3rd Annual Anaheim Ducks In a Roll

What's quickly becoming a very popular preseason event, the 3rd annual Anaheim Ducks in a Roll took place tonight at RA Sushi in Tustin.

Including this year, I've now been to all three and I can accurately say that it gets more and more crowded every year. When it was announced that Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf would be joined by Bobby Ryan and newcomer Andrew Cogliano, along with one lucky fan, I knew this year's event was going to be a zoo.


The calm before the storm

Arriving early didn't help much. Everyone was there early!

Like last year, seating was virtually nonexistent. There were a few standing tables, but otherwise, fans had to mill about and eat their sushi on the go. The "rules" were basically the same. Guests got to watch the boys roll their specialty sushi rolls and sample each roll. Purchasing a roll for $10 would count as a "fan vote" for that player, and $2 would go to the Anaheim Ducks Foundation. The roll with the most votes earns that player a win in the Fan Favorite category.


Fans eagerly awaiting

Rolls were also rated by a panel of judges and, in the end, an ultimate winner would be announced. That roll would be available on RA Sushi menus for the majority of the upcoming season, along with the $2 donation to charity.


Streamlined from last year, premade rolls were ready to go before the boys learned how to make them

Year after year, the players have a lot of fun with this event. And the fans do too. Let's look at some pictures!


Andrew Cogliano learning how to make his roll


Cogs: "So, how do I start?"


Getting heckled by Gezlaf, although Getzy did admit Cogs' roll was pretty good




Cogs presenting the "Breakaway" roll


"Breakaway" roll: yellowtail, spicy albacore, avocado and cucumber, drizzled with garlic ponzu and sriracha and topped with a slice of jalapeno


Getzlaf taking note of his available ingredients. No poutine, eh?


Bobby Ryan and Getzlaf discussing the finer points of sticky rice




All three Ducks hard at work


Ducks fan and winner with the highest bid, $550, Jeff Banner

Honestly, I thought Jeff's roll, the "Slapshot" (salmon, mango salsa, cream cheese inside; eel, roe, and eel sauce outside) was really good. I'm not a fan of jalapenos or spicy food so Jeff's was perfect for me.


Getzy learning how to make his roll, the "Captain Crunch" roll


What a pro!




Getzy presenting his roll to the fans


Getzy's "Captain Crunch" roll: spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, cucumber, and crunchy tempura bits, with a chili ponzu dipping sauce


Bobby learning how to make his roll, the "Hat Trick" roll


Bobby: "We don't actually come up with the names or ingredients in these..."






Bobby presenting his finished roll


The "Hat Trick" roll: salmon, spicy mayo, avocado and cucumber inside; crab mix and mango salsa outside

I really liked Bobby's roll too. Not too spicy, but very tasty. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, considering the fate of past fan favorite winners--they always end up traded), Bobby's came in third in the voting.


Getzlaf walked away with the fan favorite vote...


... but it was Cogliano and his "Breakaway" roll that won the judging

You can pick up the "Breakaway" roll at SoCali RA Sushi locations from October 11 until early April of next year, with $2 going to the Anaheim Ducks Foundation.


Said one judge, "Cogliano's roll has a bite to it, which you wouldn't expect from a player who just spent two seasons in Edmonton..."

As always, a fun event!

RIP Ruslan "Rusty" Salei

This morning, a plane carrying KHL team Lokomotiv from Yaroslavl to Minsk, Belarus crashed shortly after takeoff. 43 people were killed, among them, crew and former NHL players. One player and one crew member survived, but are listed in critical condition.

Former Mighty Duck Ruslan "Rusty" Salei was aboard this flight. His death was confirmed by the Russian Emergency Ministry. Salei spent 9 years on the Mighty Duck roster, becoming a beloved teammate and fan favorite.

The following was issued by the Anaheim Ducks organization:

"The Anaheim Ducks organization is shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Ruslan Salei. ‘Rusty’ was a fan favorite and dedicated member of the Orange County community since being drafted by Anaheim in 1996. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife and three children, along with all of the other members of the hockey community affected by this horrible tragedy."

To pay their respects, Ducks fans erected a memorial at the Wild Wing statue outside of the Ponda.



More pictures courtesy of the OC Register: Slideshow

Salei leaves behind a wife and three children. He was 36.

You'll be missed, Rusty.

14th Annual Fedorin Cup

The temperature gauge in my truck read "105°F." But I wasn't worried about being the least bit miserable. This is when being a hockey fan in Southern California pays off in dividends.

What better place to be than in the crisp, cool environment of an ice hockey rink?

With the smell of the rink, the sound of the puck bouncing off the boards and glass, and the buzzing of starved hockey fans, Anaheim Ice was the place to be last Saturday afternoon.

Originally established in 1998 in memory of Eric Fedorin, a Californian hockey player whose life was cut short by brain cancer, the annual Fedorin Cup raises money for cancer charities. Hockey pros of the past and present play a friendly game of puck, prizes are auctioned and raffled off, and hockey fans gather in the spirit of giving and preseason excitement.

I've been to this event for the past two years and it always signals a sort of pre-preseason for me. Hockey's coming back, and the fans are more than ready.

This year's roster was a little short on the star power, but one star made up for that. It wasn't until the very last minute that we found out Teemu Selanne would be playing, but that didn't keep the fans from lining up hours beforehand.


Packed house at Anaheim Ice

The format was according to tradition, Team USA versus Team Canada, with any token Finns suiting up with the Americans. Rookies were linemates with local veterans and NHLers. Rosters included newly-retired Todd Marchant, fresh-acquisition Jake Newton, and perennial favorite Rick Hutchinson (all playing on Team USA); and journeyman Sean Pronger and ex-Duck-now-King Dustin Penner (both playing on Team Canada).

Let's check out the pictures!


I spy Teemu at the right end of that lineup!


Team Canada standing tall during their national anthem

Would it surprise anyone that Teemu got the loudest cheers?


Selanne and Team Canada captain Jason Marshall in the ceremonial puck drop


Selanne in his "office" waiting for the pass


You could feel the audience holding their breath every time Teemu approached the goal...

The Flash looked absolutely awesome out on the ice. He was his usual speedy self and, even though the hands looked a tad rusty, the huge smile on his face spoke volumes. The man loves this game.


Todd Marchant and Dustin Penner exchange pleasantries at the beginning of the second



Even the rookies got a chance to shine.


First-timer Erle Petrie lands one in behind goaltender Tom Spiers


Free agency signee Jack Newton, a defenseman that the Ducks acquired last year, also looked very promising. I believe he scored twice


A laser courtesy of Tyler Robertson




Team USA celebrating Robertson's goal


Selanne winding up...


... and chasing in the corners


I'm glad Marchant also got some love from the crowd




I tried to get in on Newton's game-worn jersey in the silent auction, but was outbid

Despite Team USA's substantial lead over Team Canada at one point, Canada rallied to bring things to a shootout.

Teemu always has tricks up his sleeve for a shootout. This one was no different. With speed, he approached Spiers, came to a halt and, as the goaltender lost sight of the puck and spun around, snuck it slowly behind his back through the paint and into the goal.


Another Teemu classic

The crowd erupted, of course.

The final Team USA shooter sealed the deal, and Team USA would win it!


The ceremonial postgame handshake


Everyone assembled for the group photo...


... and then individual photos with Teemu, who gladly obliged them all

I'm not going to ponder about Teemu's pending retirement decision. We'll all know soon enough. But if the Fedorin is any indication, I'd say stopping now looks like the last thing he wants to do.

Next up, the Ducks will open training camp on September 17th. Get ready, hockey fans!