Ryan Getzlaf becomes Anaheim Ducks’ franchise scoring leader

FLASHBACK

It was just a few months ago that there was a question of if this moment would ever come. Prior to the 2021-2022 season, Ryan Getzlaf sat six points behind Teemu Selanne for the Ducks franchise scoring record with 982 points. When free agency opened this summer, there were some rumblings that the future Hall of Famer was entertaining offers from other clubs. Did he want to chase another Cup? Was he just trying to squeeze more value out of the Ducks? Then it was reported by Kevin Weekes that Getzlaf was re-signing in Anaheim. The drama then unfolded later in the day when it broke that the contract was not finalized and that other teams were still making offers. Nervous moments for Duck fans, who wanted to see Getlzaf remain a Duck for his entire career. A sigh of relief came when he did in fact re-sign a one-year deal on July 28th. The countdown was on. It wasn’t a matter of if, but a matter of when the monumental moment would take place.

THE MOMENT

Ryan Getzlaf, captain of the Anaheim Ducks, set the franchise record for all-time points on Sunday October 31st, 2021 with his 989th point, and he did it in Ryan Getzlaf fashion. The game was tied at two midway through the third period when Cam Fowler took his time behind his own net. He spotted Ryan Getzlaf open by the Montreal bench and fired a stretch pass up the ice. Getzlaf simply redirected the puck to the middle with a no-look pass that found a streaking Troy Terry who wasted no time and put the puck in the back of the net. The crowd erupted. Troy Terry turned and pointed at the Anaheim captain. The Ducks bench emptied. Just one game after tying Anaheim Ducks legend Teemu Selanne, Getzlaf became the leader in points. His family was in attendance to support him, they were thrilled for him. Oh, and that goal turned out to be the game-winning goal.

HIS CAREER

Ryan Getzlaf was drafted 19th overall in 2003 by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in what would become one of the deepest drafts in NHL history. He would eventually make the roster in the 2005-2006 season, scoring his first point on October 14th, 2005 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He would go on to be a key player in the Ducks’ 2007 playoff run which ultimately ended with the Ducks and Ryan Getzlaf hoisting the Stanley Cup. Getzlaf also went on to win seven international play medals that included five golds and two silvers.

OTHER RECORDS/HONORS

Some other notable franchise records Getzlaf holds: most assists in a single season (66- in 2008-09), consecutive games with an assist (10- in 2009-10, tied with Corey Perry), and most assists in a single game (5- in 2008-09, tied with Dmitri Mironov and Teemu Selanne). Getzlaf is also three time NHL All-Star (2008, 2009, 2015). It will not be long before we see the next milestone reached, as he now only needs 11 points for 1000 career points, a feat that has never been reached all in a Ducks uniform.