Mighty Ducks Season In Review

Published on April 15, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Cincinnati RailRaiders News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks attracted a franchise record 218,384 fans in their fifth American Hockey League season, as the club posted an overall record of 33-33-11-3 for 80 points (.500 winning percentage, third in Central Division, 10th in Western Conference) and qualified for a berth in the Calder Cup playoffs for the second consecutive season and for third time in the last four years.

Cincinnati continued its strong tradition of developing players for the National Hockey League, as 13 different players were called up by the parent Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Detroit Red Wings during the season. One of the best success stories was center Andy McDonald, who was called up December 1 by Anaheim and went on to finish tied for eighth in rookie scoring in the NHL with 28 points (7 goals, 21 assists) in 53 games.

The hope, potential and promise the team had carried for much of the season came to an abrupt end April 11 when the Ducks were eliminated by the Chicago Wolves, two games to one, in a best-of-three Western Conference Qualifying round playoff series. Despite an early exit from post-season play, the future for the Ducks looks very bright with several of the top young prospects that dotted the roster during the season – Ilja Bryzgalov, Ben Guite, Peter Podhradsky and Jarrett Smith – expected to return. In addition, there will be several new and exciting young NHL prospects joining the team as the Ducks enter their sixth season in the AHL, the premier professional development league in the world.

Following is a look at some of the noteworthy team statistics and storylines from the 2001-2002 season:

- The Ducks spent the following days alone or tied at each position in the AHL Central Division standings: FIRST – 34, SECOND – 86, THIRD – 27, FOURTH – 35.

- Cincinnati used 46 players this season, including a franchise record 43 different skaters.

- The Ducks shattered the club record for the best penalty kill in franchise history, allowing just 47 opposition power-play goals in 357 shorthanded situations (86.6 percent, second in AHL). The previous franchise record for the fewest power-play goals allowed in a season was 62, set by the 1999-2000 team.

- The Ducks shattered the club record for the best penalty kill in franchise history, allowing just 47 opposition power-play goals in 357 shorthanded situations (86.6 percent, second in AHL). The previous franchise record for the fewest power-play goals allowed in a season was 62, set by the 1999-2000 team.

- The Ducks finished the 2001-2002 season as the top defensive club in franchise history. The club surrendered only 211 goals in 80 games for a 2.64 team goals-against average. The previous franchise record for the fewest goals-against was 240 for a 3.00 team goals-against average, set by the 2000-2001 team.

- The Ducks scored nearly half of their goals this season in the second period (88-of-216, 40.7 percent). By comparison, they tallied 27.3 percent (59) of their goals in the first period and 29.6 percent (64) in the third.

- Rookie goaltender Ilja Bryzgalov picked up a bronze medal as a member of Team Russia at the 2002 Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament in Salt Lake. He went 20-16-4 with a 2.48 goals-against average, four shutouts and .916 save percentage in 45 games with Cincinnati this season, becoming just the third netminder in franchise history to record 20-or-more victories in a season.

- With Ilja Bryzgalov's 25-save, 4-0 shutout February 9 at Albany, the Ducks tied the franchise record for most shutouts in a season with five (Bryzgalov four, Jason Elliott one). The club also posted five shutouts in 1998-99 (Tom Askey three, Jamie Ram two).

- Right wing Steve Brule was named the Fifth Third Bank Mighty Ducks Player of the Year for the 2001-2002 season. Brule recorded a club-high 63 points (21 goals, 42 assists) in 77 games. He led the club in shots (250), first goals (four) and game-winning goals (two), while adding six power-play goals and three game-winning goals. A seven-year pro, Brule compiled a season-high, seven-game point streak March 16-29 and had two six-game point streaks (December 2-21 and January 23-February 3).

- Defenseman and team captain Aris Brimanis was the club's nomination for the Fred T. Hunt Award, presented annually to the AHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.

- Right wing Bruce Richardson was named the club's HG Insurance/K&K Insurance/AHL Man of the Year. The award honors the player who made the greatest commitment to his community and charitable organizations.

- Cincinnati AHL alumni accounted for 108 goals and 197 assists in 1,311 man-games played in the NHL this season.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2002


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