The Ugly Ducklings

There is so much that I resent about the Anaheim Ducks. First of all, they were named after a Disney movie, what the heck is that about? Second, they seem to have a knack for squashing any hopes the Wild have of drinking with Lord Stanley and his cup each year, the fastest way to a man's hatred. Third, and most frustrating of all, who plays hockey in California!? I may be slightly idealistic but shouldn't the Stanley Cup be held somewhere where they have ice at some point during the year?
Despite never having played organized hockey myself, largely due to a complete lack of athletic ability,I would still proudly consider myself a citizen of the State of Hockey. With easily the highest percentage of youth playing hockey in the country, the biggest state tournament that I know of, and winter nine months out of the year, wouldn't it make more sense for a winning NHL squad to come out of Minnesota than, I don't know, California or Texas?

It just frustrates me, that's all.


I understand that it is largely a question of market size, there are more people who are willing to spend more money to see hockey in those places than in Minnesota so the team has more money to spend on Blue Chip type players, giving them the obvious advantage. I guess it makes sense, it's just that all of it just doesn't seem quite right to me.

So for now, since my driver's licence doesn't say Doug Risebrough, all I can do is to keep cheering, if not for the Wild, for teams like Ottawa, where the kids have actually seen snow.

See you on the ice,
NAG