Wild Wing Rewind is a look back at Ducks history and this one reflects on the notable goaltenders of years past

The Anaheim Ducks franchise has had a rich history of goaltenders over its existence. From draft picks to signings, the organization has consistently demonstrated a knack for finding effective backstops. This list is one that I have compiled based on those goalies that I personally found to be entertaining and good at what they do. I have nothing but respect for any goaltender who has reached the highest level, as being a goaltender is about athleticism, reaction, positioning, and mental strength. These are some of the best, in my opinion.

Viktor Fasth 2013-2014

When the goaltender out of Kalix, Sweden was signed by the Ducks prior to the 2013 lockout-shortened season, I remember being very excited. He had just come off two straight seasons in the Swedish Elite League, in which he posted a GAA of just over 2 and a save percentage of .928 in 88 games. Getting great numbers in a high-level European league. Fasth came out of the gate hot in his debut season. The 30-year-old earned eight straight wins, over three weeks, to start his NHL career. Although his time in the orange and gold was short, he did play a big role in tandem with Jonas Hiller. They helped the team to a Pacific Division championship, starting a five-year run, and 30 wins total in an abbreviated season.

John Gibson 2014-2025

Drafted by Anaheim in 2011, Gibson was a very promising prospect in the system. He made a big impact right away in his first NHL game. At 20 years old, he stopped all 18 shots faced and earned a shutout over the Vancouver Canucks in April of  2014.Becoming the youngest goaltender to have a shutout in his debut since Darren Puppa in 1985. He went on to earn two of the three Ducks wins in what eventually was a seven-game elimination at the hands of the Kings.

Overall, Gibby truly was the number one, top choice goalie for Anaheim from 2015 to 2024, playing in orange county for a total of 12 seasons before passing the torch to Lukas Dostal. As a Duck, Gibson recorded an impressive 204 wins in the regular season, with a save percentage around 91 percent and surrendering less than three goals a game. In the playoffs, over 26 starts, he recorded 11 wins with yet another average save percentage around 91 and under three goals against per game. When he was traded away to the Detroit Red Wings, it was a bittersweet thing, as he had been a pillar in the Ducks organization for so many years, but it was time for Dostal to take the helm. Gibby was regularly a top goaltender from year to year during his tenure with Anaheim.

Jean-Sebastian Giguere 2000-2010

Jiggy will forever be remembered with fondness as he, of course, was the goaltender who propelled the Ducks to their first-ever Stanley Cup in 2007. During that season, he had posted unreal numbers. The Montreal native won 36 games in 53 starts that year, adding a 2.26 GAA and a .918 save percentage. Although it was prior to the Cup win, Giguere should also be lauded for his efforts in the 2003 season, including his Conn Smythe-winning performance in what was an unfortunate Game 7 loss to the New Jersey Devils in the Cup Final. Jiggy’s style was always a thing to behold as well. Rocking those Reebok pads and making them look good as he stopped puck after puck. My biggest memory, however, is when he and Teemu Selanne took a beautiful post-game lap together in 2014, as the Ducks and Avalanche faced each other in a regular-season finale.

Jonas Hiller 2007-2014

I will always tell anybody that the Swiss phenom is my favorite all-time Ducks goaltender. There was just something about his play, his gear style, including the interesting mask designs that he sported through the years, and the fact that he also added flair to his saves. He is also one of the rare right-catching goalies. Hiller really came onto the scene as the Ducks' next big crease defender in 2009, when he helped the Ducks to what was only one win away from a conference final trip. He played for Switzerland in two Olympic Games tournaments (Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014) while representing the Ducks as well. Hiller put up over 300 wins in a Ducks sweater, including 21 shutouts. He took part in the first-ever Ducks outdoor game as he helped Anaheim beat the Kings 3-0 at Dodgers Stadium.

Hiller was also known for making glove saves in impressive fashion and adding the old-school windmill action to it as he caught the puck. I always enjoyed seeing his pads and masks as well. He was always rocking something with great colorways and creative design. One of my favorite masks of his was the “Movember” mask that he sported during the 2011-12 season. It featured a headshot of each of his teammates with big mustaches. It was very fun, and it was also auctioned off with proceeds going to an NHL chosen charity after he had worn it throughout the month of November that season.

Anthony Stolarz 2019-2023

Stolarz has been quite the journeyman throughout his hockey career. His pathway through junior, into the NCAA and then back into major junior in the OHL, with the famed London Knights, brought into the pro game. Following a few years with the Flyers and Oilers organizations, Stoly was signed by the Ducks in the summer of 2019. He then went on to play a very reliable and solid backup role in tandem with Gibson through the 2022-23 campaign.

He, too, had his own share of great masks, keeping a consistent trend of using a cool-looking chrome design. However, the biggest thing that comes to mind when I think about Stolarz’s time with the Ducks is his dominance over the San Jose Sharks. For whatever reason, he just had the number of the team in teal. In eight career starts vs San Jose, while wearing the webbed-D, he was 8-0. He made a combined 288 saves, including a 46-save shutout on April 12, 2021. Nothing feels better as a Ducks fan than seeing the boys beat the LA Kings or the Sharks. Stoly definitely made every night against San Jose one to watch.

Honorable Mention:

Ryan Miller  2017-2021

Coming from a strong hockey pedigree, with several of his family members playing at the highest levels, including his brother Drew, a member of the 2007 Cup-winning squad. Miller is a USA legend as he is second all-time in U.S. born NHL wins at 391, with 33 of those coming in a Ducks sweater. He was good for a .907 save percentage and 5 shutouts as well. I did have the privilege of seeing him play once in person in October of 2018. Although the Ducks lost that game 4-2 (empty net goal included), Miller definitely showed his experience and made some huge saves. As a kid who watched him play for Team USA in their 2010 Olympic silver medal run, I was in awe seeing him play with my own eyes.

Final thoughts

There are definitely a number of other notable names to be mentioned in this list, but these are the six that have resonated the most with me for one reason or another. Some were very briefly in Anaheim, others had played there for the majority of their careers. I hope that anyone reading as a fan of this team has enjoyed reminiscing. I know I have. Be on the lookout for more from the Wild Wing Rewind.

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