The Anaheim Ducks ushered in a new era of leadership, announcing Radko Gudas as the team’s first captain since Ryan Getzlaf retired two years ago. This important announcement was made on the opening day of their training camp.
“I am incredibly happy that my colleagues see me as a leader,” said Gudas. “My goal is to be an example and support my colleagues in every way. It is an honor to be trusted with this role, and I intend to be the person they need me to be.”
Meet the Ducks’ New Leader: Radko Gudas
At 34, Gudas is a veteran player who joined the Ducks last year as a free agent. His performance last season — with 6 goals, 12 assists, and 128 penalty minutes — proved his worth as a veteran leader of the Ducks’ young talent pool. As the ninth captain in Ducks history, he is the first European to hold the position since Teemu Selanne, who co-captained with Paul Kariya in the 1997-98 season.
The Ducks have been without a captain since Getzlaf’s retirement, which was the first time in club history. Getzlaf has been a cornerstone of the team’s leadership for 12 seasons since 2010, making him the longest-tenured captain in Ducks history.
A New Era of Duck Leadership
The team has been led by a succession of captains over the past two seasons, with veteran defenseman Cam Fowler the most prominent among them. However, the appointment of Gudas by Pat Verbeek, the general manager, and Greg Cronin, the second-year head coach, means a return to the usual leadership style. The move comes as the Ducks fight to end their longest drought, spanning six consecutive seasons.
“Radko exudes a never-ending attitude that our team needs,” Cronin said. “He’s a scary player on the field, and off the field, he’s a good person, with a good heart.”
Radko Gudas: A Journey to Leadership
The Ducks are the fifth NHL team for Gudas, who crossed the Atlantic as a teenager. He also won a gold medal with the Czech Republic at the world championships this summer. Initially, he was known as an aggressive defender in Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, often criticized and scrutinized by teammates and opponents alike for his controversial hitting.
Gudas has since appeared on his NHL journey, spending time in Washington and Florida before joining the Ducks. “I learned from my mistakes and grew as a player and a person, thanks to the great leaders I was surrounded by,” Gudas said.
The Ducks, who finished last season in seventh place in the Pacific Division after a franchise-record 50 regulation losses, have not been ranked sixth in the division since their last playoff appearance in 2018. Gudas now joins Czech players like Peter. Stastny, Jaromir Jagr, Patrik Elias, Bobby Holik, and Milan Hejduk are captains of NHL teams.
The Ducks will begin the regular season against San Jose on October 12, with their home opener scheduled for October 16 against Utah.
