Jacob Trouba on His Trade to Anaheim
Jacob Trouba spoke with local media about his trade to the Anaheim Ducks.
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images - Jacob Trouba on His Trade to AnaheimFrom his home in New York, which won't be his home for much longer, Jacob Trouba spoke with local media via Zoom call about being traded from the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks.
"I think they have a great opportunity the next couple of years," Trouba said. "It's kind of a similar situation to when I came to New York––really good, young players that are ready to take the next step. If there's something I can do to help contribute to that, I think that's my goal."
Things transpired quickly for Trouba in swapping the Blueshirt for an orange one. The 30-year-old defenseman said that "there was a threat" of being placed on waivers if he didn't accept one of the trade scenarios proposed to him by the Rangers organization. He has a 15-team no-trade list.
"Yesterday morning was 'Accept this trade or we're scratching you' and I said, 'OK' and then it was 'Accept this trade or you're going on waivers' and I said, 'OK.' And then it got to a point where I felt comfortable with Anaheim and that was the place I wanted to go. I guess you could say I'm thankful (the Ducks) made that happen. (It's) unfortunate how it all happened."
Trouba joins the Ducks after being the Rangers' captain for parts of the past three seasons. While he's unlikely to have a letter on his chest for the Ducks right off the bat, he brings leadership pedigree and seven seasons' worth of playoff experience.
"I don't view it (as) coming there trying to be in some major leadership role (right away)," Trouba said. "I think just being yourself (and) being genuine is the best way to lead. Building relationships with players is something I've come to enjoy. You meet new people and figure out different ways that you can help different people. Everyone comes from a different place or a different point in their career. Finding a way to positively impact every player, I think this is considered leadership."
The Ducks' locker room is not an unfamiliar one to Trouba, who played with Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano when both were with the Rangers. Trouba and Vatrano have known each other for several years off the ice as well.
"I texted with him and (Strome) a bit," Trouba said. "A couple of other guys reached out. They're playing tonight, so I didn't want to get too much into it. Looking forward to seeing them––going to meet them in Montréal––and looking forward to meeting everyone when I get there and get things underway."
For Trouba, family comes first and will always come first. There were reports this past summer of Trouba being traded to the Detroit Red Wings, only for that to be nixed when Trouba submitted his 15-team no-trade list––with the Red Wings being one of the teams on that list.
"I was put in a position this summer to make a decision between my career and my family. I chose my family. I would choose my family 100 times over again. I don't feel bad about that. I was happy about it. Don't like how everything unfolded so publicly, but that's part of New York and what happens.
"It made it difficult to play with that hanging over everything. The result is the result and I'm happy with moving forward, but I'm not overly thrilled with how it went down. In my opinion, things could have been handled better. I'm not blaming anybody or anything. Just kind of how it happened. I felt it was kind of an unfortunate ending to a lot of good times in New York."
No. 65 will be Trouba's jersey number of choice with the Ducks, as revealed during his interview with Ducks Stream's Alexis Downie. He'll don the number in honor of both of his parents being born in 1965.