, already sending shockwaves through the NHL on his way to what would be a 108 point season. Together, the two of them, alongside Steve Rucchin, would create one of the most lethal lines in Anaheim Ducks history.

The friendship between Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya would become almost as legendary as their on-ice chemistry.

However, rumors began to fly, about a year before it actually happened, that the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim were looking at potentially trading their star player. Then, on March 5, 2001, the franchise pulled the trigger and traded 30-year-old Selanne to the San Jose Sharks for Jeff Friesen, Steve Sheilds, and a second-round 2003 draft pick that was later traded to the Dallas Stars.

Neither Jeff Friesen or Steve Shields went on to play more than two seasons for the Mighty Ducks. Teemu Selanne also struggled with his new team. The Finnish Flash, who was used to having 80+ point seasons with the Mighty Ducks, could barely post 60 points with the San Jose Sharks.

This eventually led him to Colorado, where he would be given the opportunity to play alongside longtime friend and old linemate, Paul Kariya. The Avalanche had almost the perfect recipe for a Stanley Cup winning team. However, they fell short in the Conference Semi-Finals, losing to the San Jose Sharks in Game 6.

Resigning the Finnish Flash

Teemu Selanne spent all of 2004-05 to recover from knee surgery. This was the same years as the 2004-05 lockout, so he didn’t really miss out on much. However, his knee had significantly affected his performance in his previous season with the Colorado Avalanche, leading to one of the worst seasons of his career.

The Anaheim Ducks struggled significantly during the same season he was in Colorado, especially now that both Selanne and Kariya were gone. It was a low blow to the franchise who had almost won the Stanley Cup a season prior.

Something needed to happen. So, when Teemu Selanne became a free agent in 2005, the Anaheim Ducks didn’t hesitate to resign everyone’s favorite Finnish right wing for an underwhelming $1M one-year contract.

Mighty Ducks General Manager Brian Burke stated that he wasn’t interested in bringing Teemu back because of his past history in Anaheim.

“I’m not interested in adding names, I’m interested in adding hockey players I sighed Teemu because I think he makes us a better hockey team. We’re anticipating he’ll play on our top six. Certianly, I’m counting on him for top-six ice time and power play.” -Brian Burke, General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks (2005-08)

Regardless of his reasons, Ducks Nation was just ecstatic that the Finnish Flash had been brough back home. The countdown had begun, 49 days until the Mighty Ducks home opener against the Edmonton Oilers.

Teemu Selanne Returns to the Pond

For the first time in over four seasons, Teemu Selanne was stepping onto the ice at Arrowhead Pond dressed a Mighty Ducks sweater. He was no longer an opponent. When he stepped onto the ice, Ducks Nation no longer felt the familiar disappointment that came with his departure. He was finally home.

Prior to the start of the season, many had lingering questions about his knee. Regardless of the questions, on October 10, 2005, Teemu Selanne made his second debut as an Anaheim Duck on home ice against the Edmonton Oilers.

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It didn’t take him long to work his way back into the hearts of Ducks Nation and put all the questions about his knee to rest. At 6:36 of the opening period, he beat Jussi Markkanen and scored the first goal of the game. Corey Perry would shortly score his first NHL goal just a few minutes later, marking the rise of another Anaheim Ducks legend, but that’s a story for a different time.

Although they would go on to lose the game 4-2, his first goal back on home ice foretold what was to come for the franchise. He would go on to score 40 goals in 80 games, leading the team in both goals and points for the entire 2005-06 season.

The next season, he would lead the Anaheim Ducks to their very first Stanley Cup in franchise history, making them the first team in California to bring home the Cup. Over the next nine seasons, Teemu Selanne would continue to take the NHL world and the Anaheim Ducks by storm.

Selanne may not have been with the Mighty Ducks from the start of his NHL career, but Anaheim quickly became his home. When he was traded, a big hole was left in the franchise. Although bringing him to Anaheim in the first place was a great decision on the Ducks part, his second stint in Anaheim is what helped him secure his spot as the greatest player in Anaheim Ducks history.

He later became the first player in franchise history to have his jersey retired. An honor that was bestowed on one of the most deserving players in franchise history. His impact on the Anaheim Ducks will be felt for generations to come, as number 8 hangs in the rafters as a reminder to the legend that once skated upon the ice at Honda Center.