Giguere Is Uncertain About Role in Return

The Ducks welcomed back goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, but wouldn’t say if he will get more action than his predecessor, Dominic Roussel. When Giguere was recalled Sunday, Roussel was assigned to Cincinnati of the American Hockey League.

Neither Giguere nor Guy Hebert, the Ducks’ No. 1 goalie, has been told his role has changed. But it isn’t far-fetched to assume Giguere, 23, will play more than the veteran Roussel did for the Ducks. Roussel was 2-5-2 in 13 appearances.

“I don’t try to analyze these things,” Hebert said. “I’m sure we’re starting to groom somebody new to take my place. I can’t play forever. I can’t play for the whole time the Mighty Ducks are in existence.”

Hebert, who turned 34 Sunday, is signed to play through the end of next season. But his future with the team beyond that is uncertain. After a subpar 1999-2000 season, he has a 12-16-4 record with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage.

Giguere was 12-7-2 in 23 games for Cincinnati. He also lost two starts earlier this season for the Ducks.

“Certainly, having Jiggy here is a motivating factor for me,” Hebert said of Giguere. “For me, it’s certainly not a negative. Plus, he’s a great kid. He works hard. You want to help him get better. If I was 25 and he was 23, I might not let him know all my secrets.”

Hebert then broke into a wide grin.

*

Left wing Mike Leclerc did not practice Monday, isn’t expected to do so today and probably won’t play Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues. Leclerc tried to skate Monday, but cut his workout short. He has been sidelined since suffering an injury to his right knee in the Ducks’ 2-2 tie Dec. 28 against the Nashville Predators. X-rays and MRI exams were negative.