Ducks Fly Together?

Oh, how the Mighty have fallen.

Back in 1993, the Stanley Cup contending Detroit Red Wings found themselves opening the season staring across the red line at a brand new team, wearing a brand new logo, and playing in a brand new arena, known by the local fans simply as the “Pond.” For the new Anaheim franchise was owned by the Walt Disney Company and with naming right firmly intact, they decided to create an homage to the District Five legacy and name the team…

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

From a business standpoint, it made sense. If Disney is going to own professional sports teams, then why not tie them in with other aspects of their entertainment empire? The briefly owned baseball’s Angels – tying them in with Angels in the Outfield (arguably Adrien Brody’s finest work.) And I have to think that if it hadn’t been such a big international Olympic story, Disney could have funded the Jamaican Bobsled Team with such obscene cash that they wouldn’t mind being called Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Initially, I’m sure there was some hesitation from the players, but concessions were made. Paul Kariya, their first draft pick ever went on to film killer cameos in D2 and D3, and the other rookies got to go on an equipment shopping spree at Hans’ store all on the tab of Mr. Ducksworth. And for 13 years now, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks have competed with pride and honor, displaying their faith in waterfowl for a mascot.

But now, Yahoo! is reporting that a name change is on the horizon. Shortly after the Mighty Ducks lost to the New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals, Disney sold the team to Henry Samueli. Samueli, while having extraneous I’s in his last name (it’s spelled Samuel, dufus), lacks vision for the Mighty Ducks. He is looking to start over with the team, and has announced that come the 2006-2007 season, they will drop “MIGHTY” from their name. He’s got the players giving sound bites on the positives of becoming the Anaheim Ducks. Just great.

If I’m a player on a rival team, let’s say the San Jose Sharks, I’m feeling pretty good about being a Shark and I know that if a Shark and a Duck meet in a dark alley (ok, a dark, water-filled alley), I’m going to shred that Duck. But say that this is a Mighty Duck I’m trying to stare down, well then, it’s not so easy then. That “Mighty” is what gives me a reason to fret a bit. After all, I’m just a Shark. I’m not a Mighty Shark.

What would Gordon Bombay say, Mr. Samueli?

Actually, I know exactly what he’d say.

Have you guys ever seen a flock of ducks flying in perfect formation? It's beautiful. Pretty awesome the way they all stick together. Ducks never say die. Ever seen a duck fight? No way. Why? Because the other animals are afraid. They know that if they mess with one duck, they gotta deal with the whole flock. Oh, man! I'm proud to be a duck. And I'd be proud to fly with any one of you. So how about it? Who's a Duck?

(Fulton: I'll be a Duck.)
(Charlie: Yeah. Me too.)

Bombay :Now we're the Ducks! The MIGHTY Ducks!

Don’t make that mistake, Mr. Samueli.