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| Teemu Selanne |
Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" (born July 3, 1970) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey winger. He began his professional career in 1989–90 with Jokerit of the SM-liiga and played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche. Selänne is the highest scoring Finn in NHL history, and one of the highest overall; he retired in 2014 11th all-time with 684 goals and 15th with 1,457 points. He holds numerous team scoring records for both the Winnipeg/Phoenix franchise and the Anaheim Ducks.
It remains the league record for most goals by a rookie and earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top first-year player in the NHL. He has scored 50 goals in a season three times and topped 100 points on four occasions. He played in 10 NHL All-Star Games, was named to four post-season All-Star Teams and won the inaugural Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 1998–99 as the league's leading goal scorer. Internationally, Selänne was a long-time member of the Finnish National Team. He played in five World Championships, winning a silver and bronze medal, and in three Canada Cup/World Cup of Hockey tournaments. A six-time Olympian, Selänne helped Finland win three bronze medals and, in 2006, a silver medal. He is the all-time leader in scoring at the Olympic ice hockey tournament with 43 points.
Teemu Selanne took one last tour of the Anaheim rink after the final horn, waving his stick at cheering fans while players from both teams banged their sticks on the ice.
Selanne's 21-season NHL career likely ended Friday night with a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in Game 7 of their second-round series.
The 43-year-old forward has maintained he'll retire this summer, keeping to his plan even after starring in his sixth Olympics and playing a significant role during the best regular season in franchise history in Anaheim, his home for parts of 15 seasons.
The crowd chanted, "Let's go, Teemu," in the final minutes, with even Kings fans joining in. Selanne kept returning to the Ducks for seven straight years after he first contemplated retirement following their only Stanley Cup championship in 2007, each time hoping the Ducks would make another title run. He kept moving up the NHL's career scoring chart, currently sitting 15th with 1,457 points and 11th with 684 goals.
Selanne's ice time with the Ducks dwindled this season while coach Bruce Boudreau worked younger players into key roles. "The 2007 Stanley Cup has to be the biggest crown for my career," Selanne said. Selanne has a full life in Southern California waiting for him after retirement. To be honest, I really don't have to play anywhere anymore. Selanne began his pro career with three years in Jokerit's junior development program, and he played three seasons with the big league club before joining the Winnipeg Jets for his record-setting NHL rookie year in 1992-93.
The game also might have been a finale for Saku Koivu, Selanne's fellow Finn and longtime friend. Most of the fans of the Anaheim Ducks who lingered despite the lopsided score in a 6-2 victory for the Los Angeles Kings in Game 7 of their Western Conference Second Round series were probably there for one reason: The chance to say goodbye to Teemu Selanne.
Selanne announced before the season that 2013-14 would be his last. It's a funny game. The 43-year-old finishes his NHL career with 684 goals and 1,457 points in the regular season and 44 goals and 88 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Selanne is an almost certain first-ballot Hockey Hall of Fame member in three years if this is truly the end. But with Selanne, it has always been about more than his play on the ice.
"I coached Teemu and I know him," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said.
The final scenes of Selanne's career played out about as perfectly as could be expected considering the situation. Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau put him on the ice during a stoppage of play with 1:52 remaining, and fans from each team gave him a standing ovation.
After handshakes and pats on the chests or hugs from every player on the Kings during the handshake line, the Ducks gathered near their bench as the crowd saluted Selanne again.
Where Selanne belongs on a list of greatest players in NHL history can be debated for years. "When I came here during the 1995-96 season, I didn't really know what to expect," Selanne said. With the clock winding down on the Anaheim Ducks' season and, by extension, Teemu Selanne's career, Bruce Boudreau walked over to the future Hall of Famer and told him to hit the ice for the game's final shift.
"Let's go Teemu!"
Over the next 19 seasons he'd score at least 30 goals 15 times.
Having finally raised the Stanley Cup in 2007, he retired, only to come back and play six and a half more seasons. At 43, his ice time had been reduced, his goal scoring diminished. I still love this game. I still know I can play.
