ANAHEIM, Calif. (CBSLA.com/AP) — The Anaheim Ducks retired Teemu Selanne’s No. 8 jersey in the Honda Center rafters Sunday, honoring the beloved forward who became their franchise scoring leader during his 21-season NHL career.
Eight months after Selanne retired following a career spent mostly in Orange County, the Ducks raised his No. 8 in an emotional pregame ceremony for the franchise’s most popular player and the 11th-leading goal-scorer in league history.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Ducks owner Henry Samueli and Selanne’s family joined two decades of former Ducks players in honoring the Finnish Flash.
Selanne won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and delighted hockey fans for a quarter-century with his electrifying offensive abilities and magnetic personality.
Selanne’s jersey number is the first retired by the Ducks.
Selanne delivered a touching sentiment to the crowd, gave a heart-felt “thank you” to fans, and watched his jersey rise to the rafters.
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