Ducks News: Former Team Captain Named Player Development Coordinator

How will this make a difference for the team?

Long-time Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf is staying with the organization. No, not as a player since he retired a short while ago but the team announced that Getzlaf would be coming on as a Player Development Coordinator. In this role, he will assists Director of Player Development Jim Johnson in preparing and educating the prospects of the organization.

Getzlaf gets to stay around the game of hockey and most importantly for him, around the team that he spent his entire career with.

"We are thrilled to have a player of Ryan's stature stay with the club into his post-playing career," said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek. "His experience and knowledge from his NHL and international career will be invaluable for our young prospects. He can help prospects reach their full potential on and off the ice based on his 17 years as an NHL player and valuable insight of the necessary steps from junior or college hockey to the NHL."

Per NHL.com

During his playing days, Getzlaf was the ultimate professional. He understand what it meant to be a player in the NHL so this is huge for the organization. He can be a guide for younger players and give them a boost.

As a player, he helped lead the Ducks to their only Stanley Cup in history back in 2007. Getzlaf is also the all-time team leader in assists, even-strength points, overtime goals and power-play assists. He has been one of the more important Ducks in the teams history and this is a cool moment for him and the fans.

It's also a great move for new head coach Greg Cronin, who can use Getzlaf as a resource as he navigates his first ever leading job.