14°c Overcast
12°c Rain
WINNIPEG JETS
Record: 24 – 21 – 3
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Selanne looks forward to returning to play against first NHL team
Anaheim Ducks forward Teemu Selanne throws pucks to spectators as he warms up ahead of an NHL season opener in Helsinki, Finland in October. (MARTTI KAINULAINEN / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Related Items
-
Articles
- Crowd makes Selanne first star despite Ducks' loss
- Jets down Wild 2-1
- Team Canada releases Ferland
- Jets claim Antti Miettinen off waivers
- Winnipeg Jets player statistics
- Jets Notebook
- A win tonight will put things right
- Jets Report
- Excited hockey fans snap up first 10,000 Jets plates
- Best to forget about this one
WINNIPEG — It was only a minority of the time in his career, but Teemu Selanne and Winnipeg still go together like puck in net.
Selanne returns to the Manitoba capital on Saturday to play for the first time in almost 16 years -- since he was traded in February 1996. The Anaheim Ducks meet the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre on Saturday.
"That was my first NHL team," Selanne told reporters on a conference call this afternoon. "Starting there, I’ve always said the hockey was such a big thing. The fans and the whole city makes the players feel so special.
"It was just a dream come true to start a career in Canada. Obviously all the memories I have there, it’s just so, so awesome."
During his first season, 1992-93, in Winnipeg, Selanne shattered the NHL rookie record for goals, 76, and points, 132.
He won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year by polling 50 out of 50 first-place votes. A unanimous selection for any NHL award is nearly unheard of.
Selanne played for the Jets until 1996, when on Feb. 4, he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, along with Marc Chouinard and a fourth-round pick, for long-forgotten pieces Chad Kilger, Oleg Tverdovsky and a third-round pick.
Selanne, now 41, is in his 19th NHL season. He is Anaheim’s career leader in games (803), goals (419), assists (481) and points (900).
Selanne also revealed today that the new Winnipeg Jets inquired about his services as a free agent during the summer.
"Winnipeg called my agent and asked if they could even make an offer," Selanne said today. "But I told Don Baizley, my agent, earlier that the biggest question for me (then) was if I can play, not where I can play."
Selanne was contemplating retirement and did not make up his mind to return to the NHL until late in the summer.
"I have been so long here (Anaheim) and have been so happy with this franchise and this team, there’s no way I could leave anymore," he said. ""I was very honoured that they called but it’s too late to move."
History
Updated on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 11:54 AM CST: Corrects assists figure to 481
More Winnipeg Jets
- Back to Top
- Return to Winnipeg Jets
Poll
Most Popular Winnipeg Jets
- Ready for prime time
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Jets sign defenceman
- Colts drop Game 7 in OHL final
- Buff just 'sitting around a lot' now
- Kane's days are numbered in 'Peg
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Scheifele’s dominance makes Jets look wise
- Jets in recovery mode
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Ready for prime time
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Colts drop Game 7 in OHL final
- Scheifele’s dominance makes Jets look wise
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Kane's days are numbered in 'Peg
- Jets sign defenceman
- Jets have Olli on board
- The Great Canadian Hockey Quiz
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Young prospects will get every opportunity to stick with the big club: Cheveldayoff
- It's broke - Fix it
- Jets' playoff hopes dealt fatal blow
- This end-of-season scenario old, and Jets fans and players know it
- Win against Montreal Jets' last hope in playoff push
- Jets edge Sabres
- Caps just too much for Jets
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- It's broke - Fix it
- Summer could be a sizzler
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Saturday's game had it all -- what a blast
- Jets edge Sabres
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Current Jets tackle trivia test — and so can you
- Jets down two more key players
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.