Teemu Selanne Will Return to Anaheim Next Season

[VodkaFish]

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks announced today that Teemu Selanne has elected to return to play for the club next season (2009-10). Selanne, already under contract for the 2009-10 campaign, informed Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray of his decision this morning.

“This is obviously great news for the Ducks,” said Murray. “Teemu is still playing at a high level, brings passion and energy to the locker room and is a loyal member of this franchise. It’s fantastic he’s chosen to continue his playing career.”

Selanne, 38 (7/3/70), is a veteran of 17 NHL seasons, 10 of which have been played with Anaheim. A 10-time NHL All-Star, Selanne is Anaheim’s all-time leader in goals (352), points (743), plus/minus (+114), power play goals (133), power play points (304), game-winning goals (59) and overtime goals (6). Since re-joining Anaheim after the lockout, Selanne has scored 127 goals over the last four seasons (127-134=261 points in 253 games). He won his first Stanley Cup in 2007. During the 2006-07 regular season, he finished third in the NHL in goals, while ranking first in the league in power play goals (25) and tied for first in game-winning goals (10).

“I’m very happy to play another season in Anaheim,” said Selanne. “The way we played toward the end of last season, I’m excited about our chances. We definitely have what it takes to win.”

In 2008-09, Selanne became the sixth European-born player to eclipse the 1,200-point mark in his career, finishing the regular season ranked 18th on the NHL’s all-time goals list, 41st in all-time scoring and 64th all-time in assists. He also became the Ducks’ franchise leader in assists (370, Nov. 7 vs. DAL) and games played (617, Jan. 31 at COL) in 2008-09. The Helsinki, Finland, native ranked fifth in the NHL in power-play goals during the regular season, despite missing 17 games with a leg injury.

In 1,132 career NHL games, Selanne has scored 579-633=1,212 points with 505 PIM and a +89 rating. The 6-0, 204-pound winger has averaged 34 goals per year over his 17 NHL seasons. He has twice been named a First-Team NHL All-Star (1993, 1997), twice named a Second-Team All-Star (1998, 1999) and was chosen to be a member of the NHL’s 1993 All-Rookie Team. Selanne won the 1999 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, given to the league’s top goal scorer, and was the 1993 Calder Memorial Trophy winner (league’s top rookie).

Selanne was drafted by Winnipeg in the first round (10th overall) of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. He was originally acquired by Anaheim from Winnipeg with Marc Chouinard and a fourth-round draft pick in the 1996 Entry Draft in exchange for Chad Kilger, Oleg Tverdovsky and a third-round pick in the 1996 draft on Feb. 7, 1996. On Mar. 5, 2001, Selanne was traded from Anaheim to San Jose for Jeff Friesen, Steve Shields and future considerations. Selanne signed as a free agent with Anaheim on Aug. 22, 2005 and has signed subsequent deals to remain a Duck ever since.

[SoCalForcer]

this is freakin awesome...getzlaf,perry,ryan,selanne and lupul with more moves to come...WOW!!!

[cobolt]

Good, always liked Teemu