Hiller inked; Giguere traded.

 

2007 brand new parents. Kristen and [former] Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere 

sit Maxime Olivier in the Stanley Cup.

We knew this was going to happen at some point. When the goalie situation started, we knew one goalie was going to be wearing a different sweater. J.S. Giguere was the goaltender most leaned towards not wearing a Ducks sweater. Jonas Hiller signed a $18 Million contract for four years. Rightfully so, Giguere was slotted as a backup goaltender before he left Anaheim.

It's a sad thing to see someone like Giguere sent to another team, but he is excited as this brings a new opportunity for him. Giguere came to Anaheim in 2001 from the Calgary Flames; he was drafted by the Hartford Whalers (Carolina Hurricanes) in 1995. Giguere has done wonders for the Ducks; he won the Conn Smythe trophy as the most valuable player in the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals; the Ducks lost to the New Jersey Devils and Giguere only the 5th player to receive the honor on a losing team. 

He is the winningest goalie in Ducks goaltending history, as he has set the record, he also has the highest amount of shutouts.

Giguere even acquired his nickname from the Ducks "Jiggy" from the Will Smith song; "Gettin Jiggy wit it" at first Giguere didn't like the name but he had warmed up to it and has been called it ever since. Every time the then Arrowhead Pond played the Will Smith song, he would come up with huge and timely saves and the team opted his nickname as "Jiggy" Giguere has since asked the facility not to play the song during his career in Anaheim. The facility has happily obliged to his wishes.

Jiggy is nothing but class, sure he stated out publicly that "I'd rather retire than be a back up goalie" which the media and fans had spun into something completely different than what he intended it to be.


Jonas Hiller wouldn't be the goalie that he is today, if it wasn't for Giguere. The two have an excellent relationship and this won't ruin it. Giguere was the first person for Hiller to tell about his extension. When Hiller had this deal for sure,  people knew Giguere was gone, but no one not even Hiller expected for him to be gone the next day.


Todd Marchant, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Scott Niedermayer are some of the main players who were there when the Ducks took the 2007 Stanley Cup. The image of that will never fade from the fans of the Ducks. Perry was the first to jump into Jiggy's arms as time wounded down. Jiggy had troubles getting his gloves off and he was forced to jump as Perry followed by Getzlaf then the rest of the team mobbed him. He was forced to jump as to avoid not to get pummeled/killed by his teammates.

Giguere was the face of the Ducks franchise, but as a younger and cheaper goaltender came in and pushed him of his no 1 spot. He was no longer the more viable goalie. Hiller had attached to Giguere the moment he stepped into the Ducks locker room in 2007. Giguere made sure of this, not by arrogance, no. But by the mere fact that Giguere told Hiller; if you need (help with) anything don't hesitate to ask. Hiller never hesitated. Giguere gave him the ins and outs of the league and helped him tremendously, giving advice like it were candy. Yet, Giguere doesn't consider himself a mentor. Giguere will help any goaltender as long as it helps him advance in his career. This is what he'll be doing with his new team the Toronto Maple Leafs with his newest goaltender teammate; the sensational 25 year old rookie from Sweden Jonas Gustvasson. Gustvasson is happy to have Giguere as a teammate and believes he'll learn a lot from the goalie who has a lot behind him. This he will Gustvasson is going to learn tons from someone like Jiggy and there will be no regrets for the Leafs; signing someone as classy and noble as Giguere. Gustvasson will learn a lot from Giguere on and off the ice.

The Ducks acquired goalie Vesa Toskala and winger Jason Blake in return for the franchise's winningest goalie. Blake was with the team in Sunrise, Florida where Hiller and the Ducks posted a 3-0 shutout to beat the Panthers and end the road trip on a good note; despite the hectic weekend involving the Ducks. Anaheim also sent rookie wingers Dan Sexton and Matt Beleskey back down to the minors. Sexton was sent back to the Manitoba Moose and Beleskey to the Bakersfield Condors; Anaheim's main ECHL affiliate Anaheim also placed Nick Boynton on waivers Anaheim recalled goaltender Justin Pogge as a back-up to Hiller in Flordia. Toskala couldn't leave Canada as he was to clear the immigration process.  He must obtain his visa to become a legal immigrant in the United States; otherwise most visiting players have obtained at least a passport. Professional sports require all players to follow immigration laws in both the United States and Canada. As well with different countries, if the team has an exhibition game in a different country other than the US/Canada. This should/of been a smooth process for Toskala as he has previously played for the San Jose Sharks.

As the Ducks enter the new Hiller era, the Ducks are excited to move on. A legend has left the organization but he has been reunited with long time goalie coach; Francios Allaire.Also he has been reunited with former Ducks GM Brian Burke will is the GM for Team USA. Hiller will be starting for his home country Team Switzerland this month in the Vancouver Olympics. Hiller was acquired in 2007 and he is undrafted. Before Hiller came to the Ducks; he was virtually unheard of in the NHL, but thanks to the likes of Joe Thornton he has quickly found the spotlight in Anaheim. One big reason Hiller signed with the Ducks is due to former goaltending coach Allaire, now in Toronto and reunited with Giguere.

We can't deny Giguere, despite his struggles on the ice as Hiller had snugged himself between the pipes and found himself playing more and more efficiently as time went on. The Ducks no longer had a lingering goalie situation; As Hiller is now the clear cut No 1 goaltender. Giguere is getting a second chance in Toronto and he rightfully so deserves another chance. As he still has some hockey left in him.

LET THE HILLER ERA BEGIN! The German speaking Swiss as taken over the reigns in Anaheim.

#35 ALWAYS A DUCK IN THE HEARTS OF DUCKS FANS! #35.

#35 AMAZING, UNDENIABLE, EXCELLENT GOALIE, AMAZING HUMAN BEING. WE'LL MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU JIGGY. GOOD LUCK IN TORONTO! #35 WILL ALWAYS BE REGARDED WITH THE NAME GIGUERE ABOVE IT. If someone does wear 35 such as Toskala (which he most likley won't) 35 will never in a Ducks sweater be the same without you, Jiggy!

THANK YOU, JIGGY FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE! FOR 2003, FOR 2007 FOR EVERYTHING!