Mighty Ducks ‘95-’96 : Player Profiles

Patrik Carnback #21

Age: 27

Left wing

Shoots: L

Stepped offensive production in his second NHL season, scoring six goals with 15 assists. Steady but unspectacular performer, who was normally teamed with more defensive-minded players. Played in 41 of 48 games, spending most of the season playing on the third and fourth lines.

Bob Corkum #19

Age: 27

Center

Shoots: R

The Ducks’ all-time leading scorer with 33 goals and 37 assists in 120 career games. Grinding-type player, whose production fell off after leading the team with 23 goals in 1993-94. Eighth-leading scorer with 10 goals and nine assists last season. Key figure to franchise’s future success.

Robert Dirk #5

Age: 29

Defenseman

Shoots: L

Strong, dependable, veteran stay-at-home defenseman, who did his part to shore up often shaky defense last season. Difficult to label an enforcer, but was third on the Ducks with 56 penalty minutes last season. Picked up franchise’s first instigator penalty. Played 350th NHL game last March 30.

Bobby Dollas #2

Age: 30

Defenseman

Shoots: L

Turned in second consecutive standout season, emerging as the Ducks’ most versatile defenseman. A defensive stalwart, he was also the team’s top-scoring defenseman last season with seven goals and 13 assists. Had a career-high seven-game point streak from March 9-23.

Peter Douris #16

Age: 29

Right wing

Shoots: R

Reliable but far from flashy. The Ducks counted on him when others fell short of offensive expectation. Scored 10 goals, third-most on the team, and played in 46 of 48 games. Also had 11 assists, finishing fifth on the team in scoring. Recorded 100th NHL point during April 5 game against Edmonton.

Todd Ewen #36

Age: 29

Right wing

Shoots: R

Role of enforcer fell squarely on his shoulders after Stu Grimson was traded to Detroit last season. Played only 24 of 48 games last season and did not score for the first time in his nine-year NHL career. Still compiled 90 penalty minutes, second-highest on the team.

Guy Hebert #31

Age: 28

Goalie

Catches: L

The Ducks’ history would be filled with far fewer victories if not for Hebert’s fine play in goal. Made 30 or more saves in 14 of 39 games and stopped 43 of 44 shots (both career highs) in a loss against Edmonton. He was 12-20-4 with a 3.13 goals-against average and two shutouts last season.

Milos Holan #7

Age: 24

Defenseman

Shoots: L

A sniper who doesn’t hesitate to shoot, he should be one of the point men on the struggling power play. Added versatility and stability to often-flawed defense after March 8 trade that sent Anatoli Semenov to Philadelphia. Scored two goals with eight assists in 25 games.

Paul Kariya #9

Age: 20

Left wing

Shoots: L

Easily the Ducks’ most creative offensive player. Scored team-leading 18 goals with 21 assists in his rookie season and finished in final three for Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. Should look better with more skillful linemates to pass to. Defense needed work: He had a plus-minus of minus-17.

David Karpa #17

Age: 24

Defenseman

Shoots: R

To play against him is to loathe him. His role is pest and instigator, and he does a fine job judging by the number of opponents who want to slug him. Injured right wrist limited fighting. Led the Ducks with 91 penalty minutes in only 26 games after he was acquired from Quebec on March 8.

Valeri Karpov #11

Age: 24

Right wing

Shoots: L

Ducks hope he has recovered his confidence and finishing ability after disappointing rookie season. Showed early promise last year but faltered after lockout. Played only 30 of 48 games, and was sent to minor league San Diego in the IHL for five. Scored four goals and 11 assists for Ducks.

Chad Kilger #8

Age: 18

Center

Shoots: Left

The No. 4 overall pick in the 1995 draft. Poised to make an impact as a rookie, and expected to be a cornerstone of the future, along with Paul Kariya and Oleg Tverdovsky. Has outstanding size and skating ability. Was Ducks’ second-leading scorer during the exhibition season.

Todd Krygier #25

Age: 29

Left wing

Shoots: L

The steal of the season. The Ducks sent Washington a fourth-round pick in the 1996 draft in exchange for Krygier Feb. 2. He made quite an impact, scoring 11 goals with 11 assist in 35 games for the Ducks. Tough, consistent, versatile--just what the Ducks need in their lineup.

Randy Ladouceur #29

Age: 35

Defenseman

Shoots: L

The Duck captain and elder statesman. This is his 13th NHL season. Durable veteran who missed only four of 48 games last season. Provides example for young defenseman like Milos Holan and Oleg Tverdovsky to follow. Scored two goals and had a plus-minus rating of plus-two last season.

Denny Lambert #42

Age: 25

Left wing

Shoots: L

Carried the tag of heavyweight during minor-league career, but last season added scoring skills to his game. Won job with Ducks after April call-up. His 277 games with San Diego in IHL were a franchise record. Had 222 penalty minutes in 75 games with Gulls last season, but also had 60 points.

Oleg Mikulchik #44

Age: 31

Defenseman

Shoots: R

Steady stay-at-home defenseman earned spot as an extra defenseman during training camp after signing as a free agent. Played eight seasons for Dynamo Moscow before coming to North America, where he was a plus-10 in 25 games with the Winnipeg Jets last season.

Steve Rucchin #20

Age: 24

Center

Shoots: L

Made a successful leap from college obscurity at Western Ontario to the NHL and ranked as the biggest surprise of the season for the Ducks. Scored six goals with 11 assists in 43 games after scoring 11 goals with 15 assists at San Diego of the IHL while waiting for the lockout to end.

Joe Sacco #14

Age: 26

Right wing

Shoots: L

One of the Ducks’ fastest skaters, but proved to be something of an offensive disappointment last season. Had only 18 points, including 10 goals, falling a bit short of expectations. Ducks hope he scores more often this season, easing burden on youngsters Paul Kariya and Valeri Karpov.

Mikhail Shtalenkov #35

Age: 29

Goalie

Catches: L

Guy Hebert’s backup. Appeared in 18 games last season and was 4-7-1 with a 3.63 goals-against average. Stopped a career-high 39 of 40 shots in 6-1 victory over Toronto on May 3. Played six seasons with Moscow Dynamo before coming to North America in 1992.

Mike Sillinger #26

Age: 24

Center

Shoots: R

Former Red Wings’ first-round pick was acquired in the deal that sent popular tough guy Stu Grimson to Detroit. Was stuck behind some of NHL’s premier centers with Red Wings, but Ducks hope he adds much-needed scoring punch, particularly on the dreadful power play.

Oleg Tverdovsky #10

Age: 19

Defenseman

Shoots: L

Showed tremendous potential in rookie season, but also showed he needs improvement. Ducks know they must be patient to see desired results. Highlights included three goals and nine assists in 36 games. Lowlights included being a bit too offensive-minded at times. He’s a quick learner, however.

Garry Valk #18

Age: 27

Left wing

Shoots: L

Slowed by a sprained left knee at the beginning of the season and never recaptured the effectiveness of 1993-94. Had only three goals and six assists in 36 games. Coaching staff was expecting much more. Needs to show the reliable, hard-working side he displayed in first season with the Ducks.

Shaun Van Allen #22

Age: 28

Center

Shoots: L

Had most productive NHL season with eight goals and 21 assists, but didn’t slack off in role as Ducks’ resident pest. Always quick with a put-down for an opponent, he began living up to minor-league reputation as a standout assist-maker. Had 84 assists for Cape Breton of AHL in 1991-92.

Jason York #3

Age: 25

Defenseman

Shoots: R

Came to the Ducks in a midseason trade with Detroit and immediately helped shore up unreliable defense. Couldn’t crack Red Wing lineup, but the Ducks put him to good use. Had eight assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-four in 15 games for the Ducks. Played 19 NHL games before trade.