Rucchin Struggles Through Painful Season

The giddy heights Steve Rucchin reached last season have been balanced out by the disappointment he feels about the Mighty Ducks’ woeful performance this season.

“I don’t remember any year in my career being this tough,” said Rucchin, who has scored 20 goals while playing in every game for the second consecutive season.

“We never reached our potential [as a team]. There is so much promise in this locker room, but [we] never played the way we’re capable. It’s not easy to deal with, and it’s going to be tough with the playoffs going on.”

Still, for his night-in and night-out effort, Rucchin was nominated by the Anaheim chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Assn. for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Rucchin caught the eye of the hockey world with his play in helping the Ducks reach the Stanley Cup finals last season. His work this season has suffered because of knee, elbow and finger injuries.

He needed arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in late August and sat out the first three weeks of training camp. The knee has not been the same since. He suffered a broken finger in the season’s second game and then injured his elbow.

“It’s unfortunate for Rooch that we weren’t able to clear up the knee problem before the beginning of the season,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “Then he got into the year, so he had to battle through not having his legs the way he wanted them.”

Rucchin said that his knee needed rest, not another surgery. He turned down a chance to play for Canada in the World Championships this month, opting for rest.

“It’s been the worst year of my career, in terms of all-around play,” Rucchin said. “I’m not happy about it, and it’s pretty tough to deal with on a daily basis.”

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Duck goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere said he would play for Team Canada in the World Championships, which begin April 24 in Prague, Czech Republic.

“I’m looking forward to a new beginning,” said Giguere, who played for Canada in the World Championships two years ago. “I can get reenergized....

“I’m hoping to put this season behind me. I hope to go there and know what I’m playing hockey for again. There, you don’t play for the money, you play for the challenge and honor of your country.”

Giguere said part of the cleansing process might include seeing a sports psychologist in Toronto this summer

“I want to make sure when I come back next year that my mental game is at its best,” Giguere said.

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The Ducks will send forward Stanislav Chistov to minor league Cincinnati after Sunday’s game with Calgary so he can play in the American Hockey League playoffs.... The Ducks didn’t make the playoffs, but their coach did. Babcock will be a studio analyst for TSN for the first round of the playoffs before going to Prague to be an assistant coach for Team Canada.