Kilger Will Become Center of Attention Today for Ducks

The Mighty Ducks aren’t hesitating to give first-round draft pick Chad Kilger his first taste of the NHL, putting him in the lineup for their opening exhibition game today against the Dallas Stars in Reunion Arena.

“We want to get him as many games as possible to see if he’s ready,” Coach Ron Wilson said. “He’s got to get a feel for this level. It’s much quicker. If we only play him four or five games, he’s missing four or five games when he could be gaining some experience.”

Kilger, who is trying to make the Ducks as an 18-year-old, will center Paul Kariya and Todd Krygier.

“I’ll get a chance to see what it’s all about, see what I can do and wear a real jersey,” said Kilger, the fourth pick overall in July.

The Stars’ Mike Modano, largely recovered from last season’s ankle surgery, is scheduled to play.

Among the Duck players who did not make the trip but will play in exhibitions at The Pond of Anaheim next week are goaltender Guy Hebert and defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky. Minor injuries were likely to keep defenseman Jason York and right wing Steven King from playing, with defenseman Milos Holan and right wing John Lilley available to replace them.

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Might Duck Notes

The team reduced its training camp roster by five to 52 Saturday. Center Antti Aalto was returned to his team in Finland, TPS Turku. Three players were returned to their junior teams in the Canadian Hockey League: defenseman Byron Briske (Red Deer Rebels), right wing Mike Leclerc (Brandon Wheat Kings) and right wing Brian Wesenberg (Guelph Storm). Tryout goaltender Mark Richards was released.