A Season Unlike Any Other: Troy Terry Is Leading The Ducks
By Jim Lynch
The Anaheim Ducks were not supposed to be competing for the playoffs this year. After drafting third overall this past summer I think it is safe to say this team still had some way to go when it came to building a competitive roster.
The funny thing is, they have defied those expectations. The Ducks have been one of the best teams in hockey. They are in a playoff spot as of now in the not-so-tough Pacific Division, but the amazing thing is they are helping to make that division just a little bit tougher. A big reason for the quick turnaround in Anaheim has to be Troy Terry.
Troy Terry was drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft. After getting drafted by the Ducks he broke into the league in 2017-18 playing in two games, it wasn’t until the next season that he became more of an NHL regular. His career has only gone up to the point where he is having a career year this season with 22 goals, 14 assists, and 36 points through 37 games.
Terry has gone from a third or fourth liner to one of the most important players on a Ducks’ team that is defying odds every game. This season he is averaging 17:07 minutes a night on average, that number is almost three minutes greater compared to what we have seen in years past. Before this season Terry was averaging around 14:40 minutes a night. His large step forward is a big part of their success this season.
Terry scored a hat trick during a 4-1 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers this past week. That was his first hat trick in the national hockey league.
Terry’s 22 goals on the year are in the top five in the entire league. The Duck’s big turnaround relies on that kind of effort. Oh, and having young players like Trevor Zegras step into the league and make it their own.
While Terry is not going to be able to compete with players like Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl for any big awards this year, he definitely is one of the most improved players in the entire NHL. It is great to see him step up and become one of the top guys on the Anaheim Ducks.
The Ducks’ next game is on Friday against Minnesota.