Advertisement

The Net’s Full of Potential Backups

Share
Times Staff Writer

Five other goaltenders remained in training camp Wednesday, but none of them figure to unseat Jean-Sebastien Giguere as the Mighty Ducks’ chief netminder. A battle may loom to decide his backup.

Ilya Bryzgalov figures to be in the lead, having been in the Ducks’ system for four years and making a one-game audition during the 2003-04 season. Steve Shields was brought in as a tryout, but the onetime Duck and nine-year veteran could get a long look in the preseason.

Shields, who backed up Giguere in 2001-02, said there was interest from a number of teams, but the 33-year-old thought the Ducks presented the best chance at competing for a roster spot.

Advertisement

“I knew that I would have to wait for an opportunity somewhere to come back in and reestablish myself,” Shields said. “It’s just a matter of finding that opportunity, whether here or somewhere else.”

Bryzgalov said he gained more experience while playing for the Ducks’ former minor league affiliate in Cincinnati during the lockout, going 17-13-1 with a 2.60 goals-against average. In his lone NHL start in 2003-04, he stopped 26 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

“I never think about being the second goalie,” Bryzgalov said. “I always try to fight” for the No. 1 spot.

Coach Randy Carlyle said he hasn’t decided how he will parcel out playing time in the net during the preseason.

“It just so happens that there’s only two positions in goal and we’ve got [five] goalies here,” he said. “We pretty much can say that Jiggy’s got one of them.”

*

Bobby Ryan, the Ducks’ first-round pick in this year’s draft, has been the only player not on the ice in camp. He is rehabilitating a left shoulder he injured during the World Junior Championship camp last month.

Advertisement

“I’m going to try to ease my way back in,” Ryan said.

*

Defenseman Brett Festerling signed a three-year, entry-level contract. Festerling, 19, will return to junior hockey this season.... The Ducks trimmed their roster from 60 players to 49 by sending two to juniors, three to their minor league affiliate in Portland, Maine, and releasing six who were tryouts.... Forward Pierre Parenteau injured his right arm during Wednesday’s scrimmage and did not return.

Advertisement