6 Hockey Players who Played for Ducks and Jets
My guess is you’ve searched this page out because you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
If I’m right, that also means that today’s grid is asking for players who have played for both the Anaheim Ducks and the Winnipeg Jets.
And, I’m also guessing that you’re a little stuck on this particular square and you’re looking for a little help to keep your grid immaculate. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, I’m here to help.
I’ve already done the research and have put together a list of well-known stars along with some more “under-the-radar” players that could land you a low rarity score.
Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selanne was selected 10th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. Selanne’s illustrious NHL career spanned over two decades, during which he played for the Jets, Ducks, Sharks, Avalanche, and Finnish club Jokerit.
Known as “The Finnish Flash,” he was celebrated for his incredible speed, scoring ability, and sportsmanship. Over his NHL career, Selänne scored 684 goals, 773 assists, and 1,457 points. He holds numerous records, including the most goals by a rookie with 76 during the 1992-1993 season.
Selanne won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. His other individual accolades include the Calder Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year (1993) and the Bill Masterton Trophy for dedication to the game (2006). He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.
Selanne Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Ducks, Jets, Sharks, Avalanche)
- All-Star (Jets, Ducks)
- 1000+ Career Points (Ducks, Jets, Sharks, Avalanche)
- 500+ Career Goals (Ducks, Jets, Sharks, Avalanche)
- 100+ Point Season (Jets, Ducks)
- 40+ Goal Season (Jets, Ducks)
- 50+ Assist Season (Jets, Ducks)
Mathieu Schneider
Mathieu Schneider began his NHL journey after being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He would go on to play for the Canadiens for several seasons, even being a part of their Stanley Cup-winning squad in 1993.
His NHL career spanned over two decades, during which he played for multiple teams (10 in total), including the Islanders, Maple Leafs, Rangers, Kings, Red Wings, Ducks, Thrashers, Canucks, and Coyotes.
Offensively skilled, Schneider often posted impressive point totals for a defenseman, culminating in over 700 points throughout his NHL career.
Dany Heatley
Dany Heatley is a Canadian-born winger. He was drafted second overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and made his mark by winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2002.
Heatley’s career with the Thrashers was marred by a tragic car crash in 2003, which resulted in the death of his teammate Dan Snyder and left Heatley seriously injured. Despite the setback, he returned to the ice and continued his career.
His time with the Senators was notable for reaching the 50-goal mark twice consecutively, a feat not achieved since Pavel Bure in 1999-2000. Over his NHL career, Heatley was selected for the NHL All-Star Game five times, playing in four of them. In his first All-Star Game appearance in 2003, he scored four goals and was named the All-Star Game MVP.
Heatly Key Stats
- 100+ Point Season (Senators)
- 40+ Goal Season (Senators, Thrashers*)
- 50+ Assist Season (Senators)
*The Atlanta Thrashers are now the Winnipeg Jets.
Chris Kunitz
Chris Kunitz, born in Canada, is a retired winger with a solid NHL career. Kunitz played for several teams, including the Anaheim Ducks (where he won his first Stanley Cup in 2007), Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins (where he secured three more Stanley Cups in 2009, 2016, and 2017), Tampa Bay Lightning, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Kunitz’s journey to the NHL was unique as he was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2003. His professional rookie season was split between Anaheim and their AHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks.
In 2009, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he significantly contributed to their Stanley Cup victories. Kunitz also represented Team Canada internationally, debuting at the 2008 World Hockey Championships and contributing to their silver medal win. He was also named to the 2014 Canadian Olympic Hockey Team.
Kunitz Key Stats
- Stanley Cup Championship (Ducks, Penguins)
Luca Sbisa
Luca Sbisa is an Italian-born Swiss former defenseman, who is currently a development coach for the San Jose Sharks. He played in the NHL for various teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Islanders, Winnipeg Jets, and Nashville Predators.
Sbisa was drafted 19th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2008. He was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2009. In 2014, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. Sbisa was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft but was not re-signed by them in 2018, leading to a contract with the New York Islanders.
He returned briefly to the Ducks in 2019 before being claimed by the Winnipeg Jets off waivers. Sbisa was signed by the Jets again in 2020 and later claimed by the Nashville Predators in 2021. Sbisa’s NHL career totals include 549 games, with 20 goals, 93 assists, and 113 points.
Nate Thompson
Nate Thompson is an American former professional ice hockey forward with a diverse NHL career. Drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Thompson’s professional journey began with major junior hockey for the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds before moving to the Bruins’ AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins.
Thompson’s NHL debut came in the 2006–07 season with the Bruins, but he spent the majority of that season in the AHL. In 2008 he was claimed off waivers by the Islanders and, despite a series of injuries, he scored his first NHL goal. In the 2009–10 season, Thompson moved to the Lightning, where he achieved career-highs in goals, assists, and points.
After his time with the Lightning, Thompson spent the next 8 seasons bouncing around quite a few different teams including the Ducks, Senators, Kings, Canadiens, Flyers, Jets, and finally, the Flyers again.
