Following Anaheim’s 3-1 loss to Detroit on Sunday night, eliminating the Ducks from the playoffs, here’s what rookie Emerson Etem had to share…
On what he takes from the series:
“Experience, for sure. I felt even early on in the year at about the 20 game mark the game started to slow down for me. I think both defensively and offensively I became more solid. Just looking back on this last game. Being out there on that last shift. For me, myself, for sure is something that’ll give me confidence going forward. I think this is a process. Whether it takes this year, or you know, two years it’s what we’re working for. To accomplish something in the end. Hats off to them obviously for a hard fought series, but I just think that we didn’t have as much as we wanted in the tank.”
On if the short-handed goal was a turning point:
“Yes and no, like I said, we wanted to play a full 60 minute hockey game. That was our goal going into it, and I think throughout the season that was our main goal, and tonight I think we kind of fell back again. We didn’t play the full 60 that we thought we had as a line even though it was a Game 7. But we just maybe could have done some different things out there.”
On if Detroit wanted it more:
“No. I mean like I said, it was a Game 7. We knew our season was on the line, and it came down to maybe bounces. It came back to playing a simple hockey game. Maybe what we did in previous games. If we played like we did in the last five minutes there, I think it would’ve been a different outcome. But hats off to them, they played a hard fought series, and you know, congrats.”
On what was going through his mind in the handshake line:
“It’s kind of soaking in. Obviously we didn’t have the outcome that we wanted, but like I said, it’s a process. It didn’t happen this year, but we’re building up for next year. Maybe in three weeks from now we’ll look back and say we tried our hardest. I’m so proud of the guys in this locker room. Me being a young guy and learning so much from the veterans in this room. I couldn’t be happier with this situation.”
On if the potential playoff matchup with the Kings was on his mind, given his Southern California roots:
“Obviously it would have been huge. It’s huge for the season that we produced this year. Just for Southern California hockey, how much it’s grown over the years, and we have a season like this. Fans were definitely into it. You saw it again tonight. They were definitely into it. Too bad we almost didn’t have that same passion as they did. Like I said, it’s a learning process, and good things will come next year.”
On what it’s meant to play with Teemu Selanne:
“I don’t want to even think about this being his last game or not. Because he means so much to this organization. Like I said we’re building up for next year. Hopefully the guys aren’t thinking of parting or whatever. Hopefully they stay because I think we’re a confident organization and team. I’d like to have him back. He’s such a great guy for this team. Just what he does night in and night out.”
On the biggest thing he’s learned from Selanne:
“Just on the ice, we play somewhat of a similar style as far as a speed game. For someone like him at the age that he’s at right now. He still moves. For a young guy, I see what he does off the ice to produce on the ice every night. It’s something that I see every night. Off the ice he’s kind of taken me under his wing, and we just joke around. We have our inside jokes, but at the same time when it’s time to bear down he’s always there.”
On there being jokes despite the age gap:
“Yup, for sure. Like I said, he’s a great guy. Just a fun guy to be around. He’s a leader, both on the ice and off the ice.”
On if he can imagine lasting as long as Selanne:
“I couldn’t. It’s quite impressive. I mean you look at the Hall of Fame career that he’s had. I mean it’s something that I would love to achieve in my career for sure.”
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