Most everyone in NHL circles is aware of the likes of Anaheim Duck Bobby Ryan's breakout year, Columbus netminder Steve Mason's closed-door tactics for the Blue Jackets, St. Louis' 'Kid Line' production, and how Blake Wheeler was a carefully laid piece to the Bruin's reversal in this year's playoff seeding.  But many overlook the plethora of contributions felt league-wide, and the Stanley Cup playoffs take their toll on every player and team.

 

Chiller Instinct will take the time to provide you with a look at the rookie involvement of every playoff team going into the second season, next year.  For now, take a peek at CI's featured match-up in the West - the #8 seed Anaheim Ducks versus the #1 seed San Jose Sharks.  These rookies could shape the series from more than just the press box, in the true traditional 'black ace' fashion.

 

 

 

 

Strapping winger Troy Bodie (24 years old, 6'4", 196 lbs) has been called up, to provide the Ducks with two young wingers, complimenting first-year pro, Matt Beleskey (6'0", 202 lbs).  Bodie has accumulated 27 points and 105 PIM in 71 games with Iowa (AHL) and has earned a few call-ups this year.  No points to speak for thus far in 4 games, Bodie has taken 5 shots and registered an even +/- rating, while averaging just over 8 minutes per appearance.  Beleskey was a star in the OHL the past couple seasons with Belleville and can dominate games.

 

Lightning fast 26 year-old rookie Andrew Ebbett has blossomed in the wake of Brendan Morrison's departure.  The diminutive centreman (5'10", 174 lbs) is a bit over matched in the faceoff circle, but can produce points at a nice clip.  32 points in 48 games bodes well, but even more impressive is his +8 rating. 

 

The toughness of rookie Mike Brown (6'0", 210 lbs) was brought in from Vancouver and his industrious nature may make him the only 'ace' to crack the opening night roster for Anaheim.  Definitely not a scoring threat, unless you mean the first or second round in the squared circle.

 

Petri Kontiola (6'0", 197 lbs) is another centre that brings exuberance to the lower lines.  Kontiola's puck skills were overshadowed in Chicago before the trade; his AHL All-Star nod was eye-opening, if only for the fact that the 24 year-old Finn scored more points last year, his AHL rookie campaign. 

 

Petteri Wirtanen ( 6'1", 207 lbs) has increased his goal and point totals in the AHL with Anaheim's affiliates every year over the past three.  The 22 year-old finished with 41 points with the Iowa Chops.  Character is what his game is all about with two-way fore and back checking and reliability up front.

 

 

The defense tandem of Brett Festerling (6'1", 201 lbs) and Brendan Mikkelson (6'2", 180 lbs) are seemingly joined at the hip.  Both have cut their teeth at the AHL level the past two seasons, logging a lot of time, playing complimentary styles.  Festerling is a stay-at-home, rugged rearguard who captained the WHL's Vancouver Giants, along with the smooth skating, puck distributing Mikkelson, to the Memorial Cup Championship in 2006.  Both have played numerous games for the Ducks this season and provide Anaheim with incredible depth on the blueline.

 

Brian Salcido (6'2", 188 lbs) has been added to the roster and will likely yield to other choices.  Accomplishing everything asked of him in both the college and AHL levels, Salcido is a versatile offensive defenseman.  AHL All-Star last season has been neutralized rather easily by force in his two NHL games, but uses guile to match this.

 

 

J.P Lavasseur has a lot of skill to build upon, but consistency issues never seem to fade away from the former QMJHL and ECHL star.  His presence on the team may provide a stimulus to those higher on the food chain, but he has yet to show he is ready for NHL action.

 

 

versus 

 

 

 

Left winger Jamie McGinn (6'0", 185 lbs) has seen his fair share of duty this year with the Sharks and saw a significant increase in his ice-time during his final 18 games, registering 22 shots and 3 points and a -1 rating over that time.  The former Ottawa 67 (OHL) sees virtually no special teams time at all and holds down a fourth line role on an elite team.  His skill is evident in the fact that his industrious nature provides team-mates with scoring chances and he can be duly counted on to be responsible defensively.  McGinn tallied 30 points (19 goals) in what is his first full professional year with Worcester (AHL), and in only 47 contests between NHL shifts.  At 20 years old, McGinn is a key member of the future in San Jose, keep an eye on him.

 

Tomas Plihal (6'1", 210 lbs) provides San Jose with another reliable, inexpensive forward that has grown up from the farm and is so critical to building a championship calibre team.  A former Memorial Cup Champion with the Kootenay Ice in 2001-02, the 26 year-old Plihal is not producing points at a rate imagined when the Sharks drafted him.  The Sharks utilize the Czech-born centre in a faceoff specialty role (52.8%, 131 won of 248).