Hebert’s Exit Ends an Era for Ducks

There would be no final cheers for Guy Hebert from thousands of fans Wednesday at the Arrowhead Pond. No final salute to the crowd with his stick raised high in thanks. Certainly no parade at Disneyland.

Hebert arrived at the Pond about noon as the newest member of the New York Rangers. He had only a few minutes to collect his gear, shake a few hands and say a bittersweet goodbye to the franchise he helped start.

“It certainly didn’t end the way I envisioned it,” the veteran goaltender said after the Rangers claimed him off waivers. “I wanted to go out on my own terms here. I wanted to retire here.”

Hebert was the last of the original Ducks. He was in goal for the inaugural game, a 7-2 thumping administered by the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 8, 1993. Players came and went, but until General Manager Pierre Gauthier put Hebert on waivers Monday, the man in the mask was always the same.

Hebert played 441 games for the Ducks, more than any other player. He won 173 games, lost 202 and tied 52. He had 27 shutouts.

Like right wing Teemu Selanne, who was traded Monday to the San Jose Sharks, Hebert carved out a special spot in the hearts of teammates and fans.

The Ducks knew Hebert as “Guybo.”

When Guy Charron was hired as an assistant coach last summer and later promoted to head coach when Craig Hartsburg was fired in December, Charron quickly became known as “Duke.” There was only one Guy on this team.

Hebert was easily the fans’ favorite. Early in the inaugural 1993-94 season, crowds at the Pond began bellowing, “Guuuuyyyy,” after Hebert saved the game with another superb stop.

But last season, Hebert began to falter. He gave up too many “soft” goals, giving Gauthier cause for concern.

This season, after going 0-10-2 in 12 starts during a stretch between Dec. 20 and Feb. 9, Charron named Jean-Sebastien Giguere the team’s starting goalie for the rest of the season. Monday, Hebert went on nonroster waivers.

“It’s a sad day,” said Hebert, who did not wish to speak to reporters Monday or Tuesday. “It’s emotional. It’s tough to see some of the guys here today. You always have to be prepared for it. I figured this season would come to a conclusion and we would talk about things over the summer.”

In recent weeks, Hebert, 34, seemed to be enjoying his role as Giguere’s backup. “He was a great guy to play with,” Giguere said of Hebert. “He always gave me tips about other teams and other rinks. I’m glad I got to play with him. I learned a lot from working with him. He’s so relaxed in net.

“It’s a sad day for the team. It can seem kind of unfair. It’s a tough business, obviously. I’m glad he has a new chance with the Rangers.”

Left wing Paul Kariya, who was drafted in 1993 but did not play until the 1994-95 season, becomes the Duck with the longest tenure in Anaheim.

“It’s a tough situation, obviously, for Guy,” Kariya said. “Monday was a tough day for everyone.”

By Wednesday, Hebert, whose contract was picked up by the Rangers, flashed his customary megawatt smile again. If he had any bitterness, he wasn’t about to reveal it to reporters. Hebert said he was excited to be heading to New York. His sister lives in Manhattan and his parents reside in Troy, N.Y.

“I have a lot of great memories,” he said of his seasons in Anaheim. What stands out most of all, he said, was the team’s first game: “I got stuck in traffic and had to park in the lot next to the Pond. People had been here all day. There was so much excitement. I got here at 5:30 and people were out tailgating and having such great times.”

A very close second on Hebert’s all-time list was his Game 7 shutout of the Phoenix Coyotes in the 1997 playoffs.

“That wasn’t too bad, either,” he said with a chuckle.

However, Hebert did express concern over the franchise’s future.

“It’s frustrating to see what’s happened,” Hebert said. “To go from sellouts almost every night to this. But I’m not going to leave with any parting shots to the organization. It’s going to take some fixing. But I’m no longer going to play a part in it.”