SCOTT NIEDERMAYER WILL RETURN FOR FINAL SEASON ON CONTRACT

Oh my GOSH! I've been so excited all day about this news that it completely slipped my mind to add the news to my blog. LOL. Well here it is:

The Ducks made it official today, announcing that defenseman Scott Niedermayer will return to the team for 2008-09 NHL season.

“It’s no secret what Scotty has meant to this organization over the past three years,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. “Needless to say, we are thrilled he’s returning to play for the upcoming season.”

Niedermayer has won four Stanley Cup championships and is the only player in hockey history to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold Medal, World Championship, World Cup, Memorial Cup and World Junior title. He helped lead the Ducks to their first Stanley Cup title in 2007, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs.

A native of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Niedermayer has appeared in 209 games with Anaheim since signing as a free agent on Aug. 4, 2005, collecting 36-121=157 points with a +12 rating and 198 penalty minutes (PIM). A James Norris Trophy winner as the most valuable defenseman in 2004, the 34-year-old blueliner has been named to five NHL All-Star teams during his 17-year career. Since making his NHL debut in 1991-92, Niedermayer has scored 148-485=633 points with a +184 rating and 676 PIM in 1,101 career NHL games.

While his prolonged retirement decision in 2007-08 limited Niedermayer to just 48 games played, the 34-year-old was named to his fifth All-Star Game while accumulating 25 points on the year. From the time of his return through the end of the regular season, the 15-year veteran guided the Ducks to the best record in the NHL (32-12-4).

“I had a great time last season after returning to the team,” said Niedermayer. “I’m excited about having another opportunity to win, and fully expect this team to be competing for another Stanley Cup next spring."

Niedermayer spoke to the media via conference call Thursday afternoon.

For the rest of the story with the media conference call transcript go here: CLICK

NHL Suspends Ducks Owner Henry Samueli--

NHL suspends Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli NHL Public Relations Jun 24, 2008, 4:17 PM EDT NEW YORK – Commissioner Gary Bettman today announced that Henry Samueli, owner of the Anaheim Ducks, has been suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the Ducks and the National Hockey League.

On Monday, Mr. Samueli pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Sentencing by the U.S. Federal District Court is scheduled for August 18. Following sentencing, the League will review Mr. Samueli’s status and will finalize the duration of his suspension as well as any other action that may be deemed appropriate.

During his suspension, Mr. Samueli may not be involved in Club matters or activities. Michael Schulman, current alternate governor, will serve as the Club’s governor and will be responsible for managing the operations of the Club, reporting to the Commissioner. In the event Mr. Schulman determines that the Club needs financial assistance from ownership, or raises any other issue that might need ownership involvement, he shall communicate that need to the Commissioner, who then will make the appropriate arrangements.

“While Mr. Samueli has been an exemplary owner, we hold NHL personnel to the highest standards and this plea requires the imposition of discipline under League rules,” Commissioner Bettman said.

Mrs. Susan Samueli, co-owner of the Ducks, has advised the League that, in support of her husband and to avoid any possible improper appearance, she intends to abide by the terms of her husband’s suspension.

Select a Seat for Season Seat Holders:

I didn't go but my step-dad did. Anyways the news that surrounded this event was Burke saying he believes that both Scott and Teemu plan to come back for another year. He said Scott's decision should be made within the next 48 hours (from yesterday). He also said that Perry wants to stay here and that the Ducks will be able to sign him. So there's your up to date news on what's being expected by Burke... now we wait and see what really happens. Ah yes and a classic you'll remember (from when Selanne's wife had her baby) Burke said he hopes that the newborn cries a lot in hopes that it'll help Scotty lean towards the return even more.

Over the weekend was the entry draft:

Here's all the happenings that went on with the Ducks during the draft over the weekend:

A.Ducks Draft Gardiner in First Round

B.Master Gardiner

C.Ducks Add Nine in Day 2 of the Draft

D.Ducks Draft Central

Enjoy.

P.s. Those are links above... you click them, and they bring you to the story surrounding them. ;-)

It's A BOY

Congrats to Scott and Lisa Niedermayer, they welcomed in a new baby boy this afternoon. Luke Scott Niedermayer at 9lbs 1oz.

!!!

I think the next Duckling on the list belongs to Pronger.

Ok, We'll know by Monday!

Apparently Scott Niedermayer's new baby is due tomorrow (perfect timing little one)... so Burke extended his deadline to let us know what he intends to do through the weekend. So he could announce tomorrow but he'll probably wait til Monday. So we'll know by Monday!

I feel like I've done this before... this whole waiting game thing, with wondering every day what Scott is gonna do (and Teemu!)... oh wait. It's cause I have!

Teemu still can do whatever he wants but Burke held a press conference today and said if he hasn't made up his mind by the 1st then he has no other choice but to pursue other options which means cutting into the salary cap that's so far still open for Teemu. So... FOR THE LOVE OF HOCKEY TEEMU!! GIVE AN ANSWER BEFORE JULY 1ST!! :)

We'll know by Friday (6/20/08)

Per TSN us Ducks fans should know on Friday what Scott Niedermayer intends to do-- Fulfill his last year on contract, or retire. Selanne does not have the same deadline as he is a free agent, but he has said he'd let everyone know by July 1st.

My prediction is that I believe both will make a return to the ice. :]

What is your prediction?

Ducks sign Hiller and Ebbett to 2 year extensions!

From anaheimducks.com--

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Wednesday that they have signed goaltender Jonas Hiller to a two-year contract extension through the 2009-10 NHL season. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

Hiller, 26 (2/12/82), made his NHL debut with the Ducks in 2007-08, posting a 10-7-1 record with a 2.06 goals-against average (GAA) and .927 save percentage (SV%) in 23 games. He owned the second-best GAA (1.55; 11GA/426 MIN) and SV% (.952, 217-of-228 shots) in the NHL after March 1 while compiling an 8-4-0 record over his final 12 starts of the regular season.

After posting a 2.06 goals against average, a .927 save percentage and a 10-7-1 record in 23 games as a rookie in 2007-08, Jonas Hiller was rewarded with a two-year contract extension from the Ducks on Wednesday.
A native of Felben Wellhausen, Switzerland, Hiller earned a 4-1 win over Los Angeles in his NHL debut on Sept. 30 in London, England. With his appearance, Hiller became just the fourth Swiss goaltender to play in an NHL game, joining David Aebischer (COL), Martin Gerber (ANA) and Pauli Jaks (LA). Following the 2008 NHL Playoffs, Hiller joined Switzerland for the 2008 IIHF World Championship in Halifax and Quebec City. He appeared in three games, going 1-2-0 with a 2.79 GAA and .915 SV%. Hiller’s team was eventually eliminated by Russia, who went on to win the gold medal.

Originally signed by Anaheim as a free agent on May 25, 2007, the 6-2, 196-pound goaltender spent the 2006-07 season with Davos of the Swiss National League. In 44 appearances with Davos, Hiller posted a 28-16-0 record with a 2.60 GAA. In addition, he helped Davos to both Swiss National League and Spengler Cup championships while also being voted Best Goalie in the Swiss League. In 141 career Swiss National League appearances, Hiller owned an 80-52-10 record with 16 shutouts and a 2.53 GAA.

---------------------------------------------

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Wednesday that they have signed center Andrew Ebbett to a two-year contract extension. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

Ebbett, 25 (1/2/83), played in 74 games last season with Portland, Anaheim’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). Ebbett scored 18-54=72 points with 66 penalty minutes (PIM), leading the Pirates in scoring and assists. He ranked sixth among AHL leaders in assists and tied for 11th in points during the regular season. In the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs, Ebbett helped the Pirates advance to the Eastern Conference Final, scoring 6-11=17 points with a +4 rating and four PIM in 16 postseason games.

Signed as a free agent on May 16, 2007, Ebbett also appeared in three regular season games with the Ducks in 2007-08, going scoreless with a +3 rating and two PIM. He made his NHL debut on Feb. 22, 2008 vs. St. Louis, posting a +1 rating in 11:57 time on ice (TOI).

A native of Vernon, British Columbia, Ebbett made his professional debut in 2006-07 with Binghamton, the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. He scored 26-39=65 points with 44 PIM in 71 games, leading the AHL Senators in assists and ranking second in points.

Ducks trade MAB to MN for 3rd round pick

From anaheimducks.com--

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Tuesday that they have acquired a third-round selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron.

Bergeron, 27 (10/13/80), played in 55 games between Anaheim and the New York Islanders during the 2007-08 regular season, collecting 9-10=19 points. Bergeron went to the Stanley Cup Final as a member of the 2006 Edmonton Oilers, playing in 75 regular season and 18 playoff games that season. In 267 career NHL contests, the 5-10, 197-pound blueliner has scored 48-80=128 points with 131 penalty minutes (PIM).

A native of Trois-Riviéres, Quebec, Bergeron was signed as a free agent by Edmonton on July 20, 2001. He played in his first full NHL season with the Oilers in 2003-04, scoring 9-17=26 points in 54 games. Following the Oilers’ run to the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, he was acquired by the Islanders with a third-round selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Denis Grebeshkov on Feb. 18, 2007. Bergeron was acquired by Anaheim on Feb. 26, 2008 from the Islanders in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

One Year Ago...

Today really is a special day because 1 year ago the Anaheim Ducks won the franchise's very first Stanley Cup! I'm still very proud of the fact that I was able to be at that game in person and see it all happen live, and it's a memory of mine that not even Alzheimer's disease could erase (if I ever got it that is).

AnaheimDucks.com put together this for all of us Ducks fans to look back and remember how our lives as Ducks fans changed 1 year ago! Enjoy!! 1 Year Ago Today...


I think I'll put in my Champions DVD later today and watch it, along with game 5. You know.. To remember what a great day I had 1 year ago. :)

Haven't Had a Poll in a LONG time!

A New Champion Has Been Crowned.

The Detroit Red Wings are the 2007-2008 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS.

Congratulations, and congratulations to all of the Red Wing fans out there, I know there are a ton of you!

Time to look forward to next season, hopefully the Ducks can win it back! Yeah?

Ducks Announce Iowa AHL Affiliation

The Ducks announced today that they have signed a multi-year affiliation agreement with Iowa of the American Hockey League (AHL).

“We are thrilled to be affiliating with the Schlegel family in a great hockey market such as Des Moines,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. “The Ducks are very excited to have an opportunity to work with an ownership and management team that’s as committed to winning as we are. We would like to thank the Portland Pirates and their fans for their tremendous support over the last three years.”

The Ducks spent three seasons affiliated with the Portland Pirates of the AHL, beginning in 2005-06. As an Anaheim affiliate, Portland posted an overall record of 135-76-13-16 for 299 points in 480 games (.623 winning percentage). The Pirates also made deep runs in the Calder Cup Playoffs, advancing to Game 7 of the AHL Eastern Conference Finals in two of the last three years. Since the start of the 2006 postseason, the Ducks and their AHL affiliate have combined to win 10 playoff rounds, more than any other NHL organization in hockey (NHL/AHL).

Over the last three years, 18 players have graduated from the Ducks’ AHL affiliate to make their NHL debuts with Anaheim. Those players include: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Kent Huskins, Ryan Carter, Bobby Ryan, Drew Miller, Petteri Wirtanen, Andrew Ebbett, Dustin Penner, Ryan Shannon, Shane O’Brien, Aaron Rome, Trevor Gillies, Curtis Glencross, Zenon Konopka, Tim Brent, Bjorn Melin and Michael Wall.

The Iowa Stars, purchased by Bob and Kirby Schlegel in October 2005, made their AHL debut as an affiliate of the Dallas Stars in 2005-06 and qualified for the Calder Cup Playoffs in each of their first two seasons. As Iowa’s lone professional hockey team, they have attracted over 550,000 fans to Wells Fargo Arena since joining the AHL.

In addition to the AHL, Des Moines is home to the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and two Midwest High School Hockey League (MHSHL) teams: the Oak Leafs and Capitals. Iowa has been active in the community since its AHL debut through team appearances, the creation of new youth hockey leagues and charitable events that have raised more than $100,000.

Iowa is scheduled to announce its team name, logo and colors in July.

SOURCE: Anaheim Ducks Website