Archive: 20 Years Ago, Ducks' Workhorse Goalie Giguere Wrote About Rooting for the Underdog

Longtime NHL goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere enjoyed a 16-season career in hockey’s best league. And in this major feature from The Hockey News’ April 27, 2004 edition (Vol. 57, Issue 34), Giguere wrote a first-person piece on the challenges goalies face at the NHL level.

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From 1997 to 2014, Giguere was a workhorse netminder who enjoyed long stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche. He won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2006-07 and played 527 regular-season games and 52 post-season games.

At the time the story was published, the Ducks were out of the playoff mix. While that was tough on Giguere’s competitive nature, he was always good at staying positive.

“I must admit, it felt nostalgic to be watching the start of the playoffs,” Giguere wrote. “But it doesn’t do any good to think about what I was doing a year ago. Sulking about not making the playoffs this season doesn’t help me, either. I try to look ahead, always ahead.”

Giguere also wasn’t shy about disclosing his penchant to root for teams not favored against their opponent, even pinpointing the teams he wanted to do well.

“Ever since I was a boy I’ve cheered for the underdog,” Giguere said. “Old habits die hard, I guess. But I thought it would be nice to see Nashville do well. Tomas Vokoun was giving them terrific goaltending; they have a hard-working team and winning in the playoffs would be great for their organization. And they were playing Detroit in the opening round. I can relate to that as well.”

Vol. 57, No. 34, April 27, 2004

By Jean-Sebastien Giguere

I must admit, it felt nostalgic to be watching the start of the playoffs this season. Of course I’d like to be there, still playing for the Stanley Cup instead of watching games on television or playing in the World Championship. But it doesn’t do any good to think about what I was doing a year ago. Sulking about not making the playoffs this season doesn’t help me, either. I try to look ahead, always ahead.

This spring, I’m still a hockey fan. I love watching playoff games and I love watching goalies steal the show. I can relate to how they’re feeling. A guy like Andrew Raycroft must feel like I felt last year, that he doesn’t have anything to lose. Every minute he plays is a minute he can use to become a better goalie. He seemed to be in great control, he has lots of confidence and his technique is fantastic. This experience is only going to help him down the road.

Sometimes I surprise myself how involved I get with the games. My wife and I were sitting on the couch watching Game 3 of the Nashville-Detroit series. When Nashville scored its second goal of the game to take the lead, I actually screamed out loud like a fan, I was so happy. And then I kind of looked at myself and thought, “What am I doing?”

Ever since I was a boy I’ve cheered for the underdog. Old habits die hard, I guess. But I thought it would be nice to see Nashville do well. Tomas Vokoun was giving them terrific goaltending, they have a hard-working team and winning in the playoffs would be great for their organization. And they were playing Detroit in the opening round. I can relate to that as well.

Looking back, I can’t honestly say we expected to beat Detroit in that first round a year ago. After we took Game 1 in Detroit - my first-ever playoff game - we were actually a little bit stunned we won. That win gave us so much confidence. We were a different team after that. I don’t think we ever had the Wings convinced we were going to beat them, though. The Red Wings never really panicked because they were so confident and had so much experience. It seemed to me, looking in from the outside, they were always in control of themselves. Even entering Game 4, they never thought they were going to lose.

And that’s why winning that series-clinching game over the Wings was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. When Steve Rucchin scored that Game 4 overtime goal for us, it almost felt like winning a championship right there. To come within one game of winning the real thing is something, going into the playoffs last season, I never could have imagined.

I don’t know if that run last year changed my life, but it did have an impact on my privacy. People recognize me more. As much as I wish I could control that sometimes, there’s no going back. Expectations are another thing that has changed, both on and off the ice. This is something I’m still learning to deal with.

Last summer was a very busy time for me. For the first time in my career I had to say no to some requests because it all got to be too much. You try to explain to people and hope they understand. I felt guilty saying no, but there’s only so much you can do.

I don’t know if last summer played a part in our slow start to this season. We knew it would be a tougher year because teams would be ready for us, but we just couldn’t bring our level back up to where it was. But like I said, there’s no looking back. I’ll watch the Stanley Cup this year as a fan and I’ll enjoy it just like everyone else. I’ll probably be cheering for the underdog.

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