Wild Wing Rewind is a look back at all things Ducks, this one on Ryan Getzlaf’s unparalleled impact in Anaheim

It’s hard to believe that Getzy will be entering his fifth season of retirement after so many amazing years in Orange County. The former Ducks captain, an honor he held for 12 of his 17 seasons, is the franchise leader in games played, assists, and points, also ranking 4th all-time in Ducks goal scoring. Drafted at 19th overall in the 2003 NHL entry draft, this pick for the franchise would be the first piece in a new era for the team. Corey Perry was drafted later in the first round, 28th overall, and quickly became Getzlaf’s “Canadian Twin,” as they were referred to as being twins due to the uncanny chemistry they had on and off the ice. Every time they played together, especially on the power play, it was so exciting to see what they would do and how the two of them would contribute to goal after goal.

The two of them, along with Dustin Penner, would form the PPG line, which would have major implications for the 2007 Cup-winning campaign. One of the cooler and more clever nicknames for a line in my opinion, maybe second only to the Legion of Doom for the Flyers, 1990s line with Eric Lindros, Mikael Renberg and John LeClair… I digress, but the young Ducks trio combined for 71 goals and 147 points, missing zero games, in the 2006-07 regular season. Of course, the Cup is not captured after 82 games, but in the slog that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 21 games, the Ducks handily dispatched each opponent, with the exception of the very good Detroit Red Wings. Getzlaf solidified himself as a future Ducks legend as he led the team with 17 points, including 3 game-winning goals throughout the run.

The Regina, Saskatchewan native gathered many accolades throughout his time as a Duck, including three NHL All-Star selections (2008, 2009, 2015), Hart Trophy finalist in 2013-14, and two Olympic Gold medals. (2010, 2014) I have a fond memory of waking up around four in the morning in 2014 to watch Getzy and Pears as they were playing in the Gold Medal Game against Sweden, with Jakob Silfverberg facing them. With the USA being out, I was fully rooting for the Canadians, wanting to see Perry and Getzlaf get that top prize in Sochi.

Rewinding a couple of years before that, I had the privilege of going to my first-ever Ducks game during the 2011-12 season. Keep in mind that I grew up in Utah, so it was a very big deal for me to take a trip to see my boys in person. It was my 16th birthday trip. I have a great Getzy memory from this particular game. It was Friday, March 2, 2012. The Ducks were hosting the Calgary Flames, and it was a good back and forth game, with Ducks goals being scored by Bobby Ryan and Perry before the Flames would make it 2-2 just under five minutes into the third off a goal by Alex Tanguay. Both goalies were stalwarts in net, and the game got tighter as it went on. Looking like an impending OT game. However, in the final minute Perry entered the offensive zone on the right wing and carried up to about the hashmarks, by the boards…Then, with a slick drop pass, like he had eyes in the back of his head, he found Getzlaf’s stick as the captain blasted an absolute laser into the net! With only 46 seconds remaining. A big win from a goal by Getzlaf. Also a display of Getzy and Pears being so connected as teammates. Here is a word from Perry from last summer.

Another fantastic memory I have of Getzlaf was from the 2013-14 season. Some Ducks fans may remember this one, a 1-0 OT game in November at Honda Center against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jonas Hiller and Ben Bishop had a combined 72 saves! In the dying seconds of the OT period, a puck was bobbled by a Tampa forward and picked up by Getzy. He raced toward the Tampa end and fired a hard wrister that rebounded, then was ping-ponged in by a defenseman, dramatically crossing the goal line with under 6 seconds left. The captain did a very memorable “running legs” celebration, and I still think about that moment on a regular basis.

Other notable moments in number 15’s time with Anaheim are many. One, his first career NHL hat trick on November 8, 2013. He scored 3 goals in the first period versus the visiting Buffalo Sabres. His smile when he got the third was childlike; you could see just how happy he was for the achievement. Another would be when he became the all-time Ducks assist leader with a three-assist effort against the Flames in November of 2016. Following that up a few seasons later with his 1000th game, vs the Chicago Blackhawks on November 3, 2019. The next major milestone for Getzy hit on Halloween night of 2021, as he assisted a Troy Terry goal in a win over the Montreal Canadiens at Honda Center, becoming the all-time leader in points for Anaheim. The last big milestone for the 17-year veteran was on November 16, 2021. He fired a cross-ice pass off the boards to a streaking Cam Fowler, who wired one through the legs of the Washington Capitals goaltender, Vitek Vanecek. Even Fowler knew that his goal meant nothing other than being a part of history as Getzlaf reached 1000 NHL points. The first Duck to do it, of course.

Aside from the incredible passes, his amazing shots, his continuous hustle, and his on-ice leadership, he made an impression on me as a fan for other reasons. This is more of a humorous note, but I remember that my mom would always be grossed when the broadcast would pick Getzy as he did a big farmer-blow of snot onto the ice, or the bench. It just always seemed to happen with the camera on him. As well, I just remember the way he would smirk and give opposing players or refs the look of “Come on, really?!” After a controversial call was made or after some player had done something to a fellow Duck. He was tough too. Also, he did not drop the gloves a whole bunch, but he always made it count when he did.

Reflecting on Getzlaf’s career, it does make me sad that he is not playing anymore. That’s part of hockey, part of life. People have to retire at some point. Someone like Ryan Getzlaf was a joy to watch as a Ducks fan, and I would argue a favorite of many hockey fans throughout the league. He is coming up on his fifth year out of the league, which is hard to believe.

One last sentimental memory of him for me is from his last game. It was April 24, 2022. A 6-2 deficit to the St Louis Blues, with under three minutes to go. Getzy received a pass from Terry, skated into the slot, made a spin-deke, and then, just like Getzy did, he made a beautiful backhand pass to Adam Henrique, who made no mistake and put it away. The Ducks didn’t win, but that didn’t matter. Fans chanted “Getzy, Getzy, Getzy…” That final assist made by him was perfect. It just gave a poetic send-off to such an unbelievable player. I will be the first person, and surely not the only fan, to say that I cried for minutes on end. Seeing that assist was magic. Seeing him being so loved was special.

Final Thoughts

With all of this being said, Ryan Getzlaf is entering his second year now as an eligible Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. He has a case for sure, and it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” he gets the nomination to enter that hallowed club. He played over 1,150 games, leads the Ducks in all-time assists (737) and points (1,109). Won the Stanley Cup, won two Olympic Golds, and was always a leader, on and off the ice. Not to mention the things he did before his time in the NHL, such as winning the 2005 World Junior Championship as part of one of the greatest Canadian teams ever assembled. Perhaps he would want to go into the Hall with Perry, and is fine waiting, or perhaps it happens this coming November. Love you, Getzy! Go Ducks!

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