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DUCKS: A HUGE CHANGE GM DEFENDS SELANNE TRADE.


Byline: Frank Welch
For the American military officer, see Frank A. Welch.


Frank Welch (1835 – 1878) was a Nebraska Republican politician.

He was born at Bunker Hill, Charlestown, Massachusetts on February 10, 1835 and moved to Boston in with his parents.
  Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Paul Kariya Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya (born October 16, 1974 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), is a professional ice hockey player who plays for the St. Louis Blues. Personal life  and Teemu Selanne.

They were the heart and soul of the Mighty Ducks
For other uses, see The Mighty Ducks (disambiguation).


Mighty Ducks is a half-hour Disney animated series aired on ABC and The Disney Afternoon in the fall of 1996. Twenty-six episodes total were produced.
, the cornerstone of a franchise loathed by some, loved by others.

Three months ago, Anaheim general manager Pierre Gauthier Pierre Gauthier is an ice hockey administrator in the National Hockey League.

Gauthier started out in the NHL working for the Quebec Nordiques in various scouting roles from 1981 to 1993.
 said he wasn't going to fire the coach or trade any of the team's marquee players. On Dec. 14, he fired coach Craig Hartsburg Craig Hartsburg (born June 29, 1959 in Stratford, Ontario, Canada) is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played ten seasons with the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League from 1979-80 until 1988-89. .

On Monday, eight days before the National Hockey League's trading deadline, Gauthier pulled the trigger again. And his shot will likely feel like a direct hit to the heart for many Ducks fans.

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim traded Selanne, the team's most popular player and a seven-time All-Star, to the San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).  for left wing Jeff Friesen Jeff Friesen (born Jeff Daryl Friesen on August 5, 1976 in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a professional hockey player, who is currently an unrestricted free agent. Playing career , goalie Steve Shields Steve Shields could refer to any of the following people:
  • Steve Shields (hockey player), National Hockey League goaltender
  • Steve Shields (baseball), retired American baseball player
 and a conditional draft pick.

``I have spent all my years in the NHL NHL Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, see there  with teams where the biggest goal was making the playoffs first,'' Selanne said. ``This is a different situation. Now I am with a team that is winning and that can go a long way in the playoffs.

``I'm excited to go to a team that really wants to pay the price to be a winner. Maybe this is one of those things I needed.''

The trade thus severs the professional ties between Kariya and Selanne. The two were united on Feb. 7, 1996, when Selanne came to Anaheim via trade from the Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They played in both the World Hockey Association (WHA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1972 to 1996.  (now Phoenix Coyotes).

``It's been a tough day,'' Kariya said. ``I didn't think anything was going to happen. Obviously, I am disappointed. He's a great friend and a great teammate.''

Cynics Cynics (sĭn`ĭks) [Gr.,=doglike, probably from their manners and their meeting place, the Cynosarges, an academy for Athenian youths], ancient school of philosophy founded c.440 B.C. by Antisthenes, a disciple of Socrates.  could easily have a field day with the trade for a number of reasons. On the surface, it appears the Ducks traded an elite scorer for a young, yet somewhat-declining forward and a backup goalie.

Selanne, 30, is in the prime years of his career. His numbers (26 goals and 59 points in 61 games) are slightly down this season. However, he has been plagued by nagging hamstring and knee injuries (both minor). And he has sorely missed both center Steve Rucchin and Kariya, who each missed significant time due to injuries.

``He is an elite player,'' San Jose general manager Dean Lombardi said of Selanne. ``This is a big step for our organization.''

What the Ducks get in return is a player in Friesen whose numbers are down this season. Friesen, 24, has 12 goals and 36 points in 64 games this season. He had 26 goals and 61 points last season in 82 games.

Shields, 28, lost his starting job this season to standout rookie Evengi Nabokov and he has not been happy about playing second fiddle in San Jose.

However, Gauthier stuck to his guns and spun the trade to appear positive for his struggling hockey club.

``I believe once the fans see these players on the ice, they are going to be very happy with our deal,'' Gauthier said. ``It's a huge change for the franchise.

``Friesen has his best years ahead of him and he's a great catch for us. The way for us to bring back the fans very quickly is by building a winning club. They will be more supportive as the team gets better. Immediate help was important to us in this deal.''

Selanne talked to reporters briefly before departing for Tampa, Fla. The Sharks play the Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning is a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida, USA. It is a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).  tonight and Selanne is expected to be with his new team, but a bruised left knee probably will keep him sidelined at least one game.

``I am very excited to go to a great organization with a good solid team and a chance to win,'' Selanne said. ``That was big for me.

``Of course, it's tough to leave everyone behind here (in Anaheim). I had great relations with the fans and players.''

Gauthier said his phone started ringing more and more regarding Selanne, who now finds himself with a team headed to the postseason.

``I was surprised he was available,'' Lombardi said.

``It got to the point where I had to listen,'' Gauthier added. ``The team needed a change and we have to look at what the team needed as it goes forward, not what it had in the past.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) SELANNE

(2) Eight days before the National Hockey League's trading deadline, the Ducks sent all-star Teemu Selanne to the San Jose Sharks.

Mark Terrill/Associated Press
COPYRIGHT 2001 Daily News
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2001, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Title Annotation:Sports
Publication:Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Date:Mar 6, 2001
Words:736
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