The Finnish Flash Is Back

  The Finnish Flash, veteran superstar Teemu Selanne, has answered the prayers of hockey fans around the globe by deciding to hold off on his retirement and come back for at least one more year. The 41 year old signed a one year contract with the Anaheim Ducks worth $4 million on Thursday – money well spent.

  The veteran had a successful surgically repaired knee on the off-season, a great worry among the Ducks organization and NHL fans alike. Skating is a huge part of Temmu Selanne’s game, but then again he’s better than most on one leg.

"I really feel like I can still play at the same level I played at in the past," Selanne said. "If you can't do that, you can't enjoy the game as much, and there would be no way I'd come back. The main factor for me is that I can be healthy, my knee is OK to play at this level, and I can use my speed and play at my level."

  Since winning the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, Selanne has contemplated retirement for the past four years. Each off-season the hockey world holds its’ collective breath as to whether or not he will return, and each off-season he has re-signed to a one year contract. This year is no different in terms of contract length, nor will we escape the dreadful thought of his retirement at the end of the year, but this past season was different for Selanne.

"Last year was so much fun," Selanne said. "In the past summers, I've been thinking about whether I still wanted to play hockey. This summer it was clear that I wanted to play hockey, but the question was whether I could. We have a good team, and I've been so lucky to play with great players. I've enjoyed hockey so much, especially since the lockout. The passion for the game is still here, and I'm still excited."

  This past season was better than average for the Finn. In 73 outings with the Ducks last year, he tallied 31 goals and 49 assists for 80 points, 8th best in the league. He also finished 3rd in the league in powerplay goals (16), and his points total was the 3rd highest in history amongst NHL players past their 40th birthday.

  Good numbers are never a surprise when the name Teemu Selanne is the topic. His success is well documented through his career. After being drafted 10th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets Selanne opened with a bang as he easily attained the Calder Memorial Trophy and blew everyone’s doors off with 76 goals and 132 points in his first 84 NHL games. Through 19 years, nearly two decades, Selanne has amassed 637 goals and 703 assists for1,340 points in 1,259 games. H has been selected for 10 NHL All-Star Games, played in 5 Olympics for his country of Finland, and won many illustrious trophies in his career. After attaining the Calder Memorial Trophy Selanne would take a Maurice "Rocket" Richard and Bill Masterson Trophy, two Bronze Medals and one Silver Medal in the Olympics. The moment when even Ottawa Senators (losers of the 2007 Stanley Cup Championship) fans had a warm fuzzy feeling inside, was when Selanne finally got to raise the Stanley Cup. A champion’s name was etched into history.

  He currently ranks 27th in NHL history with 1,340 points, and He 14th in goals with 637. Selanne is unsurprisingly the club’s leading scorer, having spent the better part of 12 season’s with the Ducks. He played just over three and a half seasons with the Winnipeg Jets prior to his arrival in Anaheim, a little over two years with Sane Jose and one year with Colorado.

"As he showed again last season, Teemu still has the drive, determination, and skill to play at an elite level," Ducks general manager Bob Murray said. "Most importantly for us, his passion comes from not just playing, but playing for the Ducks."

  Teemu does have some motivation to come back as his Ducks team has been on the rise as of late. The team rallied in the second half of the year and finished fourth best in the Western Conference. The team benefits greatly from having Selanne, and with names like League MVP and goals leader Corey Perry, captain Ryan Getzlaf, and young talent Bobby Ryan on the team the offense is scary.

  The Ducks kick off their 2010-2011 year in Helsinki, Finland against Jokerit in a friendly match, Selanne’s former club and native home town and country. Many believe this was a scheduling ploy to get Selanne back on board for another year. Whether it’s true or not, I know for myself and anyone who loves hockey; we’re all glad it worked.

- Kendall Grubbs