Labor Day Weekend

I am going to take this weekend off.  However if anything big(i.e. Selanne or Niedermayer news) happens I will be sure to post.  However I leave you with the Allducks.com and MVN coverage of the Anaheim Ducks Fantasy camp at Anaheim Ice

MVN

The Anaheim Ducks held their 5th annual fantasy camp this past week at Anaheim Ice. Thank you to Drop The Puck, from Allducks.com, for providing this report.

Coach Newell Brown drilled the skaters and Brian Hayward worked the goalies. The Ducks players who came to assist and play in the scrimmages on various days were Chris and Sean Pronger, Todd Marchant, Bobby Ryan, George Parros, Ryan Getzlaf, Brian Salcido, Todd Bertuzzi, and Brad May. John Ahlers also participated on ice, and Steve Carroll did the play-by-play for the game. Brian Burke showed up to schmooze a little before the drills on one of the days, and watched a bit from the glass, but did not get on the ice this year. Al Coates was the white team’s coach for the game.
Camp concludes with a scrimmage on the final day. This year, Bertuzzi’s black team won the game 3-2 in spite of the white team getting the advantage of the scorekeeper stretching the last minute of the game into two or three hoping for a tie and shootout. The goalie was just outstanding and even though the white team had May, Salcido, and Brown out there and their goalie pulled for the extra skater, the black defense held off the swarming attack.

Read the rest here - LInk

Allducks.com message board coverage with small pics can be found here - LInk

Have a great weekend!

It's Stanley Cup Friday!

So today's post will be basically all Stanley Cup related except for one small article about the Ducks Golf Classic. We've got the Niedermayers, O'Donnell, Farrish and Burke. So here are today's Anaheim Ducks news articles.

 

I will start off with Friday's Stanley Cup Journal update with Randy Carlyle and Dave Farrish

Randy Carlyle

As promised, the Stanley Cup-winning coach returned to Azilda on Friday, August 17 with the Stanley Cup in tow. Stepping onto the cement surface of the Dr. Edgar LeClair Community Centre's rink where ice will soon be made, Randy was greeted at 11AM by the exuberant cheers of 2,500 local residents as he raised the Stanley Cup over his head and smiled a face-smothering grin. Carlyle then set the Stanley Cup on a table beside the Norris Trophy at one end of the rink and proceeded to greet everyone who took the time to come by. Winding down the length of the rink and snaking into the stands, for four hours, fans filed by the historic trophies to congratulate Randy, get a photo of the coach with the Stanley Cup and collect an autograph. Among those who arrived to congratulate Randy were former teammates Mike Foligno and Rod Schutt, who played with Randy and Dave Farrish on the successful 1975-76 Sudbury Wolves' squad.

Many in the small community knew the Carlyle family well through the years. "There were a lot of people asking, 'Do you remember me?'" laughed Randy. Never losing his proud grin, Carlyle laughed and kibitzed with every fan, keeping the long line moving as efficiently as possible through the afternoon. "It's about having as many people as possible have their picture taken with it," reminded Randy. "We want people to be able to enjoy it!"

Dave Farrish

Dave Farrish asked for the Stanley Cup at his cottage at 6AM on Sunday, August 19 so he could get photographs of the sunrise with hockey's most historic trophy. Dave's wife, Roxanne, was there to witness the incredible view with her husband. It was a belated birthday gift for the likeable assistant coach of the Ducks, who celebrated his 51st birthday on August 1.

Inside the cottage, Farrish has a wall lined with license plates from each of the places in which he's lived — Austria, Canadian provinces New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec plus U.S. states Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and, of course, California.

Later that morning, Dave flew with the Stanley Cup from his Rockville cottage to Lucknow, Ontario. As the small plane prepared to land, Farrish looked out the window and saw about a hundred people waiting for him, as well as 'Welcome Dave' written in a field near the landing strip.

Dave was driven to the Lucknow Sports Complex, where local minor hockey players were given the opportunity to get their photos taken with him and the Stanley Cup. At 1:30, Farrish rode in a convertible with the Cup through Lucknow's downtown core, accompanied by Lucknow Minor Hockey players and coaches and led by the Lucknow Pipe Band. The parade of champions returned to the arena greeted by thunderous applause, as Lucknow welcomed back one of its proud sons.

Dave Farrish sits atop a Ford Mustang with the Stanley Cup en route to the Lucknow Sports Complex.
(Walt Neubrand/HHOF)

The ceremony included greetings from Ian Montgomery, an executive with the minor hockey program, Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek and Lillian Abbott, the chairperson of the Recreation Board. Dave, in turn, thanked his wife, his mother Peggy and his late father for their support, and then told the assembled multitude how much he appreciated them. "I got a lot of e-mails (during the playoffs) from people from in Lucknow, hundreds every day, wishing me the best of luck. That's why I decided to bring the Cup home to Lucknow," explained Farrish. With that, Dave smiled, posed and signed autographs from 2:00 until 5:00PM.

Read the rest here - Link

The Keeper of the Cup Photoblog has been updated.

See the rest here - Link

An Update on the Sean O'Donnell article from earlier yesterday, here is a new picture they posted.

The best Niedermayer Stanley Cup day cover via espn.com

CRANBROOK, British Columbia -- On days like these, the Stanley Cup is less a trophy than a gift; a rare, shiny, sparkling gift to family, to friends, a community.

It is the kind of gift so few get the chance to bestow, its value is almost impossible to determine.

It is about 10 minutes before the Stanley Cup is due to arrive at the RecPlex arena and recreation complex in downtown Cranbrook, where thousands will fete brothers Scott and Rob Niedermayer. But with the clock ticking down, the brothers detour away from the rink to a quiet downtown side street. The brothers and their entourage -- keepers of the Cup, Mike Bolt and Walt Neubrand from The Hockey Hall of Fame, media from ESPN.com, the Los Angeles Times and the Anaheim Ducks organization -- pile out of cars and file into a nondescript house with a small sign out front that reads "Stefan's Hair Studio."

There is a yelp of surprise and within seconds, owner Stefan Zhukrovsky and son Conner, 12, are holding the Stanley Cup in front of the shop. Long before the Niedermayer brothers were even draft prospects, long before the arrival of the Stanley Cup in Cranbrook, the pair were regular customers at Stefan's.

Customers, including a woman with her hair covered in some sort of plastic styling apparatus, appear on the front porch to marvel at the scene.

A few days earlier, the brothers' mother, Carol, a loyal customer, asked Zhukrovsky if he was going to be able to attend the rally at the local rink. He said he didn't think his schedule would allow him to take part. So Carol asked her boys if they wouldn't mind stopping by with the world's most famous sports trophy.

"Our mom gave us strict orders," Scott tells the hair stylist with a smile.

Hours later, Zhukrovsky is still shaking his head at the visit.

"I just can't believe it. Just to take the time, that they would do that for their mom," said Zhukrovsky, who has operated his salon in this mountain community since 1976. "I bet you they had five bloody minutes. That's bloody incredible. You look at the demands on them. What a gesture to do that."

If the Stanley Cup is symbolic of hockey's greatest team achievement, then the ritual of allowing every member of the winning team to have the Stanley Cup for a day (or in the case of the Niedermayers, three days) is symbolic of this kind of gesture.

Over the course of three days, the brothers will make countless gestures of a similar nature. Some will involve hundreds of strangers; some will involve close friends and family. Each moment will mean something special, something different to every single person.

Read the rest here - Link

The Stanley Cup pays a visit to Chino High, thanks to ViciousGrendel.

The Ducks are hosting their annual Golf Classic.

All Ducks Players, Coaches, Broadcasters and Management to Join Sponsors
and Participants in Tournament Benefiting Ducks Care

The Ducks will host their 13^th Annual Golf Classic presented by Honda on Friday, Sept. 7 at Oak Creek Golf Club in Irvine, Calif. The tournament will benefit Ducks Care, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. The sold-out tournament will feature all Ducks players, coaches, broadcasters and management playing alongside sponsors and fans as the “fifth” player in the Golf Classic foursomes. 

Registration for the event will begin at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m.  The Golf Classic will feature numerous competitions such as putting and accurate drive contests, closest to the pin and longest drive.  The day-long event will culminate with an awards dinner featuring a live and silent auction and ceremony where winners of the shamble format tournament and contests will be recognized. 

Read the rest here - Link

 

 

Thursday News

Well today I found more Stanley Cup news, some old and some new.  I also found some analysis of the Ducks team for this season, the Ducks announce their giveaway days,

I will start off with the fresh news and then move back in time.

Sean O'Donnell brings the Cup to his grandma

If grandma can’t come to the Stanley Cup, then the Stanley Cup must come to her.

Anaheim Mighty Duck Sean O’Donnell brought his prize to his grandmother Marie Moyle and her fellow residents at St. Patrick’s Home yesterday.

“My grandmother can’t come to my house, she can’t come to see it,” the affable O’Donnell said. “I just thought I’d bring it to her.”

Moyle, dressed up for her big moment in a flowered dress and ropes of pearls, got a hug from her grandson and was wheeled up to the Cup by his parents Emmett and Mary-Lou.

Moyle reached out and stroked it gingerly before joking that her 6-foot-3, 231-lb. grandson, who will turn 36 next month, is “too small for 35.”

Leaning on walkers and in wheelchairs, grey-haired residents surrounded the towering defenceman, who tirelessly signed autographs and posed for pictures.

Read the rest here - Link

The AOL Fanhouse has a look at this year's Anaheim Ducks team.

Who's In: D Mathieu Schneider (FA-DET), LW Todd Bertuzzi (FA-DET), LW Jason King (Trade-VAN), C Stephen Dixon (Trade-PIT), D Shane Hnidy (FA-ATL)
Who's Out: RW Ryan Shannon (Trade-VAN), C Tim Brent (Trade-PIT), RW Shawn Thornton (FA-BOS), RW Dustin Penner (RFA-EDM)
What's Changed: More or less than you might think. Confused? Don't worry, as the Ducks have more than a few open questions heading into camp. As General Manager Brian Burke has made clear, he's going to give future Hall of Famers Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne as much time as they think they might need to decide whether they want to play for one more season.
After winning his fourth Cup, the Conn Smythe and setting a career high in scoring during the regular season, Niedermayer has nothing left to prove. Ditto for Selanne, who not only finally has the Cup that eluded him his entire career, but in the last two seasons re-established his reputation as an elite scorer on a physical squad that gave him all the room he needed to work his magic.

Read the rest here - Link

The Darien Times has a very thorough look at Ryan Shannon's day with the cup.

Symbolically, the day an NHL champ receives his Stanley Cup ring, is the same day he gets to spend with the Stanley Cup itself.
In fact, Ryan Shannon, 24 of Darien who won the Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in his rookie year last June, and brought the mega-trophy home last week, will not have either his name etched in silver along the famous swirling sides of the NHL’s lofty prize, or that ring on his finger, until mid-October.
That’s just the way it works.

So instead, it was Shannon giving out with a ring of his own, in a move that most probably trumps even the Cup.
How could that, possibly, be...
Oh, it’s pretty easy really. Shannon didn’t share wedding bands on the same day that he shared puck’s silver chalice with thousands — from the Darien Police Station, to the Body Tuning gym, and on to the ice rink and his family home for a picnic all in town, then way down to Grand Central Station, Times Square and at last to the big party also in midtown, all on Aug. 23.

But he did the next closest thing to it.
“Jess, she’s my fiancé now,” said Shannon of his girlfriend, and apparent soul-mate of long standing, Jessica Goldmark. “I proposed to her at the party.”

The two have been going together since high school, and Goldmark was there in California last season supporting Shannon when he was out on a limb — or better, a limbless Palm  — and hanging on tight, with strength, to his budding NHL career, skating with the loaded, hottest team in the league from September of his rookie year.

Read the rest here - Link

Parrysound.com has a look at Brad May's day with the Cup

BRACEBRIDGE – “It was fantastic — so exciting,” said Andrew Urban. The Bracebridge fitness guru was paid a special bonus by one of his clients Thursday: a date with the Stanley Cup.

Mr. Urban trains veteran NHL left-winger Brad May during the off-season, most of which Mr. May spends with his family at a summer residence on Lake Joseph. May was traded to the Anaheim Ducks from the Colorado Avalanche six months ago, and won his first cup in June.

“He’s not a snob,” said Mr. Urban. “He’s got a big heart, and is always thinking of other people. If you only knew how he acts with young people, helping them toward the future and taking the time motivating them. I can’t say anything negative about him.”

A day before the small gathering at Mr. Urban’s home, which saw some of the young athletes Mr. Urban trains get a look at their ultimate goal, Mr. Urban attended May’s Stanley Cup parade in Stouffville. He also visited May’s Thursday evening reception at the Lake Joseph Club.

Read the rest here - Link

Some lucky person got to spend the day with Ric Jackman when he had his day with the cup.  Thankfully that person decided to share their 134 photos with us  Here are a few highlights:

See the rest here - Link

Here are the dates for 2007-2008 Anaheim Ducks Giveaway nights.

Wednesday, October 10 vs. Boston          Mini banners
Sunday, October 14 vs. Minnesota            Magnet schedules (Wednesday, October 17 vs. Nashville      Stanley Cup rings
Friday, November 23 vs. Phoenix               T-Shirts

Wednesday News

Well, season tickets are officially capped at 15,000.  WOW!  So in other news the Anaheim Ducks renewed their affiliation withe Augusta Lynx, more Niedermayer retirement talk and another link to Scott & Rob's Stanley Cup day.

Ducks Season Tickets Capped at 15,000

The Ducks have announced that they have capped season ticket sales at 15,000 and started a waiting list for all future orders. The club is capping such sales in order to provide fans the opportunity to purchase single-game seats on Saturday, Sept. 15 for the 2007-08 home schedule.

Click here to get on the season seat waiting list

“Our community has enthusiastically responded to our success over the last two years, and we thank them for their tremendous support,” said Anaheim Ducks Executive VP/COO and Anaheim Arena Management President/CEO Tim Ryan. “As we’ve stated for the last two seasons, one of our primary objectives is to continue expanding the growth of hockey in Southern California. With that in mind, we have decided to cap season seat sales in order to be able to continue to give fans the opportunity to watch our sport in person.”

See the rest of the Ducks announcement here - Link

Augusta Lynx renew their affiliation with the Ducks.

“I couldn’t be happier to once again share this affiliation,” said Lynx general manager Dan Troutman. “The quality and skill level of the players we have received in the past from both Anaheim and Portland has been phenomenal, and they have made a direct and immediate impact for our team. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be affiliated with the Stanley Cup Champions? It is a great opportunity for this organization moving forward into our 10th Anniversary.”

See the short article here - Link

Scott Niedermayer retirement watch

"He's getting cold feet," joked his wife, Lisa, as the two stood in a parking lot in Cranbrook, Canada, where they grew up.
Asked about the Ducks' opening series of the upcoming regular season -- consecutive games against the Kings in London on Sept. 29-30 -- Niedermayer was more certain. He made it clear that the trip was too far and that he does not plan to go. "Let's put it this way," said the four-time Stanley Cup winner, "there's a bigger chance that I will play this season than go to London."

Read the rest here - Link

Earl Sleek has his own unique look at the Niedermayer situation with an interesting statistic

At any rate, word on the web is that Scotty is considering coming back for another season, though for whatever reason, he doesn’t want to go to England. Severe anglophobia aside, this would be a tremendous development for the Ducks’ hopes of repeating.

Read the rest here  - Link

One more Scott and Rob with the cup article

The long wait started on June 6 when Scott and Rob Niedermayer first hoisted the Stanley Cup after their Anaheim Ducks had won the final game against the Ottawa Senators. It finally came to an end on Monday, when people got a chance to get a good look at Lord Stanley’s cup at the Cranbrook RecPlex. East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett and Cranbrook Mayor Ross Priest had issued the invitation and hundreds of people came out to celebrate.

Everybody got on their feet, giving the Niedermayer brothers and enthusiastic welcome when they were brought into the arena to the sound of “Ladies and Gentlemen”, the song the Ducks played before every single Stanley Cup game. The cup perched on the cab, Scott and Rob Niedermayer got a ride in the box of a truck before joining their hosts in the middle at centre ice to answer some questions about their careers and Stanley Cup success.

Read the rest here - Link

STANLEY CUP SCHEDULE- RED ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The team members have had their day.  Now it's our turn again. So reschedule your vacations, schedule a day off of work and get your kids out of school because on September 11 the Stanley Cup will be on display at Anaheim's City Hall.  No details have been give but stay tuned here or at Anaheim.net for details.

Here is a link to the original press release. - Link

Sean O'Donnell Stanley Cup Day Update

Well for once I have a few days notice on a Stanley Cup day.  So if you are interested in seeing it or if you are interested in seeing Sean O'Donnell here is your chance.

The Stanley Cup will be visiting Kanata, Ontario this week and will be making an appearance on Friday at the Kanata Sports Club/Jack Charron Arena.

Here are some of the details:

Sean O'Donnell, Stanley Cup winner with the Mighty Ducks and former Kanata Valley Laser player, is bringing Lord Stanley's cup to the Kanata Sports Club! This is an adults-only, members-only hot seat. You must be a member to purchase and use a ticket. Due to anticipated demand, tickets will be sold IN ADVANCE and only 120 are available. Tickets are available for purchase at the Club at a cost of $10.00 per ticket, which includes lunch. You MUST have a ticket AND be on the membership list to attend and there will be NO tickets available at the door.
The Cup will move downstairs to the Jack Charron Arena slab after the Hot Seat - this event will be open to everyone, there is no admission charge, and food and refreshments will be available for purchase with all proceeds going to ROGERS HOUSE.

You can contact the Kanata Sports Club here - Link

Map and directions to the Jack Charron Arena

or Googlemap it - Link

10 McKitrick Dr.
Kanata, ON K2L1T7
613-580-2424 ext. 33254

Driving Instructions:
Located approx. 25 km southwest of downtown Ottawa.
From the East (Ottawa): Hwy-417 west approx. 20 km to Castlefrank Rd./Kanata Ave. (exit 139). Turn left on Kanata Ave./Castlefrank Rd. and proceed south approx. 2.5 km to McKitrick Drive. Turn right on McKitrick Dr. and proceed west a very short distance to arena on the left.
From the Southwest (Toronto): Hwy-401 east approx. 320 km to Hwy-416 North. Proceed north on Hwy-416 approx. 66 km to Fallowfield Rd./RR-12 (exit 66). Turn left on Fallowfield Rd. (RR-12) and proceed west approx. 5 km to Eagleson Rd./RR-49. Turn right on Eagleson Rd. (RR-49) and proceed north approx. 6 km to Abbyhill Drive. Turn left on Abbyhill Dr. and proceed west approx. 1 km to Castlefrank Road. Turn right on Castlefrank Rd. and proceed north a short distance (approx. 150 meters) to McKitrick Drive. Turn left on McKitrick Dr. and proceed west a very short distance to arena on the left.
From the Northwest (North Bay): Hwy-17 east approx. 330 km to the Terry Fox Rd. (exit 140). Turn right on Terry Fox Rd. and proceed south approx. 2 km to Hazledean Road. Turn left on Hazledean Rd. and proceed east approx. 0.5 km to Castlefrank Drive. Turn right on Castlefrank Dr. and proceed south a short distance to arena on the right.

Special thanks to areanmaps.com for the info - Link

More info:

THE KOHA : Stanley Comes to KSC

Holy Grail
PAUL BRASFORT
Ass. Press
KANATA - On August 31, at a special edition of the Sports Hotseat, Mark Papousek will be hosting Sean O'Donnell and the Stanley Cup. After the Q/A, the CUP will be on display on the ice surface of the Jack Charon arena for members of the KSC to have their pictures taken. with it. You MUST be a member of the Sports Club ( all KOHA players of last season are) and a nominal fee of about $5.00 will be charged and the proceeds will go to the Make a Wish Foundation. Further details will be announced as they become available.
© The K.O.H.A. 2007

See the original article here - Link

Tuesday News - Stanley Cup Update Day

Well it's Tuesday and we all know what that means!  The HHOF has updated their Stanley Cup Journal and the keepers of the cup have updated their photoblog.  I also found a short video of the Niedermayer's riding around an arena on their day with the cup, Chris Kunitz was NHLPA player of the day and some analysis on Kunitz's contract.

Shawn Thornton via Stanley Cup Journal

Shawn Thornton was drafted into the NHL by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1997. For an Oshawa boy living just east of the metropolis, this was a dream come true. But Shawn's career took him from the Leafs organization (he never got to pull on the Leafs' sweater at the NHL level) to the Chicago Black Hawks from 2002-03 until 2006-07, when he joined the Anaheim Ducks' organization.

Shawn began the season in the AHL, where he captained the Portland Pirates. But an injury to scrapper Todd Fedoruk meant a quick call to Portland to tell Thornton to pack his bags — he was head to Anaheim.

A year that began with the uncertainty of whether he'd play in the NHL finished with a season that saw Shawn play 48 games during the regular season, 15 more in the playoffs and culminated gulping victor's champagne from the bowl of the Stanley Cup.

 

Ric Jackman

Ric Jackman was raised in Barrie, about an hour north of Toronto, and on Tuesday, August 14, he took the Stanley Cup home to meet his parents.

In a career that has had more twists and turns than a rollercoaster, Ric got to enjoy the rewards of persistence. Drafted in the first round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars, Ric has had stints with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, and began the 2006-07 season with the Florida Panthers. In December, Jackman was placed on waivers by the Panthers, and was gobbled up in January by the Ducks, who saw a defenseman with size and a booming shot fitting nicely into their blueprint. Ric found a spot on the blueline with the Ducks, but back spasms almost robbed Ric of his chance at the Stanley Cup. Missing the last handful of regular season games, Jackman was out for all of Rounds One and Two and parts of the Conference Final against Detroit. But feeling healthy and strong coincided with a need to insert Ric into the line-up. In his first game in two months, Jackman scored a goal to help Anaheim to a 3-1 win over the Red Wings. In all, he got into seven playoff games on the march to the Stanley Cup. "Having a chance to play at the end where it's fun, and obviously to win the Stanley Cup, was real special," he stated.

 

Brad May

A veteran of the battles of fifteen NHL seasons, Brad May must have been haunted wondering whether he would ever have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. But wonderful things happen to good people. After starting his sixteenth season, May was traded from Colorado to Anaheim on February 27, 2007. The Ducks clearly were looking at infusing some veteran savvy and moxy to their line-up, and came up with both in a package called Brad May.

When the Stanley Cup arrived at the Markham, Ontario home of Brad's Mom, Linell, on Wednesday, August 15, Brad had not yet arrived, but he showed up shortly afterwards, ready to start his celebration.

Brad first took the Stanley Cup to show his grandmother in Markham. There was a reception for Brad at Grace Anglican Church in Markham, the church attended by his mother and grandmother. Then, it was over to his father's house in Goodwood, a lovely home edging onto the Coppinwood Golf Club. While there, Brad visited his paternal grandmother in Uxbridge, then returned to the house where he saw a number of old friends, including George Burnett, who was his coach with the Niagara Falls Thunder. Over at the golf course, Brad set the Cup on display on the third tee, and members could get a picture with Lord Stanley's prize.

Read the rest of their stories here - Link

Here are a few selections from the Keeper of the cup photoblog.

See the rest of the photos here - Link

A short video of Scott and Rob with the Cup.

Chris Kunitz was player of the day at the NHLPA -

Position: Left Wing

Team: Anaheim Ducks

Shoots: Left

Height: 6'0"

Weight 195

Birth Date: 1979-09-26

Birth Country: Canada, REGINA

Year Drafted: 2003

Round Drafted: Not Drafted (my edit)

Overall Choice: Not Drafted (my edit

Jersey Number:14

Need to Know:
What a difference a year makes. At the start of the 2005-06 season, Chris Kunitz, one of the most promising prospects in the Ducks’ system was told there was no room for him on the NHL roster, was waived and claimed quickly by the Atlanta Thrashers. Chris didn’t even have a nameplate on a locker before the Thrashers had to waive him after just two games. With a 2-4 start to the season, the Ducks scooped up Chris for another go with the club. It was a wise decision because the Regina native went on to score 19 goals and 41 points in just 67 games for the Ducks in his proper rookie season. His second full season is one he’ll never forget: 25 goals, 35 assists, and despite an injury he came back in the playoffs to help his teammates lift California’s first Stanley Cup. A former star with Ferris State of the Central Collegiate division, Chris was a Hobey Baker finalist in his senior year (2002-03) with 79 points in just 42 games.

See his featured profile here - Link

Chris Kunitz signing analysis from AOL Fanhouse

Chris Kunitz, the former Hobey Baker finalist, joined the list of Anaheim Ducks scoring a big payday, as he signed a 4-year/$14.9mil extension this morning. Coming off of a Stanley Cup winning performance and break-out season, a raise was well-deserved for the 27-year old.

Kunitz will earn $1.15 million in the last year of his old deal this season before the new contract kicks in, paying him $3.5 million in 2008-09, $3.6 million in 2009-10, $3.8 million in 2010-11 and $4 million in 2011-12.
"Chris has been a very important multi-dimensional player for us the last two seasons, providing skill, physical play and leadership," Ducks GM Brian Burke said in a statement. "We are very pleased to have him signed prior to his eligibility as an unrestricted free agent next summer."

What's easy to forget, especially given the kind words Burke has for his player, is that it wasn't too long ago that Kunitz wasn't even wanted by his own team!
Yes, at the start of the 2005-06 season, Kunitz was put on waivers by the Anaheim Ducks, and plucked by the Atlanta Thrashers. Two games later, the Thrashers put him back on waivers, and Anaheim took him back. Hardly the road to stardom that most take.

Read the rest here - Link

Battle of California has some analysis as well.

Well, I’m a day late on this, but top line winger Chris Kunitz, who is already under contract for $1.15 M this coming season, signed a UFA-avoiding extension yesterday: 4 years, $14.9 M (with a cap value of $3.725 M per year).
I’m fairly happy with this signing, though I will note that it is a bit difficult to peg a value on Kunitz’s contributions. After all, Kunitz is rarely the opponent’s focal point on any of his line combinations. But whereas some players are purely "passengers" on scoring lines, Kunitz is more of an "enabler"—he noticeably improves scoring results around him.
To demonstrate this, I stole some numbers from an even-strength teammate evaluation site created by HockeyAnalysis.com’s David Johnson. Basically, this site looks at last season’s even-strength ice time and determines scoring rates (GF and GA) when certain players play together and when they play apart. Below are the top 4 forwards and the top 4 defensemen that Chris Kunitz played with at even-strength last year. Note how all 8 players had improved results playing with Kunitz compared to their even-strength ice time without him.

Read the rest here - Link

One more post

Well I just keep finding news so here is one more post.The Niedermayer brothers are becoming quite popular.  The City of Cranbrook is thinking of renaming a few things after them.

NEWS - Niedermayer Place?

Since the City of Cranbrook recently took over the Rec Plex, Chamber Directors feel it may be a good time to change the name to honour two of Cranbrook's most famous celebrities.
At the August 15th monthly meeting, Directors voted to propose the City consider changing the name of the Cranbrook Rec Plex to Niedermayer Place.
The significance goes beyond the celebrity of Scott and Rob Niedermayer, who won the Stanley Cup championship with the Anaheim Ducks this past year.
Board members feel the NHL stars contribute greatly to the community, always graciously giving their time, helping out with charity causes and lending their status to help benefit Cranbrook residents.
Niedermayer Place was chosen because the Rec Plex is about more than sport, it's about community.
Directors also voted to propose renaming the portion of road by the Rec Plex Niedermayer Way.
That would be 2nd Street North between Victoria and 14th Avenues.

The original article was here - Link

Scott Niedermayer Retirement Watch - The Latest News and part of his day with the Cup

Thanks to TSN we have the latest news on Scott's status.  Which if you do not read the article or watch the video, remains undetermined. However if you want more details, read the article and watch the linked video. I also have an article from CBC about his day with the Cup.

TSN Report

It came as a surprise to almost everyone in the hockey world when reports surfaced this summer that Anaheim Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer was seriously considering retirement - just after leading the team to its first Stanley Cup.

But when the 33-year-old NHL veteran returned to his hometown of Cranbrook, B.C., with teammate and brother Rob to show off the Cup on Monday, he admitted that a return next season is still very much a possibility.

"Obviously, it's a lot different after the Stanley Cup playoffs," Niedermayer told TSN. "You're tired, you've been through a long year. And after having some time off, you're feeling better physically."

The Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP informed general manager Brian Burke of the possibility of retirement during the players' exit interviews a few days after Anaheim won its championship. But a couple of months away from the ice has the future Hall of Famer in a somewhat different mindset.

"I'm in a different spot, no question about it," he told TSN. "But again, I'm just trying to make the right decision. I know it's unfortunate that people are waiting to see what the decision is - it's not fun, but that's the way it is right now."

Read the rest here - Link

Watch the video here - Link

CBC - Short Article

It's a day they probably dreamed about a million times growing up.But boyhood dreams turned to reality for Rob and Scott Niedermayer on Monday when the brothers paraded the Stanley Cup through their hometown of Cranbrook, B.C.

They arrived as conquering heroes after helping the Ducks of Anaheim win the first NHL championship in club history. But instead of a chariot, the brothers rode through town on a Zamboni.

Winning Lord Stanley's trophy was exactly what the brothers were thinking about when they signed with Anaheim. But now that they have won a championship as teammates, what to do for an encore?

Scott isn't sure whether he is going to play this season. After four Stanley Cups, retirement is a real possibility.

You can see the original article here - Link

Thanks to Kootenay Sports Online for this photo

The Stanley Cup will be visiting Fernie, BC

Anaheim Ducks star Scott Niedermayer will be bringing the cup to Fernie Alpine Resort Tuesday, August 28th for a ride up Timber Chair to the Lost Boys Café. Time in resort is expected to be limited but if you’ve ever wanted to see the cup up close this is your chance.

The ride up the lift will take place at approximately 11:30 am and should last about a half hour. Fernie Alpine Resort will be offering complimentary rides up the Timber Chair between 11:15-12:30 for this event.

In addition both Scott and Rob Niedermayer will be in Cranbrook on Monday where a small pep rally and skate around the ice are scheduled to take place.

Thanks to Ourfernie.com for the info - Link

Four More Years!!!!!! - Monday News

Well if you have not heard yet, the Anaheim Ducks have signed Chris Kunitz to a four year contract extension.  The price tag?  $14.9 million. The contract does not start until the 2008-2009 season.  He has one year left on his current contract ($1.15 mil).  Chris is a great player who works well as the tough guy/skill player for the first line.  He is a proven player who I look forward to watching for the next few years.

Here are today's articles

Official Ducks announcement with audio

The Ducks announced today that they have signed left wing Chris Kunitz to a four-year contract extension (beginning in 2008-2009). Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

“Chris has been a very important multi-dimensional player for us the last two seasons, providing skill, physical play and leadership,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. “We are very pleased to have him signed prior to his eligibility as an unrestricted free agent next summer.”

Kunitz, 27, (9/26/79), played in 81 regular season games last season, scoring 25-35=60 points with 81 penalty minutes and a +23 rating. The Regina, Saskatchewan native added 1-5=6 points in 13 playoff games (missed eight games due to injury), helping Anaheim win the Stanley Cup. Over the last two regular seasons, Kunitz has scored 44-57=101 points with 150 penalty minutes and a +42 rating. He and Teemu Selanne were the only two NHL forwards last season with 25 plus goals, 80 plus penalty minutes and a +20-or-better ratin

Read the rest here - Link

Hear the audio here - Link

Orange County Register Coverage

Often overshadowed by better-known, bigger-name teammates, left wing Chris Kunitz probably didn’t receive the attention he deserved last season, when his 25 goals and 60 points made him the Ducks’ fourth-leading scorer.

The payoff came Monday, when the Stanley Cup champions signed Kunitz to a four-year contract extension worth $14.9 million.

“We have a lot of bright-lights players, and he doesn’t get much recognition,” Ducks general manager Brian Burke said. “Recognition is a four-year deal at this kind of dough. We regard Chris Kunitz as a critical player. He’s one of our Swiss Army knives. He can do almost anything on an ice rink. He’s good enough to play on the first line, tough enough to play on the fourth line, and can do almost anything in between.”

Kunitz, 27, will receive $1.15 million this season, after which he could have become an unrestricted free agent. Instead, the new pact beginning in 2008-09 calls for him to receive yearly salaries of $3.5 million, $3.6 million, $3.8 million and $4 million, with the Ducks taking an annual salary-cap hit of $3.725 million.

“When a great deal like this comes on the table, you have to jump on an opportunity to stay with a great team,” Kunitz said. “I always wanted to be in Anaheim. Obviously, the security of getting a deal done and knowing your future for a while is nice. Once you find a good fit, with the system and the coaches and the organization, it’s tough to leave something like that.”

Read the rest here - Link

Here is an LA Times article on the Kunitz signing

Heading off any contractual issue before his current deal expires after the coming season, the Ducks signed left wing Chris Kunitz to a four-year, $14.9-million extension that will become effective in 2008-09.
Kunitz, 27, will make $1.15 million this season and would have become an unrestricted free agent next July if he chose to test the market. Instead, the Ducks have one of their top scorers under contract for the next five seasons.

"Chris has been a very important multidimensional player for us the last two seasons, providing skill, physical play and leadership," General Manager Brian Burke said. "We are very pleased to have him signed prior to his eligibility as an unrestricted free agent next summer."
Kunitz set career bests of 25 goals and 60 points and added a goal and five assists in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He sat out most of the Western Conference finals against Detroit because of a broken finger but returned to play in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals against Ottawa.
According to a source close to the negotiations, Kunitz will make $3.5 million in 2008-09, $3.6 million in 2009-10, $3.8 million in 2010-11 and $4 million in 2011-12.

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CBC Coverage

The Anaheim Ducks signed left-winger Chris Kunitz to a $14.9-million US, four-year contract extension on Monday.

The 27-year-old Regina native recorded 25 goals and 60 points and boasted a plus-23 rating in 81 regular-season games last season.

Kunitz also had one goal and five points in 13 playoff games during Anaheim's Stanley Cup run.

"Chris has been a very important multi-dimensional player for us the last two seasons, providing skill, physical play and leadership," Ducks general manager Brian Burke said in a statement.

"We are very pleased to have him signed prior to his eligibility as an unrestricted free agent next summer."

Kunitz's new deal goes into effect at the start of the 2008-09 NHL season.

Read the rest here - Link

Stanley Cup Schedule for 8/26 - 9/1

Well it is the final week for Stanley travels with the Ducks. It has been a fun summer covering this and I hope you have enjoyed my coverage. I will posting photos as I get them. Here is this weeks schedule courtesy of the OC Register.

1. Scott Niedermayer, today—Monday

2. Rob Niedermayer, Tuesday

3. Sean O’Donnell, Thursday—Friday