2014: The Year of Selanne

This year, 43 year old Finnish right winger, Teemu Selanne probably will not be listed for the Hart Trophy in what will  likely be his final season playing this great game. If this is to be a swansong though, then the 'Finnish Flash' is sure making it a memorable one.

Since being drafted 10th overall back in 1990 by the Winnipeg Jets, his career has taken in two stints playing for the Anaheim Ducks (including their original Mighty Ducks guise) as well as the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche. He has notched up an incredible 1457 points in 1451 games! Which includes no less than 10 All Star Game appearances, a Rocket Richard Trophy and a Stanley Cup win in 2007 with Anaheim. The man's dedication and skill cannot be denied and his blinding speed along with his well noted goal scoring instincts have made him the highest scoring Finn in NHL history- here we would have to agree that California Hockey will be losing a true great. In tribute to his efforts, the Ducks have already confirmed that Selanne's number 8 jersey will be the first ever number retired by the franchise.

But perhaps his most astonishing accomplishment this year was leading Team Finland to a deserved Bronze Medal in what was now an incredible sixth Olympic Games for Selanne! To add further bragging rights, he also took home the Tournament MVP award, which no one could deny was well earned and he demonstrated that age definitely is not factor when comes to competitive play and he added to his two previous medals in Turin and Vancouver.

So far this season, Selanne has helped Anaheim finish at the very top of the Western Conference and so far they are lock in a tense battle with the LA Kings for the second round of the playoffs. Personally, I would love to see Selanne lift the cup for a second time because it would be a fitting end to a career that has been anything less than ordinary. Maybe time to reconsider this man for a the Hart Trophy boys!