Meet the Team 2010

The theme for this season's "Meet the Team" event was Tuesday Fight Night.



It was advertised as an opportunity to challenge your favorite Ducks players to a game of wii boxing, with cocktails and dinner at the Bluewater Grill as the background. At first, I wasn't too sure about attending the event. I mean, the price tag wasn't small (but it went to charity), and if the theme was going to be videogames, how much time would you really get to talk to the players?

I was doubtful but in the end, I'm so glad I went!

As we entered, staffers for the Anaheim Ducks Foundation gave VIP guests special wristbands and asked us if we wanted to enter our names to challenge a Duck. I shrugged. Never played the game before, but hey, whatever. I wrote my name on a ticket, dropped it into the box, and forgot about it.




Special prizes and opportunities up for silent auction

There were elegant spreads of food set up inside the restaurant including an all-inclusive salad bar, seafood bar with oyster shooters and jumbo shrimp cocktail, and a drink bar with a listing of complementary spirits. Towards the back of the restaurant, a set up of four television screens with wii consoles was roped off within a makeshift boxing ring.


Ice girls pose for a group shot

The players clustered in the very rear of the restaurant, in a VIP area. Fans gathered here to talk to the players, take pictures, and get autographs. There was another television setup back here too, with a UFC game that the boys were challenging each other to.

I whipped out my camera and went to work.






Matt Beleskey, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan (who wasn't paying attention)


Troy Bodie and Kyle Chipchura trying to wrestle each other while Brendan Mikkleson, Ryan Carter, and Cam Fowler watch


Dan Sexton and Curtis McElhinney

After about an hour of mingling, Kent French started the night up with introductions and a brief rundown of how the night was going to go in regards to the wii boxing.


Frenchie explaining the rules


George Parros and UFC champ Tito Ortiz would start the festivities off with a one-on-one round


The match would end as a draw

The rest of the matches would be done tournament style, with various Duck players challenging guests whose names were being drawn from the box. Winners of each match in the first round would go one to challenge each other in the second round, and so on until an ultimate champion was crowned.

Four Ducks players (Bobby Ryan, Teemu Selanne, George Parros, and Ryan Getzlaf) would not fight until the third round, when matches against them would be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Winners of these rounds would play winners going into the fourth round.

I froze when I heard my name called, and I waited to hear which Duck player I'd be fighting. Luca Sbisa. I'd just spoken to Luca earlier that night, when I showed him his rookie card. I went up to the "ring" and got a crash course on how to use the wii controllers.


Luca: Hey, I thought you said you don't play.
Me: I don't. This will be my first time!


It was a valiant fight, but in the end, I took down Sbisa!


Dan Sexton's fists were a blur as he pummeled his opponent

I went to grab some food before the second round started. The players were talkative, it seems the game environment brought everyone out of their shells. Bobby told me he was going to be an auctioned fight even though he had no idea how to play the game; Lubomir Visnovksy explained that he wasn't a video game kind of guy, "If I have spare time, I want to go outside or do something not in front of the tv!"; and Curtis McElhinney agreed with me that he missed the days of two-button video game controllers.


My second round opponent was none other than Kyle Chipchura who, according to the guys, practices this game at home

He beat me. Afterwards, he explained what the stats on the finishing screen meant. He pointed out that I actually threw 120-something punches and landed more of them than he had on me, "but somehow I won anyway," he said. "My punches were probably just taps," I laughed.


Round 2 also matched up goalies Jonas Hiller and Curtis "2-button" McElhinney


Hiller trying to land some big hits, but inevitably losing to McElhinney

Next came the auctioned fights.


Bobby Ryan vs his highest bidder


George Parros vs his highest bidder


Ryan Getzlaf lost to his highest bidder...


... as did Teemu Selanne


Andy Sutton, who fought and won against Aaron Voros, had to be given a towel for breaking more than just a little sweat. "I'll never be able to wear these pants again," he remarked


Bobby Ryan vs Kyle Chipchura

In the end, Chipchura came up the ultimate champion. But I think everyone who attended this amazing event came up a winner. All of the guys looked like they had a great time. I can't speak for every guest, but it was definitely a unique way to hang out with your favorite Duck players. Kudos to the Anaheim Ducks Foundation for a smashing success!


At least I can say I lost to the champ!

Bobby Ryan OC Register Meet & Greet

This past Wednesday, winger/center/wherever-they-need-an-extra-guy Bobby Ryan treated a lucky group of OC Register Insiders and guests to a 30-minute Q&A and Meet & Greet session. If you didn't get to go, you can watch the interview below (provided courtesy of my other half, who went while I was at work).

Part 1:



Part 2:

Face-Off Fest 2010

Before the puck is dropped for the first NHL regular season game, season ticket holders gathered at the Ponda for the annual Face-Off Fest. There's free food to eat, games to play, locker room tours to take, discounted Ducks memorabilia to buy, Ponda ice to skate on and, what's probably the highlight for most fans, opportunities to meet and get autographs with the players.



I'm not a season ticket holder (maybe someday I'll be able to afford it!), but I have wonderful friends who were able to score a pair of tickets for me and my other half. By the way, no locker room tour for me this year, but if you're interested in pictures, I took some last year.

There were a few guys I was looking forward to talking with and getting autographs from. Both Danny Syvret and Brett Festerling were put on waivers that morning and would not be attending that evening's festivities. I wanted to be sure I got a chance to talk to Bobby Ryan, Saku Koivu, Curtis McElhinney, Luca Sbisa, and newcomer Andy Sutton. Maybe there would be enough time for Ryan Getzlaf too.



There's a strategy to standing in these lines. If I waited in Teemu Selanne's line, chances are I wouldn't be able to see anyone else. Selanne is almost always the most popular player every year, and especially this year, as it could be his last. We started off in Bobby's line and, considering how long it stayed throughout the entire event, I'm glad we got there early!


Brendan Mikkleson and Joffrey Lupul heading to their tent for autograph signing


Kyle Chipchura and Matt Beleskey signing autographs


Rookie Maxime Macenauer, who was showing some promise by the end of this season's training camp

I'm happy to hear that Maxime might be one of the first rookies called back up should there be a need for him on the roster during the regular season. If anything, the kid has good energy and grit.


Bobby Ryan and Maxime Macenauer

I had a few items to give Bobby, including a copy of a picture I'd taken of him stealing the puck from a fallen Corey Perry at training camp. He laughed as he took it, "That one will be going up in the locker room!"


Lubomir Visnovsky and Curtis McElhinney


Saku Koivu and fellow countryman Toni Lydman

This was probably the first time Ducks fans got a chance to see Lydman as he's been out of training camp with vision issues. The Ducks D could use a lot of work, and I'm sure I'm not the only one hoping Lydman turns out to be a valuable asset.


Ryan Getzlaf signing photographs


Troy Bodie and Andy Sutton

For a big bruiser of a guy, Sutton was incredibly gracious and sweet to the kids that came up to him for autographs. He beamed as I told him I felt it was fitting he'd wear #25 after Chris Pronger.

I got to see the players I was hoping to see and talk to some of my Ducks friends, many of which I haven't seen since last season. It's been a long summer! And, I picked up a Jiggy-signed puck for 10 bucks. Not bad!

Ducks vs San Jose Sharks, preseason

Thanks to last-minute tickets from my friend J, I was able to attend my Ducks first preseason game against the San Jose Chokes Sharks. (Sorry, just a little trash talk there!)



We could only watch the 2nd period and the first half of the 3rd, but we were treated to four Duck goals and enough line chemistry to leave happy!



Again, it's a preseason game, and we had big names on the ice. Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Jonas Hiller had a lot to do with the 5-2 win. Hiller stopped all 19 of the shots he faced in the first half of the game. Ex-Sharks prospect Timo Pielmeier also did well, finishing the game by stopping all but 2 of his 21 shots. I'm not sure if the Sharks were rookie-heavy on this game roster, but I did notice scorers Joe Thornton, Devin Setoguchi, and Torey Mitchell out there. So there wasn't a complete imbalance of talent!


Perry and Lilja battle along the boards as Antero Niittymaki watches.

I was very curious to see how Niittymaki would do in the Sharks net. Having let perennial goaltender Evgeni Nabokov go in the offseason, Sharks picked up Niittymaki and Anti Niemi. Impressive on paper, but not so much in the net, Niittymaki would let in 4 of the 12 shots he faced.


Parros, Getzlaf, and Perry wore the As that night.


Matt Beleskey and Corey Perry, two-thirds of an awesome scoring line.

I was so happy to see Beleskey on the top line again with Perry and Getzlaf. I loved this line combination last season, and really believe Beleskey should stay there. He has the grit and the drive to crowd the crease and battle for pucks in the corners--an effective compliment to the "twins."


How strange yet somewhat familiar, seeing #25 up there for the Ducks.

I had hoped to see more of Andy Sutton's performance on the ice, although I have to admit that seeing his #25 up on the penalty board made me smile.

Also curious about how Danny Syvret would do (I've liked his play so far in training camp), I was happy to see him combine good defense and a willingness to shoot the puck, even though his goal during the game fortuitously knocked in off the back of a Shark skate.


The boys congratulate Syvret on his first preseason Duck goal.


Getzlaf would go on to score off a Beleskey assist, 18 seconds after Syvret's goal.


Syvret giving Luca Sbisa a few d-man pointers.

Sbisa and 2010 draftee Cam Fowler both played in this game too, having also played in last night's contest against the Phoenix Coyotes. Fowler did well, keeping a calm presence much beyond his years. He got his second assist in as many games. I thought Sbisa was a bit soft, but maybe he was just tired?


Big Joe Thornton, sitting in the sin bin and thinking about what he'd done (clumsily tripping over Pielmeier in the crease and earning himself a goaltender interference call).

It will be interesting to see who makes it out of camp for a spot on the starting roster and who gets sent back down to the minors or juniors. After last season's slow start, I'm hoping we can put together a much better product right out of the gate. This was a great comeback game for our Ducks going into their preseason roadtrip. Yes, just a preseason game, but it sure does feel nice to win!

Ducks vs Phoenix Coyotes, preseason opener

What a sight for sore eyes! The Ponda!

There was a feeling of calm familiarity as I walked across the North Ponda Parking Lot. In the distance, an old friend. I was home!

I know I wasn't the only Duck fan anticipating the return to the Ponda for Wednesday night's preseason opener against the Phoenix Coyotes. The offseason was much too long for us, we were more than ready for our hockey fix, even if only a preseason game.

Preseason games aren't about winning and losing. They are an opportunity for rookies and new acquisitions to prove to their new teams that they belong on the opening night roster. Coaches get a chance to see the players in action, to try out different lines of forwards, different defense pairings, and to test what works and what doesn't. The preseason is also an opportunity for the players to get a feel for each other, to develop the chemistry and communication necessary to make them formidable competitors once the season actually starts and the games count.

Notables like Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu, and Jonas Hiller wouldn't be playing tonight, but would be stationed at various areas of the Ponda to mingle with fans. Personally, I love that they do this! It's so amusing to watch how ticket holders will order their pizzas and beers without even recognizing the young man behind the counter without his game jersey.

The diehard fans know who those nicely-dressed boys are and we made a point of taking advantage of their accessibility before the game.


Hiller signing autographs and selling Kids Club kits.


Troy Bodie serving chicken.


Fan: Hey, can we get sushi here?
Brookbank: Aw man, I don't even remember how to make my roll!


Corey Perry behind the Oggi's pizza counter.


Ryan Getzlaf sold us a pepsi and a pretzel. I also congratulated him on his recent nuptials.


Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu signing autographs at the fan relations desk.

The game itself wasn't a good one for the Ducks overall. Granted, we had a lot of our less-seasoned players on the ice, I think the coaches learned a good deal about what works and what doesn't. Bobby Ryan was the lone scorer (on the power play), looking comfortable in his new position as center. I saw Bobby set up a number of plays, trying to feed the puck to wingers near the net. Unfortunately, none of them were able to convert.


I miss Andrew Ebbett. He's a Yote now, and scored a goal against his former team. Mixed feelings there.

Our defense didn't seem to have a lot going for them either. They allowed way too much space between themselves and the oncoming Yote forwards, and paid the price. I felt they were also much too soft with how they held up the blue line. Of course then, the Coyotes had some of their best forwards out there, so that didn't help matters.

It looked a lot like the guys were playing too individually, not focusing on how to work together as a team. They were trying too hard to be the guy that wins the day, and in the end, the Ducks appeared sloppy and disjointed.

The Coyotes, on the other hand, played a more cooperative, seamless game. Being my boyfriend team, I also enjoyed seeing my Yotes back on the ice. Scottie Upshall hasn't laced up since the middle of last season, after going out with ACL/MCL injuries. I think I can safely say the knee isn't much of an issue now. It was also nice seeing Paul Bissonette, Petr Prucha, and Sami Lepisto again.

Keep in mind, it's a preseason game so winning and losing don't mean much. Even so, I'll be looking forward to tomorrow night's game, when our Ducks will have more seasoned guys like Getzlaf and Perry (and Hiller in net) to help out our rookies.

Heck, I'm just happy to see my boys back on the ice!