Ducks News: Former Ducks Star Officially Introduced With Rival Team

This just doesn't look right...

When a player spends almost 15 years with one franchise and is a part of the biggest moment in the team's history, they become ingrained forever. For as long as anyone can remember, former Anaheim Ducks wing Corey Perry dazzled fans in Orange County. Perry spent 14 seasons with the Ducks and helped the team win their first-ever Stanley Cup. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) in 2011 and is one of the best players to ever wear the Ducks sweater. Perry left the team after the 2019 season as it was time to move on, he was aging, and the team was moving towards a rebuild. 

Perry has bounced around the league over the last few seasons. He spent time in Dallas, Montreal, and Tampa Bay. During each of his stays with these teams, they made a run to the Stanley Cup Finals, but all three ended up losing in the final. Perry becomes the first ever player in NHL history to lose three straight Stanley Cup Finals, all with different teams. He also made history, becoming the first player to ever score a goal in the championship series with four different teams.

Entering this offseason, the Lightning traded Perry and his negotiating rights away for a 7th-round pick. Perry was moved to the Chicago Blackhawks, whom he has plenty of history with from his time with Anaheim. Chicago was about one of the worst places Perry could go for Ducks fans. Anaheim and Chicago had a heated rivalry during the mid-2010s as the teams faced off in the playoffs. 

Perry was formally introduced on Friday as a member of the Blackhawks, and he addressed the history between the two sides.

Perry may be towards the end of his career, but this still stings a bit for Anaheim fans to see. He was such a big part of the success of the franchise for years, and it would have only been worse to see him be moved to the LA Kings. 

Perry will now act as the veteran mentor for the Blackhawks, but his days in Anaheim will never be forgotten. His deal in Chicago is only for one season, so maybe there is hope for a finale reunion in Anaheim before he retires. Or at least the fans can hope.