Selanne played 21 NHL seasons, with 15 of those being in Ahaheim. He began his career with the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93 in spectacular style, setting the NHL record for Most Goals by a Rookie with 76. He remains one of only eight men to score 70 in a season and it remains the fifth highest by a player in a single season and the only 70 goal season by a rookie.
Selanne was dealt by a financially distressed Jets team to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim midway through the 1995-96 season and formed a memorable duo with linemate Paul Kariya for years.
He would play six seasons with the Mighty Ducks and would wear five different jersey styles for the club.
The first two jerseys were the Mighty Ducks original home and away jerseys, which broke new ground as the first jerseys in league history to feature a bold diagonal waist stripe when they debuted for the 1993-94 season. The infuence was immediate, as both the St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames would follow suit the following season. They also added new, radical colors to the NHL palette, those being eggplant and jade.
The Mighty Ducks 1993-2003 home jersey,
this particular one manufactured by Nike
The Mighty Ducks 1993-2003 eggplant colored road jersey
In addition to the Mighty Ducks standard home and away jerseys, Selanne had the misfortune to arrive in Anaheim the season they club debuted their first alternate jersey, the absurd "Wild Wing" jersey which featured their team mascot as a super hero breaking through the ice, made possible by the first use of dye-sublimation technology, which now allowed designs to be printed onto the jerseys, rather than being limited to just sewing pieces of fabric together to create limited striping patterns.
The jerseys were so poorly received by the players that they were only worn six times and the players even went so far to request that they not be pictured wearing them in the following season's media guide!
The Mighty Ducks short lived "Wild Wing" alternate of 1995-96
After the failure of the Wild Wing alternate in 1996, the Mighty Ducks would try again in 1997-98 when they would introduce not one, but two new alternate jerseys. The pair would share the same template. The first was a somewhat unnecessary white alternate, but the "fourth" jersey was jade with eggplant running down the arms, which complimented the home white and road eggplant jerseys well enough.
The white third jersey arrived first, having been worn during the
season opening Game ONe Japan event in Tokyo
The jade alternate was the first fourth jersey in league
history and was used for just two seasons
history and was used for just two seasons
During Selanne's first six years with the Mighty Ducks he would put together back-to-back 50 goal seasons with 51 in 1996-97 and 52 in 1997-98. Thanks to his 58 assists in 1996-97, Selanne would also have the highest scoring season with Anaheim with 109 points. After his 52 goal season in 1998, he followed that with a 47 goal, 107 point season in 1998-99 which earned him the inaugural Rocket Richard Trophy as the leading goal scorer in the NHL. He would lead the Mighty Ducks in scoring in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Selanne would also appear in seven NHL All-Star Games during his first tour of duty with the Mighty Ducks. This would lead to a unique jersey variation, as Selanne would participate in the 1997 All-Star Super Skills Competition with the flag of Finland on his jersey for the one and only time to denote his nationality as part of the first World vs. North America All-Star Game format to promote the participation of NHL players in the upcoming 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
Selanne wore the Finland flag on his jersey during the 1997 Super Skills
Competition at the 1997 NHL All-Star Game for the one and only time
Competition at the 1997 NHL All-Star Game for the one and only time
Other than the Game ONe 1997 patch worn on the eggplant jerseys on October 3, 1997 and the new white third jersey on October 4, 1997, the only other patch worn by Selanne during the first phase of his Anaheim career was the eggplant version of the NHL 2000 patch during the 1999-00 NHL season on the Mighty Ducks home white, road eggplant and white alternate jerseys, as the jade alternate was discontinued after the 1998-99 season.
During the 2000-01 season, Selanne was the Mighty Ducks leading scorer, but with the team in last place, they chose to trade Selanne to the San Jose Sharks. After two and a half seasons in San Jose, he signed a one year contract, along with former Anaheim linemate Kariya, with the Colorado Avalanche. With the NHL season cancelled in 2004-05, Selanne chose to rest and allow his body to heal rather than play in Europe like many other NHLers chose to.
Again a free agent, Selanne chose to return to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for the 2005-06 season. Unlike other older veteran players who did not play during 2004-05 and were never the same again, the year off rejuvenated Selanne, who rebounded from a dismal 15 goal season in Colorado to post a 40 goal season in 2005-06. His strong performance upon his return to the NHL was recognized by Selanne being named the 2006 recipient of the Masterton Trophy for dedication and perseverance to hockey.
His 40 goal season was followed by a 48 goal, 94 point 2006-07 season, easily the best of his second stint in Anaheim, which was capped off by a triumphant Stanley Cup championship, which caused many to speculate if the now 36 year old would retire on top.
That was not to be, and not by a long shot, as Selanne would play an additional seven seasons with the Ducks. Age and injuries began to take their toll, as he was limited to 26 games in 2007-08, 65 and 54 games the two following seasons. However, Selanne still had a surprise for his loyal fans, as he rebounded in 2010-11 with a 73 game, 80 point season and backed that up with a full 82 games and 66 points in 2011-12. He would play two more seasons before retiring after the 2013-14 season at the age of 43.
When Selanne returned to the club in 2005-06, they were in their final season of wearing their original white and eggplant jerseys, only with the dark jerseys now being worn at home and the whties on the road. During Selanne's absence, the club introduced a black alternate jersey in 2003-04, which Selanne wore during his first season back with the Mighty Ducks. However, Selanne found on his return to Anaheim that his traditional #8 was now in use by Latvian defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh. Selanne chose to revert to the #13 that he wore during his rookie season in Winnipeg.
The Mighty Ducks final alternate jersey, worn by Selanne for one season
on his return to Anaheim, notable for the #13
During the 2000-01 season, Selanne was the Mighty Ducks leading scorer, but with the team in last place, they chose to trade Selanne to the San Jose Sharks. After two and a half seasons in San Jose, he signed a one year contract, along with former Anaheim linemate Kariya, with the Colorado Avalanche. With the NHL season cancelled in 2004-05, Selanne chose to rest and allow his body to heal rather than play in Europe like many other NHLers chose to.
Again a free agent, Selanne chose to return to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for the 2005-06 season. Unlike other older veteran players who did not play during 2004-05 and were never the same again, the year off rejuvenated Selanne, who rebounded from a dismal 15 goal season in Colorado to post a 40 goal season in 2005-06. His strong performance upon his return to the NHL was recognized by Selanne being named the 2006 recipient of the Masterton Trophy for dedication and perseverance to hockey.
His 40 goal season was followed by a 48 goal, 94 point 2006-07 season, easily the best of his second stint in Anaheim, which was capped off by a triumphant Stanley Cup championship, which caused many to speculate if the now 36 year old would retire on top.
That was not to be, and not by a long shot, as Selanne would play an additional seven seasons with the Ducks. Age and injuries began to take their toll, as he was limited to 26 games in 2007-08, 65 and 54 games the two following seasons. However, Selanne still had a surprise for his loyal fans, as he rebounded in 2010-11 with a 73 game, 80 point season and backed that up with a full 82 games and 66 points in 2011-12. He would play two more seasons before retiring after the 2013-14 season at the age of 43.
When Selanne returned to the club in 2005-06, they were in their final season of wearing their original white and eggplant jerseys, only with the dark jerseys now being worn at home and the whties on the road. During Selanne's absence, the club introduced a black alternate jersey in 2003-04, which Selanne wore during his first season back with the Mighty Ducks. However, Selanne found on his return to Anaheim that his traditional #8 was now in use by Latvian defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh. Selanne chose to revert to the #13 that he wore during his rookie season in Winnipeg.
The Mighty Ducks final alternate jersey, worn by Selanne for one season
on his return to Anaheim, notable for the #13
A change in ownership for the club saw a change in name from the original and unconventional Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to the Anaheim Ducks for 2006-07. Along with the name change came an entirely new identity package, which meant new logos, colors and, of course, jerseys. The new name and jerseys were christened with the first Stanley Cup in franchise history - fine way to break in the team's new look. Additionally, with Ozolinsh having been traded away the previous season, Selanne was now free to return to his preferred #8 for 2006-07.
The Ducks introduced an entirely new look for 2006-07 and
promptly won the Stanley Cup
promptly won the Stanley Cup
The rounded shirt tail look arrived in 2007-08 with the
new Reebok Edge jerseys
new Reebok Edge jerseys
After sticking to just a black home jersey and a white road for the first four seasons of the new era as the Anaheim Ducks, the team introduced their a new alternate jersey for the first time since 2005-06. The jersey was an attractive looking upgrade over their home and road jerseys, as the promotion of the capital "D", in the form of a duck's footprint was a bold statement of identity rather than the too short wordmark of the home and road jerseys. Additionally, the more liberal incorporation of orange made for a much more vibrant jersey than the primary black home jersey.
One final jersey variation would await Selanne during the final season of his career, as the Ducks were chosen to play outdoors at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Kings as part of the Stadium Series of games, meant to capitalize on the popularity of the New Year's Day Winter Classic games. As with the Winter Classic, teams would wear special one-off jerseys for the event, with the Ducks choosing a bold orange look, which no doubt was visible from the upper reaches of the baseball stadium.
The fifth alternate jersey in Ducks history arrived in 2010
This particular jersey was worn at the start of the 2011-12 season as part of the NHL Premiere series of games, where selected teams opened their regular season in Europe, as evidenced by the NHL Premiere Finland patch on the right chest. The Ducks were no doubt sent to Finland due to Selanne's popularity in his homeland.
One final jersey variation would await Selanne during the final season of his career, as the Ducks were chosen to play outdoors at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Kings as part of the Stadium Series of games, meant to capitalize on the popularity of the New Year's Day Winter Classic games. As with the Winter Classic, teams would wear special one-off jerseys for the event, with the Ducks choosing a bold orange look, which no doubt was visible from the upper reaches of the baseball stadium.
The Anaheim Ducks orange Stadium Series jersey was
worn just once on January 25, 2014 outdoors at Dodger Stadium
Of note, during Selanne's final season with the Ducks, they would wear their original eggplant jerseys for an October 13th turn back the clock game to commemorate their 20th NHL season.
During his second time with the club, Selanne would again lead the team in scoring in 2006, 2007 and one final time in 2012, no easy feat at the age of 41 and when competing with young All-Stars such as Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.
In all, Selanne would play 15 seasons in Anaheim, six during his first run with the club as the Mighty Ducks. He would return to the Mighty Ducks for the 2005-06 season and then play eight more after the club name was changed to the Anaheim Ducks, which included winning a Stanley Cup in 2007.
Selanne would wear nine different styles of jerseys, two sets of home and road jerseys and five alternates plus the addition of the one-off Stadium Series jersey for a grand total of ten during his career with the Mighty Ducks and later just Ducks.
Patches worn by Selanne during his second tour of duty in Anaheim included the one game only Teammates for Kids patch on January 5, 2007 on the black home jersey, the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals patch, the NHL Premiere 2011 patch on the white road jersey on October 7, 2011 and on the black alternate on October 7, 2011, the "24" memorial patch for former Mighty Ducks player Ruslan Salei, who died in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Air Disaster, the Ducks 20th Anniversary patch during his final NHL season of 2013-14 and the Stadium Series patch on the Ducks special one-off orange jerseys on January 25, 2014.
Here is the tribute video to Selanne from last evening's special night in Anaheim.
During his second time with the club, Selanne would again lead the team in scoring in 2006, 2007 and one final time in 2012, no easy feat at the age of 41 and when competing with young All-Stars such as Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.
In all, Selanne would play 15 seasons in Anaheim, six during his first run with the club as the Mighty Ducks. He would return to the Mighty Ducks for the 2005-06 season and then play eight more after the club name was changed to the Anaheim Ducks, which included winning a Stanley Cup in 2007.
Selanne would wear nine different styles of jerseys, two sets of home and road jerseys and five alternates plus the addition of the one-off Stadium Series jersey for a grand total of ten during his career with the Mighty Ducks and later just Ducks.
Patches worn by Selanne during his second tour of duty in Anaheim included the one game only Teammates for Kids patch on January 5, 2007 on the black home jersey, the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals patch, the NHL Premiere 2011 patch on the white road jersey on October 7, 2011 and on the black alternate on October 7, 2011, the "24" memorial patch for former Mighty Ducks player Ruslan Salei, who died in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Air Disaster, the Ducks 20th Anniversary patch during his final NHL season of 2013-14 and the Stadium Series patch on the Ducks special one-off orange jerseys on January 25, 2014.
Here is the tribute video to Selanne from last evening's special night in Anaheim.
Next are highlights of the retirement ceremony from last evening.
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