Sunday, October 14, 2001
Ducks appear set in goal
By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Injuries and roster moves forced the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks to use 12 different goalies last season. Sometimes, those goalies arrived so late from other cities, the other Ducks players didn't even know their names.
This year, the Ducks began the season well-heeled with goalies. It points to the quality of play in the lone Triple-A hockey league this season, the American Hockey League, with the International Hockey League having folded this past offseason.
The Ducks have:
• Ilja Bryzgalov, 21, from Russia, a second-round draft choice of Anaheim, who is said to have skills that, once developed, will put him into the class of such NHL luminaries as Patrick Roy, Curtis Joseph and Martin Brodeur.
• Gregg Naumenko, 24, an AHL All-Star two years ago, is rated an outstanding prospect.
• Jason Elliott, 25, the No.3 goalie on the Detroit Red Wings' depth chart, is a Detroit injury away from being called up to the big club.
While the Cincinnati Cyclones talk about bringing an NHL team to town someday, it's the Ducks who showcase soon-to-be NHL talent. Nine Ducks from last season's team started this season on NHL teams; over the past four seasons, 41 Ducks have gone on to play in the NHL.
Sports Stories
'Battle of Ohio' matters for a change
Key to game: Get ahead
DAUGHERTY: Not much of a rivalry anymore
Webb faced with stopping McKenzie
Who's got the edge?
Browns-Bengals by the numbers
Warren's trip to N.Y. eye-opening
Picking the winners
NFL power ratings
UC 31, Alabama-Birmingham 17
Dream becomes reality for UC walk-ons
Martin, Big'O' share spotlight
Matta calls surprise midnight practice
XU scraps blue, gray jerseys
PREP FOOTBALL PAGE
Covington Catholic 43, Scott 0
Ohio football scores
How Ohio's Top 10 fared
Ducks appear set in goal
