The Ducks will host the San Jose Sharks in a pair of Futures games this weekend. Game one will be held on Saturday at Anaheim Ice with a 5pm start. Game two is scheduled for 6pm on Sunday and will be played at the Honda Center. Admission is five dollars.
Many of the Ducks up and coming prospects are on the roster including Nick Ritchie, Shea Theodore, Rickard Rackell, Nick Kerdiles and William Karlsson. Aside from the big names there are a few dark horse players to watch that may be unfamiliar.
Stefan Noesen, LW
Noesen was chosen 21st overall in 2011, nine spots ahead of Rackell. He was part of the package the Ducks received from Ottawa in the Bobby Ryan deal. The Texan was due to start the season in Norfolk last year but missed all but two regular season games due to torn ligaments in his knee. When he was able play, he scored four points in four playoff games for the Admirals. Although he is only 21, he needs to show something now. The Ducks are very deep at LW and he is probably the third best on the futures roster behind Ritchie and Kerdiles.
Igor Bobkov, G
Bobkov really is the odd man out in the goalie shuffle. The 2009 third round played well with the Duck's ECHL affiliate in Utah last year, earning himself ten games in Norfolk. He is playing to impress not only the Ducks, but also another team in need of goalie depth, because his path to the NHL is blocked in Anaheim. It wouldn't be a surprise if he heads to the KHL when his contract is up at the end of the year.
Kenton Helgesen, LW
Helgesen put up 51 points for the Calgary Hitmen last season as a defenseman. Its interesting that he is listed as a left wing on the roster. At 6'3…, 187 lbs, the former seventh round pick in 2011 certainly has room to fill out his lanky frame. Unfortunately at 20 yrs old with a slew of talented left wings and defensemen in the system he is running low on time to do so.
Max Friberg, LW
Here is another in a long line of talented Scandinavian players that the Ducks are so fond of. He was selected in the third round of the 2011 draft. Last season he was the third leading scorer I Norfolk last season and has been steadily improving his game with age. At 5'11… he is the shortest forward on the Futures roster
Ryan Faragher and Etienne Marcoux, G
Both of these goalies are recent free agent signings.
One aspect of the roster that stands out to me is that all of the forwards on it are listed as either centers or left wings. It will be interesting to see how some of the young players adjust to the right side.
-Ed