GETZLAF - Quickly becoming the most popular family in Canada

Not only do we see athletic talent run in many families, there seems to be a trend these days that showcases professional athletic talent in families. For instance, the Stastnys, the Sutters, the Staals, the Hulls, and many more have impressed the world with their athletic talent. In Regina, we have another family to be proud of, in more ways than one.

Ryan Getzlaf, a native of the Queen City, and superstar of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks has been a fan favourite not only in Anaheim, but north of the border since he stepped foot on the ice and into the public's radar.

Ryan went to Robert Usher Collegiate high school, which has since closed its doors, and was drafted in the WHL bantam draft to the Calgary Hitmen, where he played the duration of his junior hockey, and led to the Ducks selecting Ryan in the first round, 19th overall in the 2003 NHL entry draft, widely regarded as one of the best draft classes in NHL history. Just to give you an idea, players like Marc-Andre Fleury, Dion Phaneuf, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Eric Staal, Thomas Vanek, Zach Parise, and Corey Perry also went in the first round.

Ryan continued to play with his junior club in Calgary for the next 2 years, and due to the 2004/2005 NHL lockout, he made his NHL debut the same year as Sidney Crosby, helping the Ducks to their first Stanley Cup the next year.

Internationally, Getzlaf broke into the hockey scene with his presence on the Canadian under 20 junior team in 2005. Because of the NHL lockout, many of the future stars of the NHL that were still eligible to play in the tournament had formed what we know now as the "Dream Team". This talented squad that won Canada it's first gold medal in 8 years in Grand Forks, including players like Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Dion Phaneuf, Corey Perry, Patricie Bergeron, and of course, Sidney Crosby. On the other end of the coin, both Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin were playing for the Russian squad, so it was a great tournament

Since then, the past few years have been great for Ryan Getzlaf, as he continues to make his mark on the league. With recent Ducks' captains Chris Pronger being shipped to Philadelphia, and Scott Neidermeyer nearing the end of his career, Getzlaf seems to be being groomed to become the captain of the club. He was recently named #6 on the list of the top 10 Canadian born players in the league, and seems to be a lock for a roster spot for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.


Ryan's older brother Chris, however, has become a fan favourite in a much different way, as he is the hometown hero, playing for the hometown team. Chris Getzlaf is a wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. Chris attended the Univeristy of Regina, and was drafted to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, only to be eventually traded to the Riders in a steal of a trade that landed us both the hometown boy, and a crowd favourite in Corey Holmes, for the brutal Jason Armstead. The Riders went on to win the Grey Cup that year, and Getzlaf has grown into his role on the team, and recently has replaced the injured Andy Fantuz at the slotback position. This past Saturday, Getzlaf was named the CFL's Canadian Player of the Week, helping the Riders to a come-from-behind 24-23 victory over the host Calgary Stampeders with this 65 yard touchdown:

It is pretty clear that with a properous NHL career ahead of Ryan, and the talent that older brother Chris has shown Rider nation, the Getzlafs aren't going anywhere.

PP