Physical Russian Impresses Selanne

Leave it to Teemu Selanne to put a veteran’s spin on the Ducks’ 4-2 exhibition victory Sunday over Colorado at the Arrowhead Pond.

“Just another typical exhibition game,” said Selanne, who had two assists as the Ducks improved to 1-0-1.

There were plenty of penalties, fights and ragged play to excite and dismay an announced crowd of 11,804. But there also was one eye-catching performance from a young player with a bright future.

Defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski lived up to his billing as a hard-nosed player willing to mix it up with tough guys and superstars alike. The 19-year-old Russian certainly impressed Selanne during his NHL debut.

“I had heard he plays like [former Detroit defenseman Vladimir] Konstantinov,” Selanne said. “He’s a gritty player. And that’s what we need--somebody to take a beating and give a beating.”

Vishnevski, selected fifth overall in the 1998 draft, had several run-ins with Colorado tough guy Jeff Odgers. But he wasn’t particular when it came to throwing his weight around.

“The other team didn’t like him tonight,” Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg said. “But that’s the way he plays every night. Every chance he had to rap somebody, he did. I think our fans are going to love him. Other teams are going to hate him.”

The Ducks haven’t said where Vishnevski will play this season, but it’s likely he will start off with Cincinnati of the American Hockey League.

“Right now, the language barrier is a huge problem for him,” Hartsburg said. “He’s playing on instincts. We are not going to rush him.”

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Center Steve Rucchin, who scored twice, left wing Ted Donato and defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky had the Ducks’ goals. Odgers and Milan Hejduk scored for Colorado (0-2).