Perfect Attendance for Rucchin

As Mighty Duck center Steve Rucchin left the dressing room after Friday’s morning skate, he extended both arms, pretending to drive a car.

“Both hands on the wheel all the way home,” Rucchin said, smiling.

One could hardly blame him, for the comment or the smile.

Rucchin played in all 82 games for the Ducks this season, a significant accomplishment after missing 110 of 164 the last two seasons because of injuries -- a broken nose, broken cheek bone and concussion after being hit by a puck in 2000-01 and a fractured ankle in 2001-02.

“It’s nice to have this season behind me,” Rucchin said. “In the back of my mind I kept wondering if something else was going to happen. So it’s been a silver lining to play all 82. What has made it even better is every game has meant something. It’s a lot better than coming back from an injury and just playing for next year.”

That Rucchin stayed healthy was a big boost to the Ducks’ making the playoffs. He has 20 goals and 58 points, his highest totals since the last time the Ducks made the playoffs. He is also the team’s top defensive center.

“We knew going in what a difference Rooch would make,” General Manager Bryan Murray said. “He’s a big body with offensive skills. Rooch is a better player than some people around the league give him credit for.”