Anaheim Retires a Legend’s Number
On Jan. 12 at Honda Center in Anaheim, a very special ceremony took place. The Anaheim Ducks officially retired Teemu Selanne’s number 8 in front of a sellout crowd. Selanne was a part of the Anaheim franchise for the majority of his 24 years in the league and even helped them win a Stanley Cup in 2007.
What was fitting is that the ceremony took place before a game between Selanne’s two now former teams: the Ducks and the Winnipeg Jets. He started his NHL career with the Jets and it was only appropriate that he end it with them as a part of the festivities too. After a moving ceremony that included Selanne’s family and former teammates, a banner was raised with Selanne’s name and number on it. He became the first player in Ducks history to have his number retired by the team.
After the ceremony, both teams surprised the fans with a nice treat by wearing Selanne’s different jerseys he wore in his career for the pregame warmups. The actual game was nothing short of a treat too. Anaheim tied the game late in the third period after being down by two goals and eventually went on to win in a shootout.
Sunday night was a memorable night for a lot of people but it will be especially memorable for the man of honor: Teemu Selanne. A great career came to a great end.
Check out a link to NHL.com to see Selanne’s retirement speech here.
