Anaheim Mighty Ducks

Mike Babcock -- Head Coach

Age: 40
Career coaching record: 40-27-9-6
Named the sixth coach in team history on May 22, he guided the Mighty Ducks to the best record in team history. The 26-point turnaround was the seventh-best increase by a first-year coach. Hired after two seasons with the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Cincinnati, where he was 74-66-20. Before that, spent eight seasons in the Western Hockey League with Moose Jaw and Spokane. Coached Canada to a gold medal at the 1997 World Junior Championship. Played junior hockey in the WHL in 1980-81 and 1982-83, then spent four seasons as a defenseman at McGill University, where he served as team captain.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere – Goaltender

No. 35 Age: 26 Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 199
2002-03 stats: GP: 65 GA: 2.30 SV PCTG: .920 W-L-T: 34-22-6
Playoff stats: GP: 14 GA: 1.22 SV PCTG: .960 W-L: 12-2
The unquestioned favorite for the Conn Smythe Trophy, even if Anaheim does not win the Stanley Cup. "Jiggy" tops every statistical category - wins (12), shutouts (4), goals-against average (1.22) and save percentage (1.22). Against Minnesota in the Western Conference finals, he became the first goaltender in 58 years to open a playoff series with three straight shutouts. He ran his shutout streak to 217 minutes, 54 seconds, making it the fifth-longest in postseason history. Had another shutout streak of 237:07 during the regular season, which was the third-longest in league history. Broke Guy Hebert's single-season team records for wins (34) and shutouts (8). Tied for fifth in the NHL in wins and tied for second in shutouts. Has given up more than two goals just three times in 14 games in his first-ever postseason. His overtime shutout streak of 160:49 is the second-longest in playoff history. Opened the postseason with six wins, coming within one of the longest streak to start a career in NHL history. Is the first goalie in the post-expansion era to record at least 60 saves twice in the same playoff year. Acquired from Calgary on June 10, 2000 for a second-round draft pick.

Martin Gerber – Goaltender

No. 29 Age: 28 Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 195
2002-03 stats: GP: 22 GA: 1.95 SV PCTG: .929 W-L-T: 6-11-3
Playoff stats: GP: 2 GA: 3.00 SV PCTG: .833 W-L: 0-0
Member of the Swiss team at the 2002 Olympics has made just two postseason appearances. He spelled Jean-Sebastien Giguere for two seconds in Game Two of the Western Conference semifinals at Dallas and played the third period in Game Five of the same series. During the season, he led NHL goaltenders by allowing two goals or fewer in 83 percent (15-of-18) of his starts. From January 3-March 13, he went 10 straight games without yielding more than two goals.

Fredrik Olausson – Defenseman

No. 2 Age: 36 Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 195
2002-03 stats: GP: 44 G: 2 A: 6 PTS: 8 PIM: 22 +/-: E
Playoff stats: GP: 1 G: 0 A: 0 PTS: 0 PIM: 0 +/-: E
Making his second straight Stanley Cup Finals appearance after winning elusive championship with Detroit. Signed as a free agent last July, beginning his third stint with Anaheim. Still holds single-season team records for goals (16), assists (40) and points (56). Ranks second among defensemen on the team's all-time scoring list. Appeared in his 1,000th NHL game on December 11, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat in a Ducks uniform. Lone postseason appearance came in Game Six of the conference semifinals, when he logged just 3 minutes, 19 seconds.

Keith Carney – Defenseman

No. 3 Age: 33 Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 217
2002-03 stats: GP: 81 G: 4 A: 18 PTS: 22 PIM: 65 +/-: +8
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 0 A: 2 PTS: 2 PIM: 10 +/-: +4

Leads team in average ice time at 28 minutes, 1 second. He logged 56:20 in five-overtime marathon in Game One of the Western Conference quarterfinals at Dallas. Two-assist effort in Game Four of the conference quarterfinals was his third career postseason multi-point game. Carries a 24-game playoff scoring drought into the Stanley Cup Finals. His last postseason goal came for Phoenix in Game Two of the 1999 conference quarterfinals. Has had a plus or even rating in all but two playoff games this year.

Vitaly Vishnevski – Defenseman

No. 5 Age: 23 Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 203
2002-03 stats: GP: 80 G: 2 A: 6 PTS: 8 PIM: 76 +/-: -8
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 0 A: 1 PTS: 1 PIM: 6 +/-: E

Picked up his first career postseason point with an assist in Game Three of the Western Conference finals. Has registered a shot in just two playoff games. Selected fifth overall in 1998, he is one of eight first-round draft picks in the Ducks' lineup. Established career highs during the regular season for goals (2) and games (80). Scored first career shorthanded goal on March 7 against Edmonton. During the 2000-01 season, he switched to No. 5 from No. 6. Named top defenseman at the 1999 World Junior Championships.

Sandis Ozolinsh – Defenseman

No. 8 Age: 30 Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 215
2002-03 stats: GP: 82 G: 12 A: 32 PTS: 44 PIM: 44 +/-: -6
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 1 A: 4 PTS: 5 PIM: 10 +/-: +9

Lone playoff goal came with 66 seconds left in the third period against Dallas and won the sixth and final game of the Western Conference semifinals. One of three Ducks with a Stanley Cup ring, he won a championship with Colorado in 1996, when he led all defensemen in scoring with five goals and 14 assists. Also was top scoring defenseman in the 1997 playoffs with four goals and 13 assists. One of general manager Bryan Murray's midseason acquisitions, he was obtained from Florida during the All-Star break with D Lance Ward for C Matt Cullen, D Pavel Trnka and a fourth-round draft pick. Was voted as a starter to the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Since breaking into the NHL in 1992, he trails just Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings for playoff goals among defensemen. On March 4, became the seventh European-born to record his 500th assist. Also has played for San Jose and Carolina. Collected four assists in his lone appearance for Latvia at the 2002 Olympics.

Paul Kariya – Left Wing

No. 9 Age: 28 Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 182
2002-03 stats: GP: 82 G: 25 A: 56 PTS: 81 PIM: 48 +/-: -3
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 5 A: 3 PTS: 8 PIM: 4 +/-: -1
Ducks' captain since the 1996-97 season, he holds team records for goals (300), assists (369), points (669), shots (2,455), game-winning goals (44), power-play goals (107) and shorthanded goals (16) in a career. One of two Hobey Baker Award winners on the Ducks, he was named college hockey's top player in 1992 at Maine. Anaheim drafted him with the fourth overall pick in 1993. Notched his second career playoff overtime goal, scoring in triple OT to defeat Detroit in Game One of the Western Conference quarterfinals. Scored just two goals in the next 11 contests, then tallied twice against Minnesota in Game Three of the conference finals. Named to his seventh straight All-Star Game, he scored a shootout goal against Patrick Lalime that helped the Western Conference win. Played all 82 games for the second straight season and the fourth time in his career. Led the team in scoring for the fourth straight season and the sixth time in his career. Teemu Selanne and Terry Yake are the only others to accomplish the feat. Won the Lady Byng Trophy as the NHL's most gentlemanly player in 1996 and 1997. Was a First Team NHL All-Star in 1996, 1997 and 1999. Played for Canada at the 2002 Olympics and scored the first goal in the victory over the United States in the gold medal game. Younger brother, Steve, plays in New Jersey's minor league system.

Jason Krog – Center

No. 10 Age: 27 Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 189
2002-03 stats: GP: 67 G: 10 A: 15 PTS: 25 PIM: 12 +/-: +1
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 3 A: 1 PTS: 4 PIM: 2 +/-: +2
Anaheim's other Hobey Baker Award winner, he was the top player in college hockey in 1999 at New Hampshire. Carries a nine-game scoring drought into the Stanley Cup Finals but netted the tying tally in Game Two of the Western Conference quarterfinals at Detroit. Also scored in Game Four of that series and notched the first goal in Game One of the conference semifinals at Dallas. Has won 59 percent of his faceoffs over the last nine games. Signed as a free agent last July, he established career highs in all offensive categories with 10 goals and 15 assists in 67 games. Was second in the NHL during the regular season with a faceoff percentage of .604. Started the season in the American Hockey League but was recalled for good on November 11. Scored two goals in 28 games over three seasons with the New York Islanders.

Marc Chouinard – Center

No. 11 Age: 26 Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 218
2002-03 stats: GP: 70 G: 3 A: 4 PTS: 7 PIM: 40 +/-: -9
Playoff stats: GP: 8 G: 0 A: 0 PTS: 0 PIM: 0 +/-: -1
Did not appear in the Western Conference finals against Minnesota and has been a healthy scratch six times in 14 playoff games. Still seeking his first career postseason point. Is averaging 6 minutes, 47 seconds of ice time. Scored his first career shorthanded goal on November 12 against New Jersey. Established career highs during the regular season with 70 games and 40 penalty minutes. Missed three games from January 5-9 due to a strained neck and slight concussion. Acquired from Winnipeg in the Teemu Selanne trade on February 7, 1996. Switched his uniform number from 32 following the acquisition of Steve Thomas.

Mike Leclerc – Left Wing

No. 12 Age: 26 Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 215
2002-03 stats: GP: 57 G: 9 A: 19 PTS: 28 PIM: 34 +/-: -8
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 2 A: 8 PTS: 10 PIM: 4 +/-: +8
Has had a hand in seven of the Ducks' last eight game-winning goals, scoring 1:44 into overtime in Game Two of the Western Conference semifinals at Dallas and on the power play with 1:47 left in the third period in Game Four of the same series. Set up both power-play goals by Adam Oates in Game Four of the conference finals against Minnesota. Is tied with Oates for the team scoring lead with two goals and eight assists. Missed 25 games during the season due to elbow and knee injuries. Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in November. Set a team record for the fastest overtime goal on February 12 when he scored 10 seconds into the extra period to defeat Calgary. Scored a career-high 20 goals in 2001-02, when he was one of three Ducks to appear in all 82 games.

Steve Rucchin -- Center

No. 20 Age: 31 Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 212
2002-03 stats: GP: 82 G: 20 A: 38 PTS: 58 PIM: 12 +/-: -14
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 4 A: 3 PTS: 7 PIM: 2 +/-: E
Has spent his entire nine-year career with the Ducks and ranks third in goals (133), assists (256) and points (389) and second in games (534). Played all 82 games for the first time in his career and reached the 20-goal mark for the second time. Scored the winning goal in Game Three of the Western Conference finals against Minnesota. Scored 6:53 into overtime to complete the four-game sweep of Detroit in the conference quarterfinals. Tied a career best with a seven-game points streak from October 24-November 6. Set a team playoff record with three assists in Game One of the 1999 conference quarterfinals. Missed the final 50 games of the 2000-01 season due to a concussion after taking a puck to the face. On January 22, joined Paul Kariya as the only players to appear in their 500th NHL game in a Ducks' uniform. Selected second overall in the 1994 supplemental draft out of the University of Western Ontario.

Dan Bylsma – Left Wing

No. 21 Age: 32 Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 212
2002-03 stats: GP: 39 G: 1 A: 4 PTS: 5 PIM: 12 +/-: -1
Playoff stats: GP: 4 G: 0 A: 1 PTS: 1 PIM: 0 +/-: +1
Was a healthy scratch for Anaheim's first 10 playoff games before seeing limited action in each contest during the Western Conference finals. Recorded his first career postseason point with an assist on defenseman Kurt Sauer's game-winning shorthanded goal in Game Two at Minnesota. Missed 30 games during the season due to a bruised left knee. Played his 400th NHL game on December 11 against Washington. Spent parts of five seasons with Los Angeles before signing with Anaheim as a free agent in July 2000. Has written four books with his father, Jay, including "So You Want to Play in the NHL?"

Alexei Smirnov – Left Wing

No. 22 Age: 21 Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 218
2002-03 stats: GP: 44 G: 3 A: 2 PTS: 5 PIM: 18 +/-: -1
Playoff stats: GP: 4 G: 0 A: 0 PTS: 0 PIM: 2 +/-: E
Rookie was a healthy scratch 10 times before making his playoff debut in Game One of the Western Conference finals at Minnesota. Logged just 1 minutes, 45 seconds in Game Three of that series and is averaging 4:21 of ice time in the postseason. Split his first season between Anaheim and Cincinnati of the American Hockey League. Had a goal and an assist in his NHL debut on October 10 at St. Louis. The Ducks selected him with the 12th overall pick in the 2000 draft.

Stanislav Chistov – Right Wing

No. 23 Age: 20 Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 195
2002-03 stats: GP: 79 G: 12 A: 18 PTS: 30 PIM: 54 +/-: +4
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 4 A: 1 PTS: 5 PIM: 6 +/-: +7
Rookie has had an even or plus rating in all 14 playoff games. Scored his first career postseason goal in Game Two of the Western Conference quarterfinals at Detroit, then netted the game-winner early in the third period of Game Three. Set a team rookie record during the season by playing 79 games, breaking Ladislav Kohn's 1999-2000 mark. His 12 goals and 30 points were the second-highest totals for an Anaheim rookie behind Paul Kariya. Appeared in the YoungStars Game at NHL All-Star Weekend but did not record a point. Collected a goal and three assists in his NHL debut, becoming the youngest player in league history to notch at least four points in his first game. Selected fifth overall in the 2001 draft.

Ruslan Salei – Defenseman

No. 24 Age: 28 Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 205
2002-03 stats: GP: 61 G: 4 A: 8 PTS: 12 PIM: 78 +/-: +2
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 1 A: 3 PTS: 4 PIM: 18 +/-: +5
Scored first career playoff goal in Game Six of the Western Conference semifinals against Dallas. Set up Mike Leclerc's game-winning power-play goal in Game Four of the series, which he closed with a three-game points streak. Missed 20 games during the season due to back ailments. On December 28, he became the first defenseman in team history to appear in 400 games. Was the NHL player on the Belarus team that stunned Sweden in the 2002 Olympic hockey tournament. Learned English while playing for the Las Vegas Thunder of the now-defunct International Hockey League in 1995-96. Selected ninth overall in the 1996 draft.

Samuel Pahlsson -- Center

No. 26 Age: 25 Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 208
2002-03 stats: GP: 34 G: 4 A: 11 PTS: 15 PIM: 18 +/-: +10
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 1 A: 3 PTS: 4 PIM: 8 +/-: +4
Has had a plus or even rating in each of the last nine games. Has won 56.5 percent of his faceoffs over the last eight contests. Scored his first career playoff goal in Game Three of the Western Conference quarterfinals against Detroit. Tied Steve Thomas for the team lead during the regular season with a plus-10 rating. The Ducks were 21-9-2-2 after he was recalled from Cincinnati of the American Hockey League on January 21. Was traded from Colorado to Boston in March 2000 in the deal that sent Ray Bourque to the Avalanche. Anaheim obtained him from the Bruins in November 2000 for defenseman Patrick Traverse and left wing Andrei Nazarov.

Niclas Havelid -- Defenseman

No. 28 Age: 30 Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 197
2002-03 stats: GP: 82 G: 11 A: 22 PTS: 33 PIM: 30 +/-: +5
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 0 A: 3 PTS: 3 PIM: 2 +/-: +1
Recorded his third assist of the playoffs on Adam Oates' tying goal in Game Four of the Western Conference finals against Minnesota. Made his NHL playoff debut in Game One of the conference quarterfinals at Detroit and set up Paul Kariya's game-winner in triple overtime. Set career highs in all statistical categories and led Ducks' defensemen in games (82), goals (11), assists (22) and points (33). His five game-winning goals placed him third among NHL defensemen and tied Oleg Tverdovsky's team record. Won a gold medal with Sweden at the 1998 World Championships. Five years earlier, was teammates with Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund at the World Junior Championships.

Steve Thomas – Right Wing

No. 32 Age: 39 Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 188
2002-03 stats: GP: 81 G: 14 A: 16 PTS: 30 PIM: 53 +/-: +10
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 2 A: 4 PTS: 6 PIM: 4 +/-: +6
One of GM Bryan Murray's key acquisitions at the March 11 trade deadline, coming over from Chicago for a fifth-round draft pick. Had just four goals in 69 games for the Blackhawks, then scored 10 times in 12 games with the Ducks. Scored the winning goal with 4:14 left in the third period in Game Two of the Western Conference quarterfinals at Detroit. Had a goal and two assists in Game Six of the conference semifinals against Dallas. On April 1, he set an NHL record with his 13th career regular-season overtime goal. Earlier in that game, he beat Nashville G Tomas Vokoun on his first career penalty shot. On March 13, he became just the fifth player since 1980-81 to score the winning goal in his first two games with a new team. Scored his 400th NHL goal on February 17 against Colorado and G Patrick Roy. Has appeared in more playoff games (161) than anyone on the Ducks' roster.

Kurt Sauer – Defenseman

No. 34 Age: 22 Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 219
2002-03 stats: GP: 80 G: 1 A: 2 PTS: 3 PIM: 74 +/-: -23
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 1 A: 1 PTS: 2 PIM: 4 +/-: +7
Has enjoyed a spectacular turnaround in the playoffs with a plus-7 rating after compiling a minus-23 rating during the regular season. Equaled his regular-season total with a shorthanded game-winning goal in Game Two of the Western Conference finals at Minnesota. Has had a plus or even rating in all but one of 14 playoff games. Set a team rookie record by playing 80 games. Missed two games from February 25-26 to be with his wife, Carmen, for the birth of the couple's first child. Scored his first NHL goal on March 9 against Detroit. Selected by Colorado in the third round of the 2000 draft, he signed with Anaheim as a free agent on June 6, 2002.

Petr Sykora – Right Wing

No. 39 Age: 26 Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 191
2002-03 stats: GP: 82 G: 34 A: 25 PTS: 59 PIM: 24 +/-: -7
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 2 A: 6 PTS: 8 PIM: 8 +/-: +4
Has made his two playoff goals count. Scored 48 seconds into fifth overtime to defeat Dallas in Game One of the Western Conference semifinals. Scored 8:06 into double overtime to defeat Minnesota in Game One of the conference finals. Is one short of tying the NHL record for overtime goals in one playoff year. Recorded a postseason career-high three assists in Game Two at Dallas. Won a championship with New Jersey in 2000 and returned to the Stanley Cup Finals the following year, when he totaled 10 goals and 12 assists in 25 games. Acquired from the Devils last July, he played all 82 games for the first time in his career and led the team in goals (34), shots (299) and game-winning goals (5). His goal total was the highest in team history by someone other than Paul Kariya or Teemu Selanne. Played for the Czech Republic at the 2002 Olympics and scored one goal in four games. Selected with the 18th overall pick in the 1995 draft.

Rob Niedermayer – Center

No. 44 Age: 28 Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 205
2002-03 stats: GP: 66 G: 10 A: 12 PTS: 22 PIM: 57 +/-: -10
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 3 A: 5 PTS: 8 PIM: 14 +/-: E
Another key acquisition at the trade deadline, coming over from Calgary for D Mike Commodore and G J.F. Damphousse. Has points in seven of his last 12 games, totaling three goals and five assists. Shares the league lead with two shorthanded goals, one shy of tying the NHL record for one playoff year. Also reached the Stanley Cup Finals with the Florida Panthers in 1996. The Ducks are 19-4-1-2 since he was obtained. Selected fifth overall in the 1993 draft, one pick behind Paul Kariya. Older brother, Scott, has won two Stanley Cups with New Jersey. Won a gold medal with Canada at the 1993 World Junior Championships.

Adam Oates – Center

No. 77 Age: 40 Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 190
2002-03 stats: GP: 67 G: 9 A: 36 PTS: 45 PIM: 16 +/-: -1
Playoff stats: GP: 14 G: 4 A: 6 PTS: 10 PIM: 2 +/-: +3
Scored both goals in clinching win over Minnesota in Game Four of the Western Conference finals. Has five points in his last four games, matching his production for his first 10 playoff contests. Is one of five Ducks who have appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals, losing in four games with Washington in 1998. Among players who have appeared in at least 10 postseason games, ranks second with a 60.8 faceoff percentage. Ranks sixth all-time with 1,063 assists, trailing only Wayne Gretzky, Ron Francis, Ray Bourque, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey. Passed Jari Kurri on March 24 to move into 15th place on the all-time scoring list. Has missed the playoffs just three times in an 18-year career. Five-time nominee for the Lady Byng Trophy as the league's most gentlemanly player. Formed lethal combination with Brett Hull in St. Louis, totaling 79 assists in 1989-90 and 90 assists the following season. In Boston, helped set up Cam Neely, registering a career-high 97 assists in 1992-93 and 80 the following season. Has 12 assists in five All-Star Game appearances, just one off the NHL record. Twice contributed four All-Star assists and in 1991 totaled five points, one short of the record. Signed with Anaheim as a free agent last July but missed 15 games after suffering a broken hand on October 24 at Vancouver.

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