Welcome, Matt

BY MATT VEVODA
AnaheimDucks.com

The good news was, he had no time to get nervous.

Matt Beleskey arrived at Honda Center for his NHL debut Jan. 9 against Tampa Bay with literally only a few minutes to spare before puck drop. After they learned Todd Marchant would not play in that night’s contest with a fractured pinkie, the Ducks made an afternoon phone call to their AHL affiliate in Iowa (a place Anaheim had already plucked away five players this season) to retrieve Beleskey. The 20-year-old had already returned home after a pre-game skate (the Chops were facing Manitoba that night) when he learned that the ice he would play on that night would be in a bigger venue approximately 1,678 miles away.

“It was amazing and pretty hectic,” Beleskey said. “I got the call and had an hour to get to the airport. Then to show up 10 minutes before the game, it was a little crazy.”

Once he quickly slipped on his gear in time to be on the bench for the national anthem, Beleskey went on to play 13:53 against the Lightning. The rookie left wing began the game on a line with Andrew Ebbett and Brendan Morrision, but as Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle tinkered with the combinations in search of scoring, Beleskey found himself beside All-Star Ryan Getzlaf and fellow one-time Chops teammate Drew Miller.

That trio was on the ice when Chris Pronger scored a goal (after Steve Montador had done so 12 seconds earlier) to pull even with the Lightning in the second period. But while the Ducks would go on to lose that game 4-3, the day-long experience for Beleskey etched a memory he will always treasure.

“It was definitely a first game you’ll never forget, that is for sure,” Beleskey said. “It was everything you would think it would be, having Ryan Getzlaf as your center. It’s a pretty good feeling to be able to do that.”

Enjoying a more routine day this past Sunday for his second game against New Jersey, Beleskey said he was “actually a little more nervous” because he had time to think about the game. With Corey Perry returned from a four-game suspension, Beleskey saw time (9:48 overall) on the fourth line (also known as the “energy” line) beside Ryan Carter and George Parros and the Ducks held on for a 4-3 victory over the Devils.

“It’s been a lot of fun just trying to get out there, work hard and do the little things they ask from me,” said Beleskey, who was selected by Anaheim in the fourth round (112th overall pick) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. “It’s a little nerve-wrecking at times, but it’s getting better.”

Following four seasons with the Belleville Bulls (where he amassed 98 goals and 221 points) in the Ontario Hockey League, the 2008-09 season is Beleskey’s first as a professional. Prior to his promotion to the Ducks, Beleskey had totaled 15 points in 18 games with Iowa, leading the Chops in points per game (.83).

“Matt’s a young kid who is in his first year pro and is trying to make a statement,” Ebbett said. “He’s played great down in Iowa and works really hard. He’s got a good shot, a quick release and knows how to shoot the puck.”

Beleskey’s presence in the Ducks lineup brings the number of current players who started the year as Chops to six (Beleskey, Ebbett, Miller, Bobby Ryan, Brett Festerling and Brendan Mikkelson). As each tries to create their own impression on the Ducks and in the league, they are enjoying the luxury of being able to do it together.

“I don’t think any guys down in the American League envisioned them bringing up six guys like that,” Ebbett said. “It’s been wild, but a great opportunity for everybody to get a chance to showcase their skills and hopefully prove that you can stay up here.”

With Todd Marchant projected to be out of action for two weeks with an injured finger, Beleskey should see some action in a handful of games during that span. It’s a nice reward for what was a frenzied start.

“It’s a huge undertaking to grab a guy off an airplane, land him at 6:00 and have him in your lineup at 7:00,” Carlyle said. “I thought he has done fine. He shows that he has the skill set and the ability to skate and bang. He’s surviving.”

Ducks patient with Ryan

By DEREK VAN DIEST, SUN MEDIA

Bobby Ryan doesn't want to end up the answer to a sports trivia question.
What player was chosen second to Sidney Crosby in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft?
While Crosby rocketed to superstardom immediately after being selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ryan has yet to live up to his potential.
But the native of Cherry Hill, N.J., is getting there.
Heading into last contest against the Edmonton Oilers, he had 10 points in 14 games.
"Bobby has been very good," said Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle.
"The expectations on him were very high from the standpoint that we thought he would be able to play with (Ryan) Getzlaf and (Corey) Perry. That didn't really pan out.
"But we took another review of it and said when we brought Getzlaf and Perry into the league, they played on the fourth line. They also got second power-play unit time, so maybe we should reassess how we're going to go forward with Bobby Ryan."

SCORING SENSATION

A scoring sensation in junior, Ryan had 37 goals and 64 assists in 62 games as a 17-year-old with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League.
That summer he was selected by the Ducks ahead of players such as Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, San Jose Sharks winger Devin Setoguchi and Los Angeles Kings centre Anze Kopitar.
Ryan, 21, returned to play another two seasons in Owen Sound, scoring 43 goals and adding 59 assists in 63 games in his final year of junior.
Last season Ryan split his time between the Ducks and their AHL affiliate in Portland, Me., collecting 10 points in 23 games with the Ducks and 49 points in 48 games with the Pirates.
"Being the second pick in that draft is something that's always going to follow me," Ryan said yesterday.
"I don't feel pressure from the coaching staff and the guys in this room. I think everyone in this room will tell you everyone is their own worst critic."
Expected to make the team out of training camp, the Ducks had to send Ryan down to their new AHL affiliate in Iowa due to salary cap issues at the start of the season. It was a tough pill to swallow.
"Absolutely, especially after the summer that I put in and then the team giving me every indication that I wasn't going anywhere," Ryan said.
"But you move on quickly, you go down, you don't sulk, you do what you have to do down there.
"They told me they would find a way to solve things. From what I understand, they were getting close to solving it without (defenceman Francois Beauchemin) going down.
"It's too bad having to come up under that circumstance, but at the same time I felt like I belonged here from the start."
Ryan has four goals and six assists since being called up in mid-November. A roster spot opened up when Beauchemin went down with what could be a season-ending knee injury.
Ryan's currently being used on the fourth line with Ryan Carter and George Parros.
"That's allowed him some freedom," Carlyle said.

NO PRESSURE

"He's doesn't have the pressure of having to go out there and perform and get that big goal for us every night. And he also doesn't have to up against the best checking lines in the NHL, as Getzlaf and Perry do."
The line has been productive of late. Prior to last night, the trio had nine points in their previous five games.
"It's a different role, absolutely," Ryan said. "But it's something you have to embrace, you have to conform because you are in the NHL and you have to do what you are asked to do.
"Whether it's a temporary thing or a mainstay for me in the long run, I don't know. But for now, I feel like I'm somewhere in the grooming process.
"That's how the coach feels it's best for me to come along, so who am I to feel any differently."
The Ducks would like to see Ryan develop into a top-line player, hoping some of his scoring exploits from junior transfer to the NHL level.
The fact he's yet to become a dominant force has brought the Ducks some criticism. Even Oilers president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe used it as ammunition in his public spat with then Ducks general manager Brian Burke this summer.
"All that other stuff that comes up in the media, I will leave it on the backburner and not worry about it," Ryan said.
"Sidney Crosby is an exception; he's been incredible in everything he's done and is obviously great for the game.

NHL Insider: Lindstrom gets chance with Coyotes

by Jim Gintonio - Dec. 10, 2008 02:44 PMThe Arizona Republic

Windows of opportunity in the NHL don't stay open long.

And once players get a taste of the big time, getting sent back to the minors is deflating as their team bus getting four flat tires in West Texas.

Another crack in that window has opened for Joakim Lindstrom, 25, acquired by the Coyotes from the Anaheim organization, where he played for the Iowa Chops and saw his AHL career reach 200 games.

He appeared in 37 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the previous three seasons, and that experience made him crave a return to the NHL.

"It feels incredible," said Lindstrom, a 2002 second-round draft pick (41st overall) of the Blue Jackets. "It's really good to be here.

"You always want to be in the NHL, right? You always got to make the best of it, just try to keep on working hard. It's my dream to play in the NHL. I'm willing to do anything and everything it takes . . . and help the Coyotes in the best possible way that I can."

Lindstrom's call-up is not just to give his ego a boost. He's viewed as smart and skilled forward, and he will be given a good chance to show that he belongs. He'll be on lines with offensively skilled players, and the Coyotes will be looking for production.

As for the frustration of playing in the minors when you think you're ready to move up, he said: "It's not only me. It's a lot of guys around the league. You've just got to deal with it, simple as that."

Press Release - The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed left wing Eric Tangradi to a three-year entry-level contract. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Tangradi, 19 (2/10/89), has appeared in 32 contests with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season, collecting 20-26=46 points with 41 penalty minutes (PIM). Playing in his third season with the club and his first as team captain, the 6-3, 220-pound winger currently leads the Bulls and ranks fourth in the OHL in scoring. He is currently riding a 10-game point streak (9-10=19) dating back to Nov. 15 at Ottawa, which also includes a five-point effort (2-3=5) on Nov. 19 vs. Niagara. Tangradi was named the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending Nov. 23, collecting 4-5=9 points with a +6 rating in three games. He has registered at least one point in 24-of-32 games this season, helping the Bulls maintain first place in the OHL’s Eastern Conference. On Dec. 3, Tangradi was named to the U.S. National Junior Team competing at the 2009 World Junior Championship beginning on Dec. 26 in Ottawa, Ontario. [READ]

Ducks' Bobby Ryan responds well to demotion

Dropped to the fourth line before Sunday's game, he produces a goal and an assist in 5-3 victory over Columbus.

By Chris Foster
December 8, 2008

The Ducks' Bobby Ryan took a tumble . . . before Sunday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets even began.

Ryan had been on the Ducks' top two lines almost exclusively since being recalled from minor league Iowa three weeks ago. He was dropped to the fourth line Sunday.

A message from Coach Randy Carlyle?

"Yes and no," Ryan said.

The message back from Ryan was clear. He scored one goal and assisted on another, as the Ducks' energy line (Ryan, Ryan Carter and George Parros) gave the offense a little oomph in a 5-3 victory over Columbus.

"It's a different role and you embrace it," Ryan said. "All they want me to do is bring energy. If we put a couple like we did tonight that's fine."

Ryan practiced the previous two days with the fourth line. Carlyle, though, said Saturday that Ryan would play on a scoring line. That was for public consumption. Privately, Ryan said he was told Saturday that he would be on the fourth line.

"I felt that it's probably better at this point, with the way things have gone for him," Carlyle said after Sunday's game. "I didn't think he felt comfortable in some situations. He has to understand there is a grooming process that takes place in the NHL. The fact is, it is not easy to step in and play second-line minutes in your first year."

Ryan showed that day may not be far off. He led a two-on-one rush into the Columbus zone, then slipped a pass to Carter, who scored in the second period. Ryan was perched at the crease in the third period and chipped in a pass from Parros.

"He brings some puck-handling skills to our line," Parros said. "He's not afraid to make plays."

Ryan knows that wasn't the message he was being given. "We know he can score goals," Carlyle said.

Said Ryan: "We're not relied upon to score. We're relied upon to hit people. If the momentum is in the other team's favor, we're going to change it back."