Friesen Ready for ‘Weird’ Return

Jeff Friesen goes home Thursday night, wearing a Mighty Duck jersey.

For seven years, since he was a teenager, Friesen played for the San Jose Sharks. He more or less grew up there. Now he returns as the enemy, when the Ducks play the Sharks at the San Jose Arena.

This will be the first meeting of the teams since the March 5 trade that sent Teemu Selanne to San Jose for Friesen, goalie Steve Shields and a conditional draft pick.

“It’s going to be a pretty weird experience,” the 24-year-old Friesen said. “I got there when I was 18 and kind of grew with the team. So I was a hometown boy. One day, you get a call and you’re traded.”

Friesen scored 149 goals and led the Sharks in scoring twice.

Friesen has one goal and eight points in nine games with the Ducks. Selanne, who had knee surgery after the trade, has one point in five games with the Sharks.

“It’s definitely going to be a nerve-racking game,” Friesen said. “I want to try to relax and enjoy it. Hopefully, I can make the most of my opportunities.”

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Duck defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski practiced Tuesday and will probably play Thursday. He has missed three games because of a sprained left shoulder.

The Ducks, though, may be without right wing Jonas Ronnqvist, who sat out practice because of a strained abdominal muscle.