SELANNE LOOKS TO FOLLOW IN FAMOUS FATHERS FOOTSTEPS
As Anaheim Ducks fans around the world wait for word on whether legendary forward Teemu Selanne is coming back for another season, his son is trying to make an impact at the Calgary Hitmen rookie camp.
Eetu, a 15-year-old California native, arrived for the start of rookie camp on Thursday, opining that his playing style is close to his famous father.
“I’m not as quick as he is from the start but I see the game a lot like him,” Eetu told HitmenHockey.com, moments after signing in with his mother by his side.
The forward started playing hockey from a young age, with his first memory of the sport coming when his father suited up for the Colorado Avalanche.
But he developed his game in California, spending last season with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks U16 program where scored three goals, six assists for nine points in 17 games. Next year, he’ll play for the Jr. Kings AAA team.
Eetu got on the Hitmen’s radar two seasons ago when head scout Dan Bonar witnessed him in action.
“When I first saw him, he was a younger guy who looked like he needed some size and strength to his game,” Bonar said. “When I saw him the next year, I saw that he came a long way and was quite impressed and I thought his skating got better and was a smart player out there.
“At that age, it’s nice to see a guy improve that much in such a short period of time.”
Bonar adds, “Smart player with some skill. He’s still got some to go. I don’t get to see how he trains in the summer but I’m sure he has access to the best training and stuff like that.”
Eetu was added to the Hitmen’s 50-player protected list earlier this year.
People might recognize Eetu because of his last name, but he said he doesn’t feel the same pressure from his father.
“He doesn’t have expectations of me like other people do because of my name,” Eetu said.
In fact, Eetu says his father makes it out to more games than you’d expect to watch his kid play.
As for whether or not Teemu will come back for another go-around with the Ducks, Eetu wasn’t about to let anything slip.
“That’s the million dollar question,” Eetu added.
