{"id":493671,"date":"2026-07-20T07:55:56","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T11:55:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=493671"},"modified":"2026-07-19T20:40:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T00:40:21","slug":"anaheim-ducks-most-unlikely-heroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/07\/20\/anaheim-ducks-most-unlikely-heroes\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Series: The Anaheim Ducks Unlikely Heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"

The game of hockey, like all sports, is filled with heroes. Most of the time, it is the superstars who have a reputation for coming up clutch. However, we are here to talk about the heroic performances that seem to come from nowhere. An unlikely hero can step up and chip in with a massive, Stanley Cup Playoff series-clinching goal, or maybe it is a season-long performance, the likes of which will never be seen again. These unlikely heroes become a part of hockey history. Today, we bring you our Last Word On Hockey<\/em> summer series<\/a>, as we look at the Anaheim Ducks Unlikely Heroes<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Credit Image: \u00a9 Peter Joneleit\/Cal Sport Media<\/span><\/p>\n

Anaheim Ducks Unlikely Heroes<\/h2>\n

The Criteria<\/h3>\n

Some wonder what makes an unlikely hero. It can be a player who comes with a massive improvement out of nowhere. An unlikely hero can step up and chip in with a massive goal or a shutout that wasn’t expected. It can also be a player who steps up and has a season to remember. An unlikely hero can be a player who’s a youngster that gives a breakthrough performance. It can also be a star player that gives one last flash of greatness.<\/p>\n

For the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 it was a team effort. It meant Teemu Selanne<\/a>, Scott Niedermayer<\/a>, Chris Pronger, Jean-Sebastien Giguere<\/a>, Ryan Getzlaf, and Corey Perry<\/a>. Each played a major role in helping Anaheim win the franchise\u2019s first Stanley Cup<\/a>. However, one player who did not carry the same name recognition became one of the Ducks\u2019 most important offensive contributors when it mattered most. The Ducks did not win their only Stanley Cup because of star power alone. Several players outside the spotlight produced crucial moments throughout the 2007 playoffs. Today, we examine the Anaheim Ducks and two players who helped turn a talented roster into champions.<\/p>\n

1. Andy McDonald<\/h2>\n

McDonald\u2019s career did not begin with the expectations often placed on future Stanley Cup heroes. He went undrafted after four productive seasons at Colgate University<\/a>, where he became a Hobey Baker Award finalist<\/a> and a First Team All-American during his senior season. Nevertheless, NHL teams passed on him, leaving the Mighty Ducks to sign him as a free agent in 2000<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At 5’10” and 175 pounds, McDonald did not possess the physical profile that many teams valued from a centre during the early 2000s. Instead, he relied on quickness, vision, and an ability to find open space. He worked his way through the organization before becoming a regular NHL contributor, recording 51 points in 2005\u201306 and 45 more during the 2006\u201307 regular season.<\/p>\n

Those were strong totals, but they did not make him the face of the franchise. Anaheim\u2019s roster included Selanne, already one of the NHL\u2019s most dangerous scorers, and Niedermayer, a three-time Cup winner who had joined the Ducks in 2005. The following summer, general manager Brian Burke acquired Pronger from the Edmonton Oilers, giving Anaheim arguably one of the best bluelines in the modern NHL.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Getzlaf and Perry were beginning their rise as young, franchise cornerstones. Giguere had already won the Conn Smythe Trophy after leading Anaheim to the 2003 Stanley Cup Final. McDonald was an important part of the roster, but he was not the player opponents or fans first discussed when evaluating the Ducks\u2019 championship hopes.<\/p>\n

The 2007 Playoff Run<\/h2>\n

Anaheim entered the 2007 playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference after finishing the regular season with 110 points. The Ducks defeated the Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks in five games each before meeting the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Final.<\/p>\n

Detroit represented the biggest challenge of Anaheim\u2019s run. The Red Wings had elite talent, playoff experience, and home-ice advantage. The series was tied 2\u20132 entering Game 5 at Joe Louis Arena, and Anaheim faced a late 1\u20130 deficit in regulation.<\/p>\n

Niedermayer tied the game with 48 seconds remaining, forcing overtime. Then, McDonald made one of the most important plays in Ducks history. He pressured Detroit defenceman Andreas Lilja behind the Red Wings net, helping create a turnover that gave Selanne the puck in front of Dominik Hasek. Selanne scored on his backhand, putting Anaheim ahead 3\u20132 in the series.<\/p>\n

The goal is remembered for Selanne\u2019s finish, and understandably so. However, McDonald\u2019s forecheck created the opportunity. The Ducks then won Game 6 at Honda Center, earning their second Stanley Cup Final appearance in five years.<\/p>\n

McDonald entered the Final with seven goals, already leading Anaheim in that category. Still, his best work remained ahead.<\/p>\n

Anaheim won Game 6 and advanced to its second Stanley Cup Final in five years.<\/p>\n

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5\/20\/2007: Teemu Selanne scores "the goal" against the Detroit Red Wings to win Game 5 of the 2007 Western Conference Finals. pic.twitter.com\/K47ghPqkv3<\/a><\/p>\n

— Today in Anaheim Ducks history (@AnaDucksHistory) May 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n