Steve Rucchin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steve Rucchin |
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| Born | July 4, 1971 Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim New York Rangers Atlanta Thrashers |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 1994 NHL Supplemental Draft Mighty Ducks of Anaheim |
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| Playing career | 1994–2007 | ||
Steve Andrew Rucchin (born July 4, 1971) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a centre for three teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). He is best known for his time with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Contents
Steve Rucchin's Hockey Journey
Starting in High School and University
Steve Rucchin began his hockey career playing for his high school team. This was at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London, Ontario. His coach there also worked with the University of Western Ontario. This connection helped Steve get recruited to play for the university team.
While at the University of Western Ontario, Steve became a star player. He was named an "Ontario University All-Star" in three of his four seasons. In his final year, he was honored as "Player of the Year." The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim noticed his talent and picked him in the 1994 NHL Draft. He was the second player chosen overall.
Playing for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Steve quickly became a very important player for the Mighty Ducks. He played on the team's top attacking line. His linemates were famous players like Paul Kariya and Teemu Selänne. This was a big achievement for a player coming from a Canadian university league. Not many players from these leagues make it to the NHL, especially not on a top line.
Steve was also a leader for the Ducks. He served as an alternate captain from 2000 to 2003. Then, he became the team captain from 2003 to 2005.
Big Moments and Family History
One of Steve's most memorable moments happened in the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He helped the Ducks surprise everyone by beating the Detroit Red Wings. Steve scored the winning goal in overtime during Game 4. This goal won the series for the Ducks.
In 1998, Steve made history with his older brother, Larry. They played against each other in the 1998 IIHF World Championship. Steve played for Canada, and Larry played for Italy.
Moving to Other Teams
In 2005, Steve was traded to the New York Rangers. He was known as a great teammate and a leader. He helped guide the younger players on the Rangers team.
Steve ranks high in the Mighty Ducks' history books. He is fifth in assists (279), goals (153), and total points (432). He also has 23 game-winning goals for the team.
In 2006, Steve signed with the Atlanta Thrashers. However, his time there was cut short. In March 2007, he got a concussion during a game. This injury kept him from playing for the rest of the season. Before the next season, he could not pass his physical exam. This meant he had to end his professional hockey career.
Personal Life
Steve Rucchin now lives in London, Ontario. He often travels to Anaheim, California, where he played for many years.
