Teemue Selanne, 10-year veteran of Anaheim Ducks, decides to play another season

By AP
Saturday, June 27, 2009

Selanne to stay another season with Ducks

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ten-time All-Star Teemu Selanne has decided to play another season with the Anaheim Ducks.

Selanne’s decision, announced by the Ducks on Saturday, came a day after defenseman Scott Niedermayer, who turns 36 in August, told the team he’s coming back. Selanne turns 39 next week.

“Teemu is still playing at a high level, brings passion and energy to the locker room and is a loyal member of this franchise,” general manager Bob Murray said in a statement.

The Finnish-born Selanne has played 10 of his 17 NHL seasons with Anaheim and was signed for the 2009-2010 season.

He is the Ducks’ all-time scoring leader with 352 goals, including 59 game-winners, and 743 points. Anaheim was eliminated by Detroit in the second round of the playoffs this year.

“The way we played toward the end of last season, I’m excited about our chances,” Selanne said in the statement.

He and Niedermayer were key players in the Ducks’ run to the 2007 Stanley Cup championship. A team spokesman said the Ducks hope to sign Niedermayer to a new contract soon.

Anaheim traded defenseman Chris Pronger to the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday, along with prospect Ryan Dingle for forward Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, first-round picks in 2009 and 2010 and a conditional third-round pick in 2010 or 2011.

The 34-year-old Pronger had 11 goals and 37 assists in 82 games last season.

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