Andy McDonald, the Anaheim Ducks’ eighth all-time leading scorer, called it a career last week after suffering from post-concussion symptoms.  The 35-year old forward spent 12 years in the NHL, splitting time between the Ducks and St. Louis Blues.  He amassed 187 goals, 307 assists and 489 points in 685 games, including an 85-point season in 2005-06 that placed him just five points behind team-leader Teemu Selanne.

Andy McDonald has been a member of the Blues since the 2007-08 season (TSN Photography)

All of those numbers were overshadowed by one medical statistic: McDonald suffered five documented concussions in his career.

“The last few years, too much of the focus became worrying about the next hit. I was always thinking about it.” McDonald told Andy Strickland of TrueHockey.com.  “I’m fortunate to get out now. I know I could play two or three more years and I love the game of hockey, but healthwise I know I shouldn’t be playing.”

McDonald was the Blues’ leading scorer in 2009-10 with 57 points (Icon SMI)

McDonald battled with concussions throughout most of his entire career.  In February 2003, during his third NHL season, McDonald suffered his first concussion as a member of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.  He missed the rest of the regular season and the entire 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs.  He was forced to watch from the press box as his team went to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history.

McDonald’s most recent documented concussion was suffered on October 13, 2011 when teammate Nikita Nikitin bumped McDonald from behind and was then accidentally hit in the head by Dallas Stars forward Vernon Fiddler.  He missed 60 games before returning on February 29, 2012.

McDonald was set to become an unrestricted free-agent this summer.  The undrafted Colgate University product’s future with the Blues’ roster was cloudy at best after going scoreless in six playoff games.  This was on the heals of posting just six points (3G, 3A) in his final 13 regular season games.  Factor in that the Blues’ offense seems to get younger every season and the cards do not stack in McDonald’s favor.

Although McDonald was slightly coveted amongst a mostly pedestrian list of free-agents, this was a solid career move.  McDonald and his wife, Gina, have two young children and plan to remain in St. Louis to raise them.  Uprooting a family during the steady decline of a career always proves to be difficult.

Pronger has been at the center of the concussion controversy since late 2011 (Bruce Fedyck-US PRESSWIRE)

McDonald’s former Anaheim teammate, Chris Pronger, has seen the ugliest side of concussions imaginable.  He has faced depression, fatique and chronic headaches along with every other symptom you read about that come with concussions.  He has been forced into retirement as many have before him.  Some of the players that also struggled with these long-term effects include NHL greats Eric Lindros, Keith Primeau, Paul Kariya and Pat LaFontaine.

Lauren Pronger, Chris’ wife, has been very open about wishing for “good days” for her husband.  This is not a recent injury for Pronger, either; he has not played in an NHL game since November 19, 2011.

The hope is that McDonald can begin the second portion of his adult-life without long-lasting, lingering effects.  Had he decided to play a few more seasons, chances are that he would not be able to say that.

McDonald has won a Stanley Cup.  He had a successful professional career despite going undrafted in the OHL and NHL.  He has even been a major factor in the rebuild of a broken St. Louis franchise.

All careers come to an end but McDonald did it in a fashion that allows him to live a normal, post-NHL life.

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Jeff Ponder

I was a member of St. Louis Blues media during the 2011-12 season. Currently, I am the Blues Team Editor for TheHockeyWriters.com, while also being the host of Lets Go Blues Radio, the only St. Louis Blues podcast on iTunes. I can also be found at my personal website, StormTheCrease.com

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This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

When the Season Ends It Doesn’t Mean You Stop Working 

Photo Credit: (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals)

When the season ends it does not mean that hockey players just kick it poolside every day. Many of the professional athletes fall into a routine that keeps them physically fit, mentally sharp, and keeps their hockey-hunger alive.  Smith-Pelly is no different as he talks about his rigorous workout routine,  “I’m back into the routine of Monday through Friday working out and I’m looking into improving over the summer here.” Everyone wants to improve on something, right? The right-handed shooter is just like any other player. When asked what area he wanted to improve he said, “On everything and trying to get bigger, stronger, faster, and get into better shape.

               Smith-Pelly is in Good Company during the Summer

There is no better way to up your skill set than training with the cream of the crop. The big rig is under the watchful eye of Matt Nichol and his staff who are operate Paragenix Systems in Toronto. Devante ran through a list of the NHL’s elite that train at Paragenix including, “The Stewart brothers, Semin, Cammalleri, and Wolski.” He also mentioned that Tyler Seguin works out there. The 2010 draft pick went on to say, “There is about twenty plus NHL’ers in there for sure.”

Black Ace Isn’t Just a Card, It’s a Position

When a hockey team has secured a play-off berth some of the top prospects head up to their NHL Club and don the title of “black ace.” Smith-Pelly was joined by Peter Holland, Patrick Maroon, Harry Zolnierczyk, Nate Guenin, Hampus Lindholm, Frederik Andersen, and John Gibson. All eight saw ice time with Norfolk during the 2012-2013 campaign.

The big-bodied winger shared how the black aces spent their time,  “We skated before the team.  We worked out when they skated. All the guys pretty much hung out all day–went to the beach and that kind of stuff and it was a pretty good time.”

Exit Day in Anaheim

(Anne-Marie Sorvin-US PRESSWIRE)

The Mississauga St. Major alumnus gave a lowdown on what went on during his exit interview before he left Anaheim. He relayed the message, “We didn’t really talk much about this year. We talked about just looking forward to next year and their expectations on what they would like to see when I come back.”

Looking Forward

What does the future hold for Smith-Pelly? Well according to Devo he wants to be an everyday guy in Anaheim, but on the flipside he stated, “I don’t want to be just their everyday guy. I want to be a guy who has an impact on the game.”

Work Hard, Play Hard

If you follow Smith-Pelly on Twitter you will see that he is a fan of Toronto-born rapper Drake. Well Drake is coming to Toronto to perform in the Ovo fest which is a two-day event held at the Rodgers Centre where he headlines along with feature artists Frank Ocean and James Blake. “You work hard during the summer. There is sometimes where you just need to relax and it’s something I look forward to.”  In addition, Smith-Pelly added that his hockey roommate and close friend Emerson Etem, “May actually come down for that,” referring to Ovo fest.

Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend

Emerson Etem Photo Credit: (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals

Devante and Emerson go back to when they were in their teens. Along with knowing each other since minor hockey, the two are represented by the same agent and Company O2K Worldwide Management Group. The last couple of years the duo became closer as they were both selected by the Ducks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Bragging rights could be claimed by Etem because he was selected in the first round and Smith-Pelly was chosen in the second round. However, Devante may get the last laugh because he is two days older than Etem.  With their birthdays quickly approaching, the two may celebrate together.

To lighten the mood Devante was asked to describe Emerson in one word and to explain why he made his choice. The rugged Duck responded,” Out-there. He’s got a personality on him. He is very outgoing. He loves to have fun and is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen.”

Giving Back During The Summer

Hockey players are known to pour their wisdom and advice into the community during the off-season. Devante has plans to spend time with the community, “I usually do some charity ball hockey. Play On has ball hockey tournaments all throughout Canada and I usually do that during the summer. I know Alex Semin has a charity road hockey game. I’m going to be doing that as well and I hope to do more this summer.”

Lending A Helping Hand

Devante has a younger brother named Jaylen who also plays youth hockey in Toronto. When asked about giving advice to help him compete at the next level Smith Pelly replied,” He’s a big strong guy, but if he comes in and says I want to take it to the next level for sure I’ll help him. As of right now I’m letting him do his own thing and if he wants to commit for sure I’ll be there and try to help him out.”

So it’s safe to say if Smith-Pelly does not forget that a big part of hockey is mental preparation and conditioning and continues working on that this summer, he could once again rejoin the Ducks full-time repeating his rookie year in Anaheim where he made the team out of camp.

A special thanks to Smith-Pelly’s management group O2K Worldwide Management  for making this happen.

Follow Ted on Twitter @bauerhockeydude

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Ted Warren

Ted grew up in Virginia. Warren has a passion for the AHL and dishes out articles about the Norfolk Admirals and the AHL. Follow him on Twitter @bauerhockeydude

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Photo Credit: (Norfolk Admirals)

When you want a low-down about of the future of the Anaheim Ducks who better to talk to then long time voice of the Norfolk Admirals, Pete Michaud, who has been calling Admirals’ games since they entered the area in 1989. The Chesapeake, VA native has been calling the balls and strikes for the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, the Norfolk Tides, since 2007.

Pistol Pete as he is known gave THW the low-down on some prospects and the amazing Calder Cup run that secured the Admirals first title since the days of John Brophy and the ECHL.

Pete Michaud’s Most Memorable Moment

Tampa Bay’s flagship affiliate who was stationed in Norfolk last year won the AHL’s Holy Grail before the Ducks and the Lightning flip-flopped American League affiliates. In addition, the twenty-eight game winning streak the club went on allowed Michaud to witness North American hockey history. Pete relayed his message about the historic run,

“To be a part of an organization that wins a championship is special enough for anybody, but to be with a team that was the best team I’ve ever seen in minor league hockey was even better. To see a team that wins twenty-eight in a row and frankly if the regular season had not ended who knows how long that streak might have gone. To sit back and witness what happens to be regarded by historians in hockey as one of the best minor league teams in minor league hockey history makes it pretty special.”

Pete Michaud (Norfolk Admirals)

Slapshots to Breaking Balls

Hockey is all about hustle and spilt second reactions so hockey players need to think on their toes and keep up with the play. Likewise Michaud has to announce on his toes while calling hockey, but in baseball it’s more of a marathon when he broadcasts.  The avid golfer spoke on the matter,

“Hockey is the most difficult game to actually call the play-by-play. Baseball is the most difficult game to prepare for because it’s the slowest sport you can call and there’s so much more dead time. I know guys who can wing it in hockey with not a lot of prep, but calling the actual action is really, really tough because it’s so fast and you’ve got guys over the boards with line changes all in one motion. So there are the differences–hockey is the hardest to call, but baseball is the hardest to prepare for.”

“Pistol” Taking Aim On the Ducklings

Michaud calls both home and away games for the Admirals. Announcing every hockey game gives him a lot of time to scout the Ducks of tomorrow. The Indian River graduate was generous enough to share his thoughts on some of the 2012-2013 Norfolk Admirals.

Emerson Etem: “Very smart, very fast, very dedicated, and very professional. For a young guy I think he understands that he has a long way to go, he has gone along way already, but he is already looking for ways to improve and picking the brains of people that have been around the game longer than him. I like his work ethic and the ways he goes about preparing himself on a day-to-day basis.

Patrick Maroon: “Big strong gritty guy. I think he can be a third or fourth line guy in the National Hockey League. Really good hands for a big guy, surprisingly tough. Some guys have fought him and they regret it afterwards.”

Photo Credit: (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals)

Devante Smith-Pelly: “Another guy who is every young and I think some people kind of forget that. I think they were expecting a lot out of him at a young age, but he was in the NHL when he was nineteen-years-old. Good skater, good hands. I think he is a guy who needs seasoning and just needs time, but I think he can be a NHL regular as well.”

Chris Wagner: “Really smart. I think he is a guy who gets the most out of his ability whether or not that’s going to translate to be a NHL guy or not I’m not sure. A guy who comes every night ready to play. He gives you everything he’s got and that’s all you can ask.”

Sami Vatanen: “Tremendously skilled. Sami runs the power play well. I think it took him a good half of the year to adjust to the North American style of game. He was such a finesse guy over in Europe playing on the big ice. His passing and skating really have beaten a lot of people. He’s learned once he got over here (A) the guys are better and (B) he is on a smaller surface. It took him awhile to adjust to that, but he eventually got the hang of it. Then you see him in the NHL late in the season and he’s another guy who’s still pretty young. I think he is going to be a definite NHL’er and maybe a first defensive pairing in the future.”

Hampus Lindholm: “Really young. Kind of green. Learning the ropes not only on the ice, but culturally living over here. Coaches rave about him. Really hard working kid. Always asking questions. Doesn’t have the offensive play like Sami, but he’s got some touch. He needs to get a little bit bigger and stronger. “

Charlie Sarault: “Really good offensive touch. Haven’t seen enough of him to make a real definitive determination on him, but the little bit we saw last year showed the kid’s got some hands and he’s a little guy and is not afraid to go into the high traffic areas. He’ll go stand with the 6’4” guys in front of the net and take a beating and still somehow he finds a way to get the puck in the net. He’s got that goal scoring knack.”

Pete’s Take On Admirals Head Coach Trent Yawney

“Trent is kind of an old school guy. You’ve got to work in both ends with Trent even if you’ve got a lot of offensive flash you’ve got to make the commitment defensively. I think people kind of cringe at times when people say he’s a defensive coach, but I look at that as a compliment because he was a real good steady NHL D-man. He preaches you start from the goal out.”

You now have the 411 on some of the up and coming talent the Ducks have to offer.  The buck stops at Pete Michaud when you want to talk Admirals hockey. It’s a proven fact as he was awarded the AHL’s James H. Ellery Award in 2012, which is given to three members of the media who cover the American League. Michaud struck pay dirt in the radio category.

Follow Ted on Twitter @bauerhockeydude

Follow Pete on Twitter @AdmiralsVoice or @TidesRadioVoice

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Ted Warren

Ted grew up in Virginia. Warren has a passion for the AHL and dishes out articles about the Norfolk Admirals and the AHL. Follow him on Twitter @bauerhockeydude

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

(Photo courtesy of Gosh@/ Flikr.)

When they hired former Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau, many wondered how the team would respond. But the Ducks have thrived under Boudreau, most notably captain Ryan Getzlaf. It has been the foot soldiers of the team, however, that have helped lift the Ducks to their lofty position. Guys like Matt Beleskey, Kyle Palmieri, Nick Bonino and Ben Lovejoy have been key players in Anaheim’s run. Another guy making an impact? The Oilers 25th overall draft pick in 2005, Andrew Cogliano.

In 48 games played this season, Cogliano scored 13 goals and 23 points, and was a plus 14 rating for the Ducks. He’s never scored more than 18 goals in an NHL season, and had this been a a full 82 game season, he likely would have shattered his personal best in goals and points. When Cogliano was drafted by the Oilers, they expected him to be a key part of their organization moving forward. He was a speedy, skilled centre who could also play wing, but he never really seemed to fit in with the Oilers. His rookie season was his best stats wise, with 45 points over 82 games, but his totals dipped every year since then.

In 2009, the Oilers decided to package Cogliano in a trade deal that would send Dany Heatley to Edmonton, but Heatley refused to waive his no-trade clause, and the deal was nixed. At the trade deadline in 2011, the Oilers finally were able to trade Cogliano, the return being a second round draft pick. Despite being taken low in the first round, many felt Cogliano never really lived up to expectations, but his speed is proving to be a perfect fit in Anaheims high tempo system after a tough go in 2011-12

Cogliano notched 13 goals last season for the Ducks, and was able to equal that total in just over half the games this year. It’s safe to say he’s found his spot in the Anaheim and earned the praise of his head coach for working hard to  turn his game around for the better.

“To see the speed and the work ethic and his demeanor you think it would be there, but it wasn’t there (last season),” Boudreau said. “So there was something missing and whatever it was, he was smart enough to correct it. He’s now a player on our team that we really rely on. I think sometimes he just used his speed and went helter, skelter, all over the place (last season). Now he’s thinking the game a lot more and I think that comes with games maturity and playing a lot of games.” (Edmonton Sun)

For a team that relies a lot on their secondary scoring, Cogliano has found a role that he suits well. He has one more year on his contract before becoming a UFA. Depending on his play next season, he could be in line for a raise. Whether or not that’s with the Ducks remains to be seen, but he can be a valuable top nine forward in the NHL. Even though he’s not having that impact with the team that drafted him, you can’t help but cheer on a guy who’s hard work has reaped rewards. That’s what this game is all about.

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Marcy Di Michele

A hockey player, and huge sports fan, Marcy has worked as a Sports Journalist for the esteemed online magazine Suite 101 in addition to being a Lead Writer at the Hockey Writers.

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This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Corey Perry blame game? (Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE)

In the past, Detroits’ roster was stacked with future Hall Of Famers; Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, Nicklas Lindstrom, Tomas Holmstrom, and I can fire off an endless lists off all-stars that donned the Red Wing crest. The team known for it’s perennial players, it taking on a different path with some new faces. Now, the Wings rely heavily on mainly two highly-talented forwards; Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.

Anaheim, despite their recent success, will probably never compare to Hockey Town where winning isn’t just everything, it’s expected. However, with the Samuelis as their new owners, they’ve endeavored to keep the Ducks a playoff contender. Two monumental moves that prove that notion is the resigning of captain Ryan Getzlaf and 2011 Hart Trophy recipient Corey Perry; both being the heart of the team.

Unfortunately, Perry didn’t make much of an impact during this year’s playoffs, which I think was the deciding factor for the Ducks’ early first-round exit. There were a lot of young players who stepped up for Anaheim –Matt Beleskey, Kyle Palmieri, Nick Bonino– in addition to Getzlaf and Jonas Hiller putting out an honest effort. Perry’s inability to find the back of the net resulted in him only contributing with two assists in seven games against Detroit.

It wasn’t for an entire lack of effort.

Perry was buzzing around Jimmy Howard for the majority of the series –registering at least several shots a game– but he didn’t make those shots count. That was the difference. It doesn’t matter how many other teammates contribute. If a team doesn’t get production from their star player their season will be short-lived, which is why those specific players get paid the big bucks; to find ways to win when their team needs them.

The Ducks were successful in shutting down the Red Wings’ top forwards, but couldn’t contain them in final two games of the series. Datsyuk and Zetterberg came up big in those games and that’s when Detroit started planning their itinerary for Chicago. Datsyuk had a goal and three points in Game 6. Zetterberg had a pair of goals and an assist and then came up with two points in the final Game 7.

Zetterberg and Datsyuk came through for their team when it mattered the most. The games the two were held off the scoreboard, the Ducks’ young guns pulled through for Anaheim. What Anaheim needed and what they didn’t get was Perry stepping up. Imagine what a goal or a few extra points from Perry could have meant for the Ducks.

Thanks Corey for that early tee time.

While some Anaheim players are probably sporting some plaid shorts and solid colored polo’s, I hope that some of players are giving Corey Perry a hard time and not just of his golf ensemble.

For more information throughout the season follow me on twitter @m_drinnenberg and on Facebook here.

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Michelle Drinnenberg

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.

Emerson Etem Photo Credit: (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals

It’s unfortunate the Anaheim Ducks season came to a screeching halt on May 12^th; however; the Anaheim organization’s future is a bright one with explosive forward Emerson Etem.

Goaltending is the backbone of every NHL club, no matter the team. Fans should give a pat on the back to GM Bob Murray and the Ducks brass for picking up goaltender Viktor Fasth who made his North American debut this season at the age of 30.

After the Ducks hasty exit from the post-season and after emotions subsided with Anaheim fans, THW pounded the key board looking for fans thoughts on the 30-year-old goaltender and the new kid on the block 20-year-old Emerson Etem.

Jack Miceli, hockey blogger and founder of The Rant, sat down with THW correspondent Ted Warren and gave his two cents on Fasth and Etem.

                                                         Miceli On Fasth:

Viktor Fasth (Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)

“Great hockey player. Fifteen games in the season the Ducks brought him over. A million dollar contract in a shortened season. You’ve got to think really highly of a player who does that. “

Fasth kicked off his North American career with the Ducks top affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. The Admirals season ticket holder expressed his thoughts on his first impressions of Fasth,

“His first game, he seemed kind of shaky. It was like is he really worth the million dollars?  The shaky start came because it was his first time playing on North American ice. He wasn’t used to the faster pace. I don’t think he was ready for that, but that’s why he was in Norfolk.”

Miceli chimed on Fasth’s future, “Anaheim brought him in to be the number one. I think the only reason why Hiller is still number one right now is because Fasth was hurt. If you look on his progression of play before he got hurt, he was playing the majority of the games over Hiller.”

Jack On Emerson Etem

“Watching him in Norfolk at the beginning of the season you saw the speed, you saw the skill, but his mind was going too fast for his feet. He knew what he was trying to do, but his body wouldn’t go fast enough.  You’ll never see him in the AHL again. He needs to work on his physical game. He’s a big dude now. He needs to bulk up. He needs to work on his ice vision. I don’t think he does not see the shot, it’s maybe more of a confidence thing. He thinks he can’t make that shot, but I know the skill is there. I watched video of him when he was in Juniors. He’s good enough. He’ll become a first-line player in two years when the older guys step aside. He’ll be moving in-between first-line and second-line. If the Ducks want to keep him, he’ll be really good trading power for the future.  In addition, he can dangle like I’ve never seen players dangle before, the second only to ex-Admiral Richard Panik.”

It’s as if Jack owns a crystal ball when it comes to predicting a prospect’s future. The Chicago native’s knowledge about hockey is second to none.  Make sure to follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jackmiceli

Follow Ted @bauerhockeydude

Watch Emerson Etem’s game winning goal 12/22/12

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Ted Warren

Ted grew up in Virginia. Warren has a passion for the AHL and dishes out articles about the Norfolk Admirals and the AHL. Follow him on Twitter @bauerhockeydude

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.