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The Mighty Ducks

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This article is about the media franchise. For the first film, see The Mighty Ducks (film). For the animated series, see Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series. For other uses, see Mighty Ducks (disambiguation).

The Mighty Ducks is an American media franchise. It features a trilogy of live-action films released in the 1990s by Walt Disney Pictures and a live-action sequel television series, as well as an animated television series by Walt Disney Television Animation and a real-world hockey team in the National Hockey League. The movies revolve around a Twin Cities ice hockey team, composed of young players that stick together throughout various challenges. Despite negative reviews from film critics, the trilogy's commercial success paved the way for the franchise's expansion.

The Mighty Ducks
Created bySteven Brill
Original workThe Mighty Ducks
OwnerThe Walt Disney Company
Years1992–present
Films and television
Film(s)
Television seriesThe Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (2021–2022)
Animated seriesMighty Ducks: The Animated Series (1996–1997)
Miscellaneous
Professional ice hockey teamMighty Ducks of Anaheim (1993–2006)*
* Today known as the Anaheim Ducks, which are no longer owned by Disney.

The franchise has various releases in other media, including theme park and hotel attractions.

Film

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Film U.S.
release date 		Director Screenwriter(s) Story by Producers
The Mighty Ducks October 2, 1992 (1992-10-02) Stephen Herek Steven Brill Jon Avnet and Jordan Kerner
D2: The Mighty Ducks March 25, 1994 (1994-03-25) Sam Weisman
D3: The Mighty Ducks October 4, 1996 (1996-10-04) Robert Lieberman Steven Brill & Jim Burnstein Kenneth Johnson & Jim Burnstein

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

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Main article: The Mighty Ducks (film)
 
The Mighty Ducks film trilogy home release cover art.

After being pulled over for drunk driving, Minneapolis-based attorney Gordon Bombay is sentenced to 500 hours of community service, coaching youth hockey. There he meets the District 5 peewee hockey team perennial losers who finish at the bottom of the league standings year after year. They are shut out every game and lose by at least five goals. The players learn Bombay was once a player for the Hawks and the team in the same league but left hockey because of the embarrassment that followed after a failed attempt at a penalty shot at the end of regulation causing them to lose in overtime costing them a peewee championship. (The only year that the Hawks ever lost.) With the help of Coach Bombay and a desperately needed infusion of cash and equipment from Bombay's law firm, the players learn the fundamentals of the sport. Soon enough the District 5 team now christened the Ducks after Bombay's employer Gerald Ducksworth start winning games and manage to make the playoffs, reaching the finals and adding new player Adam Banks, an ex-Hawk who is a talented player and an asset for the Ducks. Bombay faces the Hawks, the team he grew up playing for still led by Jack Reilly, the same coach Bombay played for. Fittingly, the Ducks win the title game on a penalty shot by Bombay's protege Charlie. The movie was released in the UK, Australia and South Africa as Champions. It was directed by Stephen Herek.

D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994)

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Main article: D2: The Mighty Ducks

Inspired by his own players, Bombay decides to try out in the hockey minor leagues and becomes the star player for the fictional Minnehaha Waves, with an easy pathway to the NHL. After a career-ending knee injury, he is offered a chance to coach a team representing the United States in the Junior Goodwill Games. For this, he reunites most of his Ducks(while 5 of them have moved away) and introduces them to five new players from across the country to form Team USA. While they win several early games, the lure of celebrity eventually becomes a distraction to both Bombay and the players, and reality kicks in when they lose against Team Iceland in an embarrassing defeat. Frustrated, Bombay drives his players even harder, yet Team USA continues to suffer, until they come across a street hockey team who teaches them how to play like "the real Team USA". New player Russ Tyler (Kenan Thompson), who earlier heckled Team USA during its matches, is recruited into the roster. Bombay realizes the most important thing is to have fun and after a change in attitude, the Ducks redeem themselves by working up the playoff ladder to meet Team Iceland in the finals. Team USA proves to be a match for Iceland, but the game ends in a tie, resulting in a shootout which - due to fast glove of new goalie Julie Gaffney - Team USA ends up winning the championship. They win the trophy.

D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996)

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Main article: D3: The Mighty Ducks

The movie shifts focus from Bombay to protégé Charlie Conway (Joshua Jackson). After their victory at the Junior Goodwill Games, Charlie and his teammates are awarded scholarships to Eden Hall Academy (a fictitious name from crossing Southwestern suburb Eden Prairie, Cretin-Derham Hall, and Saint Thomas Academy), a prestigious Minnesota high school Bombay attended. Their arrival is met with hostility from the varsity team (mainly consisting of players who are members of rich families, whose younger siblings were cut from the junior varsity team to make room for the Ducks), as well as Bombay's hand-picked successor, Ted Orion (Jeffrey Nordling), whose emphasis on defensive two-way hockey irks Charlie. Not wanting to be on a team led by Orion, who he believes to be a washed-up former professional player, Charlie leaves the team, but rejoins as he learns the truth about Orion from Bombay. Charlie and Orion quickly bond in time for the JV-Varsity Showdown, which Adam Banks (Vincent LaRusso), uses to get back onto the JV team after being scorned on for making the Varsity team. Thanks in large part to the work of Charlie, the Ducks win on a shorthanded goal in the dying seconds of the game from unlikely goal scorer Greg Goldberg (who is converted from goalie toto rejoin the JV defenseman).

Television

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SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally releasedNetwork
Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series126September 6, 1996 (1996-09-06)January 17, 1997 (1997-01-17)ABC
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers110March 26, 2021 (2021-03-26)May 28, 2021 (2021-05-28)Disney+
210September 28, 2022 (2022-09-28)November 30, 2022 (2022-11-30)

Animation

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Main article: Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series

Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series, aired on the American Broadcasting Company for one season consisting of 26 episodes, from 1996-1997. Created in a collaboration between Marty Isenberg, Robert N. Skir, and David Wise, the show ran regularly during The Disney Afternoon block. The series takes place in a futuristic alternate anthropomorphic-universe, and follows the adventures of humanoid-duck superheroes.

The series theme song, written by Carl Swander Johnson, was performed by Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship and Starship fame.

Live-action

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Main article: The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers

A live-action television series based on the original films was in the early stages of development at ABC Signature Studios, with screenwriter Steven Brill and producer Jordan Kerner being attached to the series.[1] The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers was released for Disney+ streaming service.[2]

The plot centers around a 13-year-old boy - whose mother helps him assemble a new team, find a coach and build a rink where they can play - when he gets kicked off the junior division of the Mighty Ducks hockey team. Emilio Estevez reprised his role as Coach Gordon Bombay in the series.[3][4][5] The series premiered on March 26, 2021,[6][7] running for 2 seasons.

Main cast and characters

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Character
The Mighty Ducks D2:
The Mighty Ducks 		D3:
The Mighty Ducks 		Mighty Ducks:
The Animated Series 		The Mighty Ducks:
Game Changers
Season 1 Season 2
1992 1994 1996 1996 – 1997 2021 2022
Coach
Gordon Bombay 		Emilio Estevez   Emilio Estevez  
Coach
Ted Orion 		  Jeffrey Nordling  
Coach
Alex Morrow 		  Lauren Graham
Charlie Conway Joshua Jackson  
Guy Germaine Garette Ratliff Henson   Garette Ratliff Henson  
Connie "the Velvet Hammer" Moreau Marguerite Moreau   Marguerite Moreau  
Fulton Reed Elden Henson   Elden Henson  
Lester Averman Matt Doherty   Matt Doherty  
Greg Goldberg Shaun Weiss  
Adam "Cake Eater" Banks Vincent Larusso   Vincent Larusso  
Terry Hall Jussie Smollett  
Tommy Duncan Danny Tamberelli  
Tammy Duncan Jane Plank  
Dave Karp Aaron Schwartz  
Peter Mark J.D. Daniels  
Jesse Hall Brandon Quintin Adams  
Casey Conway Heidi Kling   Heidi Kling  
Hans Joss Ackland   Joss Ackland  
Jan   Jan Rubeš  
Julie "The Cat" Gaffney   Colombe Jacobsen  
Dwayne Robertson   Ty O'Neal  
Ken "Little Bash Brother" Wu   Justin Wong   Justin Wong  
Dean Portman   Aaron Lohr  
Luis Mendoza   Mike Vitar  
Russell "Russ" Tyler   Kenan Thompson  
Wildwing Flashblade   Ian Ziering  
Nosedive Flashblade   Steve Mackall  
Duke L'Orange   Jeff Bennett  
Mallory McMallard   Jennifer Hale  
Tanya Vanderflock   April Winchell  
Check "Grin" Hardwing   Brad Garrett  
Canard Thunderbeak   Townsend Coleman  
Evan Morrow   Brady Noon
Nick Ganz   Maxwell Simkins
Sofi Hanson-Bhatt   Swayam Bhatia
Maya Kasper   Taegen Burns
Jordan "Koob" Koobler   Luke Islam
Adib "Sam" Samitar   De'Jon Watts
Lauren Gibby   Bella Higginbotham  
Logan LaRue   Kiefer O'Reilly  
Daryl "Coach T" Tingman   Dylan Playfair
Stephanie Reddick   Julee Cerda  
Colin Cole   Josh Duhamel
Jace Cole   Naveen Paddock
NHL cameos

Each movie showcases a cameo appearance by National Hockey League players:

Cam Fowler; appears in the series finale and gives the Mighty Ducks team the then unreleased Reverse Retro jerseys for their game.

Fictional team roster

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The following is the roster of the fictional players for the team.[8] Provided are their jersey numbers, playing positions and indication of their appearances in movies and television series.

No. Player Hometown Position D1 D2 D3 GC
00 Guy Germaine St. Paul, Minnesota F  Y  Y  Y  Y
1 Terry Hall Minneapolis F  Y  N  N  N
2 Tommy Duncan Minneapolis D  Y  N  N  N
4 Lester Averman Brooklyn Park, Minnesota F  Y  Y  Y  Y
5 Tammy Duncan Minneapolis F  Y  N  N  N
6 Julie Gaffney Bangor, Maine G  N  Y  Y  N
7 Dwayne Robertson Austin, Texas F  N  Y  Y  N
9 Jesse Hall Minneapolis F  Y  Y  N  N
11 Dave Karp Minneapolis D  Y  N  N  N
16 Ken Wu San Francisco F  N  Y  Y  Y
18 Connie Moreau Minneapolis F  Y  Y  Y  Y
21 Dean Portman Chicago D  N  Y  Y  Y
22 Luis Mendoza Miami F  N  Y  Y  N
24 Peter Mark Minneapolis D  Y  N  N  N
33 Greg Goldberg Philadelphia G/D  Y  Y  Y  N
44 Fulton Reed Stillwater, Minnesota D/F  Y  Y  Y  Y
56 Russ Tyler Los Angeles D  N  Y  Y  N
96 Team Captain
Charlie Conway		 Minneapolis F  Y  Y  Y  N
99 Adam Banks Edina, Minnesota F  Y  Y  Y  Y

Additional production and crew details

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Film Crew/Detail
Composer Cinematographer Editor(s) Production
companies 		Distributing
company 		Running time
The Mighty Ducks David Newman Thomas Del Ruth Larry Brock & John F. Link Walt Disney Pictures,
Avnet/Kerner Productions,
Touchwood Pacific Partners 1 		Buena Vista Pictures Distribution 1hr 44mins
D2:
The Mighty Ducks 		J. A. C. Redford Mark Irwin John F. Link & Eric Sears Walt Disney Pictures,
Avnet/Kerner Productions 		Buena Vista Pictures 1hr 46mins
D3:
The Mighty Ducks 		David Hennings Patrick Lussier 1hr 44mins

Reception

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Box office performance

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Film Box office gross Box office ranking Budget Ref.
North America Other territories Worldwide All time
North America 		All time
worldwide
The Mighty Ducks $50,752,337 not available $50,752,337 #1,702 #2,715 $10,000,000 [9][10]
D2: The Mighty Ducks $45,604,206 not available $45,604,206 #1,890 #2,933 not available [11]
D3: The Mighty Ducks $22,936,273 not available $22,936,273 #3,308 #4,537 not available [12]
Total $119,292,816 x̄ #2,300[a] x̄ #3,395

Critical and public response

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Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore[13]
The Mighty Ducks 24% (30 reviews)[14] 46/100 (18 reviews)[15] A
D2: The Mighty Ducks 20% (15 reviews)[16] — A
D3: The Mighty Ducks 20% (15 reviews)[17] — A-

Legacy

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The Mighty Ducks series has become a cult classic.[18][19][20] Several professional athletes have expressed their appreciation for the series, with NFL Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Watt and MLB Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper among the trilogy's fans.[21][22]

NHL team

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Further information: Anaheim Ducks

Following the financial success of the first film, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim hockey team were founded in 1993, by The Walt Disney Company. The franchise was accepted by the NHL in December 1992, with an entrance fee of $50 million.[23] Additionally, a brand-new arena, Anaheim Arena, was constructed for the team, located a short distance east of Disneyland. The team's name was derived from the first film.[24] Philadelphia-arena management specialist Tony Tavares was appointed as the team president, while Jack Ferreira, became the Mighty Ducks' general manager.[24][25]

Ron Wilson was selected to be the first head coach in the team's history.[26] During the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, the Mighty Ducks drafted as their fourth overall pick Paul Kariya, who would be the face of the franchise for years.[27] The initial roster had the lowest payroll in the NHL at only $7.9 million.[28]

Under the leadership of team captain Troy Loney, the team finished the season at 33–46–5, a record-breaking number of wins for an expansion team. The Mighty Ducks sold out 27 of 41 home games and filled the Arrowhead Pond to 98.9% of its season capacity. Licensed merchandise shot to number one in sales among all NHL clubs.[29] This was aided by the team's merchandise presence in Disney's theme parks and Disney Stores.[30] The Walt Disney Company sold the franchise in 2005 to Henry and Susan Samueli, who along with then-general manager Brian Burke, changed the name of the team to the Anaheim Ducks before the 2006–07 season. That season, the team won its first Stanley Cup.

Season statistics

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Further information: List of Anaheim Ducks seasons
Key of colors and symbols
Color/symbol Explanation
‡ Conference champions
Year by year listing of all seasons played by the Anaheim Ducks under Disney ownership
NHL Season Ducks season Conference Division Regular season[31][32] Postseason
CF DF GP W L T OT Pts GF GA GP W L GF GA Result
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
1993–94[a] 1993–94[b] Western Pacific 9th 4th 84 33 46 5 — 71 229 251 — — — — — Did not qualify
1994–95[c] 1994–95 Western Pacific 12th 6th 48 16 27 5 — 37 125 164 — — — — — Did not qualify
1995–96 1995–96 Western Pacific 9th 4th 82 35 39 8 — 78 234 247 — — — — — Did not qualify
1996–97 1996–97 Western Pacific 4th 2nd 82 36 33 13 — 85 243 233 11 4 7 25 30 Won Conference Quarterfinals vs. Phoenix Coyotes, 4–3
Lost Conference Semifinals vs. Detroit Red Wings, 0–4[33]
1997–98 1997–98 Western Pacific 12th 6th 82 26 43 13 — 65 205 261 — — — — — Did not qualify
1998–99 1998–99 Western Pacific 6th 3rd 82 35 34 13 — 83 215 206 4 0 4 6 17 Lost Conference Quarterfinals vs. Detroit Red Wings, 0–4[34]
1999–2000 1999–2000 Western Pacific 9th 5th 82 34 33 12 3[d] 83 217 227 — — — — — Did not qualify
2000–01 2000–01 Western Pacific 15th 5th 82 25 41 11 5 66 188 245 — — — — — Did not qualify
2001–02 2001–02 Western Pacific 13th 5th 82 29 42 8 3 69 175 198 — — — — — Did not qualify
2002–03 2002–03 Western‡ Pacific 7th 2nd 82 40 27 9 6 95 203 193 21 15 6 45 40 Won Conference Quarterfinals vs. Detroit Red Wings, 4–0
Won Conference Semifinals vs. Dallas Stars, 4–2
Won Conference Finals vs. Minnesota Wild, 4–0
Lost Stanley Cup Finals vs. New Jersey Devils, 3–4[35]
2003–04 2003–04 Western Pacific 12th 4th 82 29 35 10 8 76 184 213 — — — — — Did not qualify
2004–05[e] 2004–05 Western Pacific — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — No playoffs due to lockout
2005–06 2005–06 Western Pacific 6th 3rd 82 43 27 —[f] 12 98 254 229 16 9 7 46 36 Won Conference Quarterfinals vs. Calgary Flames, 4–3
Won Conference Semifinals vs. Colorado Avalanche, 4–0
Lost Conference Finals vs. Edmonton Oilers, 1–4[36]

In other media

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Video game

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An electronic, handheld LCD game titled, Mighty Ducks and based on the animated series of the same name, was released in 1996. The game was developed, created, and released by Tiger Electronics.

Theme park attractions

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Mighty Ducks: Pinball Slam

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Further information: DisneyQuest

At the now-defunct DisneyQuest locations, Mighty Ducks: Pinball Slam featured as one of the theme park attractions. Opened by Disney Regional Entertainment (which was a subsidiary of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts), the line of limited, smaller-scaled locations included a number of indoor interactive rides and activities. The concept was short-lived and though there were meant to be various locations in numerous cities, the company ultimately opened two locations.

The ride itself allowed the audience to "become" a pinball in a gigantic projected pinball game; by rocking their "duck" back and forth, up to twelve players at a time control their corresponding pinball on the screen, attempting to collect the most points throughout the duration of the ride.

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort

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Further information: Disney's All-Star Movies Resort

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, a "value" resort hotel located at the Walt Disney World Resort, features a Mighty Ducks-themed section and swimming pool.

Podcast

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A podcast channel dedicated to the trilogy titled The Quack Attack, has over 200 episodes dedicated to the topic.[37]

Home media

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The trilogy of films were released in a collection set on DVD and Blu-ray on September 2, 2002 and May 23, 2017, respectively.

Notes

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  1. ^ x̄ represents the calculated average of the three theatrical films.

References

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  1. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (January 22, 2018). "'Mighty Ducks' TV Series in the Works (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  2. ^ "Disney Planning Another 'Muppets' Reboot for Its Streaming Service (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter.
  3. ^ Will Thorne (February 13, 2020). "Emilio Estevez to Reprise 'Mighty Ducks' Role for Disney Plus Series". Variety. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  4. ^ Fisher, Jacob (November 6, 2019). "'The Mighty Ducks' Reboot Series In Development At Disney+ (EXCLUSIVE)". DiscussingFilm.
  5. ^ Collier Jennings (August 15, 2020). "Mighty Ducks Disney+ Series Gets the Greenlight to Start Production". cbr.com. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  6. ^ Erik Pedersen (January 28, 2021). "'The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers': Teaser & Premiere Date For Disney+ Hockey Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Denise Petski (August 2, 2021). "'The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers' Renewed For Season 2 At Disney+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "THE DUCKS". Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  9. ^ "Mighty Ducks Franchise Box Office History". The Numbers.
  10. ^ "The Mighty Ducks (1992) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
  11. ^ "D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
  12. ^ "D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
  13. ^ "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  14. ^ "The Mighty Ducks (1992)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  15. ^ "The Mighty Ducks" – via www.metacritic.com.
  16. ^ "D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  17. ^ "D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  18. ^ "'Mighty Ducks' Reunion: Hockey Movie's Cast Re-Creates the Flying V, Guy Gets to Kiss Connie". The Hollywood Reporter. September 22, 2014.
  19. ^ "Quack, Quack, Quack: An Oral History of the Mighty Ducks Trilogy". June 9, 2014.
  20. ^ "Disney: 25 Secrets About The Mighty Ducks That Make Us Quack". TheGamer. April 26, 2018.
  21. ^ "Instagram post by JJ Watt • Jun 3, 2014 at 8:47pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  22. ^ "Instagram post by Bryce Harper • Dec 25, 2015 at 6:58pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  23. ^ NHL to add teams in Miami, Anaheim Huizenga, Disney high-profile owners, The New York Times
  24. ^ a b Disney Hopes 'Ducks' Make a Splash in O.C., Los Angeles Times
  25. ^ Norwood, Robyn (October 21, 2004). "Mighty Ducks Hire Ferreira as General Manager". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  26. ^ "Mighty Ducks fire Ron Wilson as coach". Canoe.ca. May 20, 1997. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^ "Former NHL player Paul Kariya announces retirement after post-concussion symptoms". ESPN. June 29, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  28. ^ Penner, Mike (January 2, 1994). "1993: The Year in Review. The Mighty Ducks Steal the Show: Ducks: Diamond in a Rough Year". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  29. ^ Norwood, Robyn (August 16, 1996). "THE NHL: Epilogue: The Kings and Mighty Ducks Have at Least One Thing in Common-They Are Two of the 10 Teams That Managed Not to Qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Yet the Assessment of Their Seasons Says a Lot About the Teams-One That Surpasses All Expectations, and Another That Lived Up to None. :MIGHTY DUCKS: They Had to Climb a Matterhorn, but They Were a Real NHL Team". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  30. ^ Lebowitz, Larry (March 16, 1997). "The Wide (Disney) World of Sports". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  31. ^ "Anaheim Ducks Statistics and History". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  32. ^ "Anaheim Ducks Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  33. ^ "1997 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  34. ^ "1999 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  35. ^ "2003 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  36. ^ "2006 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  37. ^ "The Quack Attack Podcast - The definitive Mighty Ducks podcast". The Quack Attack Podcast. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
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