The 2003–04 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim season was the team's 11th season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(NHL). After making it to the

2003 Stanley Cup Finals The 2003 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2002–03 season, and the culmination of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs. The second-seeded Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils defeated th ...

and losing in the seventh game, the team placed fourth in the Pacific Division and 12th in the Western Conference, thereby failing to qualify for the

2004 Stanley Cup playoffs The 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 7, 2004, following the 2003–04 regular season. The playoffs ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup with a seven-game series win over the Calgary F ...

Offseason

In the 2003 NHL entry draft, the Ducks selected

Ryan Getzlaf Ryan Getzlaf (born May 10, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Getzlaf played his entire NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks and is the franchise's all-time leading scorer. A first-round selection, 19th overall, at the 20 ...

with their first first-round pick, 19th overall, and

Corey Perry Corey Perry (born May 16, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Perry holds the record of being the only NHL player to lose four Stanley Cup Finals with four differ ...

with their second first-round pick, 28th overall. Forward

Steve Rucchin Steve Andrew Rucchin (; born July 4, 1971) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played for three teams in the National Hockey League, most notably for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Playing career Rucchin played high school hock ...

was named team captain following

Paul Kariya Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya (born October 16, 1974) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Known as a skilled and fast-skating offensive player, he played in the NHL for the Mig ...

's departure to the Colorado Avalanche via free agency.

Regular season

The departure of franchise player Paul Kariya marked another new era which had many fans angered as well as worried about the teams near future repeating the on-ice success. Signing Sergei Fedorov and Vaclav Prospal in the summer relieved most of the fans' fear. Both players delivered as expected but scoring decreased for several reasons: Mike Leclerc played only 10 games, Rob Niedermayer played only 55 games, though enjoying a good season and Andy McDonald stayed healthy but had trouble repeating his performance after missing half of last season due to a concussion; Chistov suffered from "sophomore jinx" collecting only 2 goals and Jason Krog could not repeat another season like the one he had before. Rookie Joffrey Lupul had a wonderful rookie campaign with a bright future ahead. Overall, while the team had more potential scoring depth, several players fell short to enjoy and repeat the scoring touch they showed last season. The defense performed well enough but J. S. Giguere failed at times to play the way he did the year before allowing soft goals. Later that season backup goalie Martin Gerber saw more ice time challenging Giguere for the number one spot and nearly outperforming him. Playing away from home did not do them well as the Mighty Ducks won 19 games at home but only 10 games on the road.

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , October 8, 2003, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...

( 2003–04) , , 0–1–0–0 , , , - , 2, , October 9, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...

( 2003–04) , , 0–2–0–0 , , , - , 3, , October 12, 2003, , 0–2 , , align="left",

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

( 2003–04) , , 0–3–0–0 , , , - , 4, , October 17, 2003, , 0–3 , , align="left",

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

( 2003–04) , , 0–4–0–0 , , , - , 5, , October 19, 2003, , 3–4 OT, , align="left",

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 2003–04) , , 0–4–0–1 , , , - , 6, , October 21, 2003, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 2003–04) , , 1–4–0–1 , , , - , 7, , October 22, 2003, , 4–3 OT, , align="left",

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 2003–04) , , 2–4–0–1 , , , - , 8, , October 24, 2003, , 2–5 , , align="left",

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 2003–04) , , 2–5–0–1 , , , - , 9, , October 26, 2003, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

( 2003–04) , , 2–5–1–1 , , , - , 10, , October 28, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 2003–04) , , 3–5–1–1 , , , - , 11, , October 29, 2003, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 2003–04) , , 4–5–1–1 , , , - , - , 12, , November 1, 2003, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 2003–04) , , 4–6–1–1 , , , - , 13, , November 2, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 4–7–1–1 , , , - , 14, , November 4, 2003, , 1–2 OT, , align="left", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 2003–04) , , 4–7–1–2 , , , - , 15, , November 8, 2003, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 4–7–1–3 , , , - , 16, , November 9, 2003, , 2–1 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 5–7–1–3 , , , - , 17, , November 12, 2003, , 5–1 , , align="left",

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 2003–04) , , 6–7–1–3 , , , - , 18, , November 16, 2003, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 7–7–1–3 , , , - , 19, , November 18, 2003, , 1–2 OT, , align="left", @

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

( 2003–04) , , 7–7–1–4 , , , - , 20, , November 19, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 7–7–2–4 , , , - , 21, , November 21, 2003, , 3–4 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 7–7–2–5 , , , - , 22, , November 26, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 2003–04) , , 7–7–3–5 , , , - , 23, , November 28, 2003, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 8–7–3–5 , , , - , 24, , November 30, 2003, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...

( 2003–04) , , 8–7–4–5 , , , - , - , 25, , December 2, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...

( 2003–04) , , 8–8–4–5 , , , - , 26, , December 3, 2003, , 2–7 , , align="left", @

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 2003–04) , , 8–9–4–5 , , , - , 27, , December 5, 2003, , 2–6 , , align="left", @

Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL) on June 25, 1997, and became the League's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL sea ...

( 2003–04) , , 8–10–4–5 , , , - , 28, , December 7, 2003, , 4–0 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 9–10–4–5 , , , - , 29, , December 10, 2003, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 10–10–4–5 , , , - , 30, , December 13, 2003, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 10–11–4–5 , , , - , 31, , December 14, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left",

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 2003–04) , , 10–12–4–5 , , , - , 32, , December 19, 2003, , 1–0 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 11–12–4–5 , , , - , 33, , December 21, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 11–13–4–5 , , , - , 34, , December 22, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 11–14–4–5 , , , - , 35, , December 27, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...

( 2003–04) , , 11–15–4–5 , , , - , 36, , December 29, 2003, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

( 2003–04) , , 12–15–4–5 , , , - , 37, , December 31, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

( 2003–04) , , 13–15–4–5 , , , - , - , 38, , January 2, 2004, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 13–16–4–5 , , , - , 39, , January 3, 2004, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 13–17–4–5 , , , - , 40, , January 5, 2004, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 13–17–5–5 , , , - , 41, , January 7, 2004, , 4–4 OT, , align="left",

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 2003–04) , , 13–17–6–5 , , , - , 42, , January 9, 2004, , 2–5 , , align="left",

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 2003–04) , , 13–18–6–5 , , , - , 43, , January 11, 2004, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 13–18–7–5 , , , - , 44, , January 13, 2004, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 13–19–7–5 , , , - , 45, , January 15, 2004, , 0–1 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 13–20–7–5 , , , - , 46, , January 17, 2004, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 14–20–7–5 , , , - , 47, , January 19, 2004, , 1–5 , , align="left",

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 2003–04) , , 14–21–7–5 , , , - , 48, , January 21, 2004, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 14–21–8–5 , , , - , 49, , January 23, 2004, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 15–21–8–5 , , , - , 50, , January 24, 2004, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 15–22–8–5 , , , - , 51, , January 28, 2004, , 3–4 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 15–22–8–6 , , , - , 52, , January 30, 2004, , 4–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 16–22–8–6 , , , - , - , 53, , February 1, 2004, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 16–23–8–6 , , , - , 54, , February 2, 2004, , 1–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 16–23–8–7 , , , - , 55, , February 4, 2004, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 17–23–8–7 , , , - , 56, , February 11, 2004, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 18–23–8–7 , , , - , 57, , February 13, 2004, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 18–24–8–7 , , , - , 58, , February 14, 2004, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 19–24–8–7 , , , - , 59, , February 16, 2004, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 20–24–8–7 , , , - , 60, , February 18, 2004, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 21–24–8–7 , , , - , 61, , February 20, 2004, , 2–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 21–24–8–8 , , , - , 62, , February 22, 2004, , 0–4 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 21–25–8–8 , , , - , 63, , February 23, 2004, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 21–25–9–8 , , , - , 64, , February 25, 2004, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 22–25–9–8 , , , - , 65, , February 28, 2004, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 22–26–9–8 , , , - , 66, , February 29, 2004, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 23–26–9–8 , , , - , - , 67, , March 3, 2004, , 2–0 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 24–26–9–8 , , , - , 68, , March 5, 2004, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 25–26–9–8 , , , - , 69, , March 6, 2004, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 2003–04) , , 25–27–9–8 , , , - , 70, , March 8, 2004, , 2–5 , , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 2003–04) , , 25–28–9–8 , , , - , 71, , March 12, 2004, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 25–29–9–8 , , , - , 72, , March 14, 2004, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 25–30–9–8 , , , - , 73, , March 16, 2004, , 3–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 26–30–9–8 , , , - , 74, , March 17, 2004, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 26–30–10–8 , , , - , 75, , March 19, 2004, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 26–31–10–8 , , , - , 76, , March 21, 2004, , 8–6 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 27–31–10–8 , , , - , 77, , March 23, 2004, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 28–31–10–8 , , , - , 78, , March 25, 2004, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 28–32–10–8 , , , - , 79, , March 26, 2004, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 28–33–10–8 , , , - , 80, , March 28, 2004, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2003–04) , , 28–34–10–8 , , , - , 81, , March 31, 2004, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 28–35–10–8 , , , - , - , 82, , April 4, 2004, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 2003–04) , , 29–35–10–8 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentrici ...

; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Mighty Ducks only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Mighty Ducks only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

The Mighty Ducks were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after the deciding game of the

, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the

2004 Stanley Cup Finals The 2004 Stanley Cup Finals was the Stanley Cup Finals, championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2003–04 NHL season, 2003–04 season, and the culmination of the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Eastern Conference (NHL), Easter ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Anaheim's draft picks at the 2003 NHL entry draft held at the

Gaylord Entertainment Center Bridgestone Arena (originally Nashville Arena, and formerly Gaylord Entertainment Center and Sommet Center) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Completed in 1996, it is the home of the Nashville Predat ...

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

Farm teams

Cincinnati Mighty Ducks The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks were a professional ice hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were members of the American Hockey League, and played their home games at the Cincinnati Gardens. Throughout their existence they were the primary m ...

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:2003-04 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim season Anaheim Ducks seasons 2000s in Anaheim, California 2000s in sports in Orange County, California 2004 in Orange County, California 2003 in Orange County, California

Anaheim Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, United States, part of the Greater Los Angeles area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orange County, the tenth-most ...

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...