Ryan Getzlaf called it a career his way.
Was Sunday night’s game the final one on the Anaheim Ducks’ 2021-22 schedule? No, but it was the final home game, and Getzlaf, 36, decided to make it the final game of his career and sit out the Ducks’ remaining road games. That allowed for him to end things with a special tribute at the Honda Center.
Fans lined up for hours in advance to attend the game. Hall of Famer and longtime Duck Teemu Selanne drove an off-road vehicle onto the ice in a pregame ceremony as part of an around-the-world golf vacation gift, while Getzlaf’s wife and four children joined him and Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli at center ice.
Once the puck dropped, Getzlaf, like he had so many times in his career, gave something back to everyone in attendance. Considering he sits fifth among all NHLers in assists since debuting in 2005-06, it was fitting for him to deliver a beautiful dish for his final point in his final game. Bearing down on St. Louis Blues goaltender Ville Husso, Getzlaf rotated for a highlight-reel, spin-o-rama feed to Adam Henrique, who finished off the 2-on-1.
Getzlaf ends his NHL career as the Ducks’ all-time leader in games, assists, points and playoff points. He’s one of 45 players to record 1,000 or more points with one team. As one of the elite playmakers of his generation, he has excellent odds of making the Hall of Fame someday.
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