Anaheim Ducks: Four of the Best Late Round Draft Picks
It’s not often that players selected after the third round of the draft make it big in the NHL, but the Anaheim Ducks do have a few success stories worth mentioning.
Since its inception in 1963, the NHL Entry Draft (or the NHL Amature Draft as it was called back then) has been responsible for producing hundreds of NHL stars who have shone brightly in the NHL’s spotlight. Players like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Connor McDavid, Alexander Ovechkin, and many more, have set an incredibly high standard. Even the Anaheim Ducks, in their short 25-year history, have even drafted a few NHL stars; starting with Paul Kariya, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and more recently, John Gibson, Rickard Rakell, and Hampus Lindholm.
It is extremely common that an NHL team is comprised of players taken in the first three rounds of the NHL draft. While it is not uncommon for players drafted later to make a name for themselves in the NHL, most late-round draft selections don’t find success at the NHL level or do not make it at all.
There are exceptions to this rule, however, such as Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, Henrik Zetterberg, and Theoren Fleury. Each one of these players was drafted in the sixth round or later, but still forged their own path to the NHL and succeeded at doing so.
Late Round Draft Picks— Honorable Mentions
Martin Gerber (2001 8th round pick, 232nd overall): The Burgdorf, Switzerland native was drafted by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2001 at the age of 27. For two seasons, he played second fiddle to J.S. Giguere, including during their 2003 cup run. During his first season, he played only 22 games but posted a save percentage of .929% with a win-loss record of 6-11-3. During his second season, he saw more ice time, playing 32 games, posting a save percentage of .918% with a win-loss record of 11-12-4.
While he was not of the same caliber as Ryan Miller, the 8th round goaltender turned out to be a decent backup during his two-season tenure in Anaheim. He was eventually traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Tomas Malec and a 3rd round draft pick. The younger and tenacious Ilya Bryzgalov replaced him as the backup to Giguere.
Kevin Roy (2013 4th round pick, 97th overall): Kevin Roy is an interesting case, seeing as how he hasn’t yet made his big break into the NHL yet. He played a 25 game stint with the Anaheim Ducks during the 2017-18 season when the team was strugglings with significant injuries, but due to his own injury, has played only 3 games since then.
His game has translated well at all levels. He was the spark that relit the fire at Northeastern University, scoring, on average, a point per game. When he made the move to the AHL, although he was no longer scoring, on average, a point per game, he has still been a 40+ point producer, if allowed to play a full season.
His injury, as well as a clogged roster, has definitely hindered Roy’s chances in the NHL. Nevertheless, his speed, skills, and ability to be a consistent point producer could definitely make a huge impact at the NHL level. Not to mention, he possesses the skills that could help revive the Ducks rather bland special teams.
With all of the up and coming talent, however, there is a question as to whether or not there will be room for Roy on the Anaheim Ducks roster over the next few seasons. Regardless, he will be a great asset to whichever team gives him the change to make his big break into the NHL.
Sami Vatanen— Anaheim Ducks 2009 4th Round Pick, 106th Overall
Jyväskylä, Finland native, Sami Vatanen, was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. His stock was expected to rise following his phenomenal performance captaining team Finland in the WJC-U18’s; the young defenseman stood out as one of the best blueliners at the tournament despite the early exit.
Nevertheless, come draft day, Vatanen was still on the board at 106th overall. Standing at only 5’10” it can only be assumed in a league where size and physicality were coveted in a defenseman, the young Finn was overlooked because of his stature. However, despite his size, the offensively minded defenseman was still incredibly talented, and it is a reasonable assumption, with his performance in the NHL to date, that he is one of the 30 best players to come out of the 2009 NHL Draft.
Following his draft year, Vatanen continued his development in Finland, posting three consecutive 30+ point seasons. However, it wasn’t until his first season with the Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, that fans really began to notice the offensively minded defenseman and what a fourth-round draft pick such as himself could offer the franchise.
His first season with the Admirals, 2012-12, the 21-year-old Finn posted an impressive 45 points in 62 games. During 8 games with the Anaheim Ducks, he also scored two goals. The next season, he made the jump up to the big club, spending 48 games dressed as a Duck, and from there on out, he would be a staple to the Anaheim Ducks lineup until he would eventually be traded to the New Jersey Devils for Adam Henrique and Joseph Blandisi.
During the five years he spent with the Anaheim Ducks organization, he grew into an offensive mastermind. While he was on the smaller side, his skating has always been a phenomenal asset and he has incredible instincts on the ice. The defenseman was never afraid to create scoring chances and despite his struggles to get physical at times, he was always aggressive with the puck and during plays.
The 126 points credited to his name during the 280 games he played with Anaheim (33g, 93a) are further proof of his offensive genius as a young defenseman. He became a staple of the Ducks power play unit as he began to grow and evolve in his confidence and was even utilized on the penalty kill. With Vatanen on the ice, the Ducks had more scoring opportunities and had the aptitude to generate more shots.
It was a tough loss when the Ducks traded him, but one that was necessary for the team. He had a tremendous impact with the club during his five seasons in Anaheim, and it is a reasonable argument to say that he is one of the best fourth-round picks the team made in their 25-year history.
Troy Terry— Anaheim Ducks 2015 5th Round Pick, 148th Overall
When you’re drafted in the same year as players like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Mitch Marner, it is no wonder a player like Troy Terry was still available in the fifth round of the NHL Entry Draft. Playing for the U.S. National U18 Team in his draft year, his talent was overshadowed by the likes of Austin Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk.
He ended his draft season 7th in points on his team, with 44 (19g, 25a.) However, it was clear that Troy Terry had a lot of room left to grow if he wanted to make it in the NHL, and as a player bound for the NCAA, the college experience would likely offer him the room he needed to grow.
While it was clear that he could already score from all areas of the offensive zone, he struggled and needed to improve while playing in his own end. He also needed to add some bulk to his lanky frame if he wanted to make it in the NHL.
The 2015-16 season was a rough one for Terry, as his production tapered off quite a bit during his first season with the Universit of Denver. Nevertheless, the next two seasons would see a resurgence from Terry as he posted two consecutive 40+ point seasons in 35 and 39 games respectively, making him over a point per game player.
2018 was a big year for the young right wing, as he signed his ELC with the Anaheim Ducks. Unfortunately, that meant he would have to forego his senior year with Devener, but it looked like good news for the big club. He also made his first appearance in the Olympic Games with team USA, and while they lost in the Quarterfinals game, it served to improve his confidence.
After Denver University was knocked out of the playoffs, Terry made his transition to the Anaheim Ducks. While he only played 3 games with the team (thank you, Randy Carlyle) the young forward showed signs that he could be a threat in the coming seasons alongside the Ducks veterans.
Coming into the 2018-19 season, Troy Terry struggled to find his footing with the parent club and was therefore sent down for some much-needed development in the AHL. Under the leadership of San Diego Gulls coach, Dallas Eakins, he found his confidence once again and finished off his season with the Gulls as a point per game player (41 points in 41 games.)
His newfound confidence in the AHL prompted a call up from the Anaheim Ducks, giving him another chance to prove that he was ready to take on the responsibility of NHL minutes. With the exit of Carlyle, he now had the opportunity to play in an environment that was conducive to his development.
The Ducks power play showed sparks of life with Terry on the PP unit and serves as a beacon of hope that the special teams this coming season have a chance at thriving with players like Terry and Max Jones likely earning full-time spots on the roster. When he feels confident, he is constantly creating more opportunities for the Ducks and taking the opposing teams by surprise.
His performance so far has, at times, made us forget that Terry was drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. However, it is just further proof of Bob Murray and his team’s ability to draft well. With a player like Terry about to make a jump into the line up full time, the future in Anaheim looks extremely bright.
Josh Manson— Anaheim Ducks 2011 6th Round Pick, 160th Overall
Over the past four seasons, Josh Manson has become a staple of the Anaheim Ducks blueline. However, when he was drafted during the 6th round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, not many analysts thought he would ever have a role as a defenseman in the Top 4.
Son of former NHL defenseman, Dave Manson, hockey has been in Josh Manson’s blood since the day he was born. However, he is an interesting case. To start his hockey career, Manson actually played as a forward until juniors when, at the request of his coach, he switched to defense. The wisdom of his coach ultimately paved Manson’s path to the NHL and the Anaheim Ducks.
In his draft year, Manson has a spectacular season, producing 47 points in 57 games with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL. Serving as one of the teams alternate captains, young Manson was growing in his leadership abilities, which would later serve him well in the NHL. However, it was glaringly obvious that he struggled offensively. In hindsight, his skills as a strictly defensively-minded defenseman would serve to benefit the Anaheim Ducks down the road.
Manson opted to take the college road and committed to playing in the NCAA for Northeastern University. This allowed him to progress as both a defenseman and a leader. During his final season with this Huskies, he had the distinct honor of wearing the captain “C” on his sweater and leading his team to a 19-14-4 record as well as being named the best defenseman.
In 2014, Manson signed a 2-year ELC with the Anaheim Ducks and headed to the AHL to play with the Anaheim Ducks affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. 2014-15 is when he finally got his chance to prove himself. When veteran defenseman Francois Beauchemin, Ben Lovejoy, and Mark Fistric all out due to injury, there was a spot on the blueline open alongside Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Sami Vatanen.
Manson’s addition to the lineup also addressed another issue the Anaheim Ducks had been struggling with. Their blueline had been a weakness for them during the 2014-15 season, and the addition of a physical defensively-minded defenseman seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.
Since making his first appearance with the Ducks, Manson has been a consistent member of the blueline, snagging himself a spot in the Top 4. He has built incredible chemistry with Hampus Lindholm and although they have struggled this past season, with a new coach in their future, it would be no surprise if their incredible chemistry continues into the 2019-20 season.
He is never going to be the kind of player who consistently scores goals or is flashy with the puck, but he makes things difficult for their opposing team. He has improved defensively over the years and, especially with a new system being implemented this season, has shown that he can add the element of speed.
Manson has also proven that he can be a valuable asset to the leadership of the Anaheim Ducks. In the absence of Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler this past season, he spent a good chunk of the season in the rotation of alternate captains. With Kesler on LTIR and trade rumors surrounding Perry and his fate with the Ducks, it would be no surprise if we see Manson step into a permanent leadership role in the near future.
Ondrej Kase— Anaheim Ducks 2014 7th Round Pick, 205th Overall
Choosing a player in the 7th round of the NHL Entry Draft is often a gamble. It is rare that a player sign with the team that drafted them, let alone make it to the NHL. Looking at the 2014 Draft in hindsight, only 22% of players drafted after the first round have made it to the NHL. Only a dismal 4% of these players have played over 100 games to this point.
Ondrej Kase, however, was a gamble that has worked out in the Anaheim Ducks favor. In his draft year, Kase was considered to be the best prospect to come out of the Czech Republic. However, he had a few things working against him. First of all, he lacked considerable bulk, standing at 6′ and barely tipping the scales as 165lbs. Secondly, due to his limited ice time playing alongside men, his stats didn’t particularly stand out. Lastly, due to his smaller size, his skating skills weren’t what they needed to be in order to be considered “elite.”
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Nevertheless, Kase’s flashy puck handling and passing skills, impressive agility, and incredible vision are what attracted Bob Murray and co. to the young Czech forward. Plus, it was a nice incentive that he already played alongside other players who were of NHL age or older.
Following his draft year, Kase had a much better season with Piráti Chomutov (a team in the Czech2 league.) With 37 games under his belt, he posted 21 points (7g,14a.) However, he stood out even more during their playoff run, posting, on average, a point per game during their 11 game run.
During the 2015-16 season, Kase made the journey over the pond and began his AHL career with the San Diego Gulls. His season was limited to 25 games and only 14 points; going into the 2016-17 season, he was not one of the popular names on the radar of the fans. Nevertheless, he received two call up’s during the 2016-17 season and surprised a lot of people. Although, as a rookie, he has a 15 point season, he provided the Anaheim Ducks with a very important spark that had been missing, and he always seemed to show up exactly when needed.
Over the last two seasons, Kase has improved drastically, developing beautiful chemistry with Adam Henrique but also being relied upon to play in other places throughout the lineup and having great chemistry with whoever he plays alongside. He is often called the “energizer bunny” due to his ability to bring energy both on and off the ice.
Unfortunately, his 2018-19 season would be cut short due to a pre-season concussion and a season-ending shoulder injury. Nevertheless, when he was on the ice, the team was significantly better. He seems to be on the mend, and the “energizer bunny” should be back and better than ever in 2019-20!
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Who has been your favorite player drafted in the late rounds by the Anaheim Ducks over the past 25 years? Did they make our list? Let us know by leaving a comment for us down below!