Scott's Soapbox

Friday, January 19, 2007

It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy


Last night, Teemu Selanne scored his 30th goal of the season, making him the first man to do it this year. It was his 522nd goal (tied 28th all-time) and his 1100th point (52nd all-time). Not bad for a 36-year old. It's now his 9th 30-goal season. As he heads to the All-Star game festivities this Tuesday and Wednesday, where he makes his 10th appearance, I am thankful he's still around for me to appreciate. A few years ago, his career seemed to be winding down. Watching him push himself around on a bad knee during his one season in Colorado was painful. When the next season was wiped out due to a labor dispute, retirement from the NHL seemed likely. Instead, he was able to rest, rehabilitate his knee, on come back stronger than anyone would have suspected. Signing a bargain basement 1-year deal to go back to Anaheim, he delivered a 40-goal, 90-point season, leading the team in scoring in both the regular season and in their surprising playoff run to the conference finals. The NHL awarded him the Masterson Trophy for being "the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."

This season, he has continued his tear throughout the league and keeps flying down the wing as he attempts to cap off his Hall of Fame career with his first Stanley Cup ring. All the while with a smile on his face, a joke to be had, a autograph ready to be signed. When a week ago he spoke with a close friend of his from home; he learned his friend was dying of cancer. His friend asked him on telephone for a hat trick that night. Selanne laughed, but joked he doesn't do that anymore- having last done it in March of 2001. Of course, he came through that night with 3 in Dallas, including another league-leading 7th game-winner, and the puck is on it's way back to Finland. He's a true class act, and it's a privilege to be able to watch him play.

Of course, opposing goalies in the league might not agree- here's what Dallas' Marty Turco looked like in the game above while getting hat-tricked by Selanne.

Don't worry Marty, it's happened to a lot of you.

Read another nice Selanne appreciation here.

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