The Mightiest of Ducks

J's World, by Jeremiah Bartz

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks have the chance to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

And if they do win hockey's most illustrious, they have one person to thank. There is one person who started it all. One person who sparked the legacy of the Ducks.

That person is not career leading scorer Paul Kariya, not former Duck legend Teemu Selanne.

Not phenom netminder Jean-Sebastian Giguere.

Not even Disney mogul Michael Eisner.

The man who started the Duck legacy, Mr. Duck himself, is none other than Emilio Estevez.

Emilio!

Yes, that babyface brother of Charlie Sheen who soared to the height of Hollywood's elite with 80's hits such as "The Breakfast Club" and "St. Elmo's Fire", can be the one to thank for the culmination and success of the Ducks' mighty franchise.

Who would have thunk that Emilio could top "The Breakfast Club", or even "Young Guns", but in 1992 he starred in a little picture called "The Mighty Ducks."

For all of you that missed it in the theaters or the 8,000 times the movie has been televised on various cable stations, "The Mighty Ducks" portrayed a boozing and arrogant lawyer (Emilio) who was brought in to coach a group of players whom absolutely no one had faith in.

Emilio led the Ducks to victory and in the process warmed the hearts of millions of sappy Americans.

The stunning storyline of the Ducks movie is strikingly similar to Anaheim's storyline this year.

Anaheim head coach Mike Babcock is most likely not a boozing arrogant, lawyer, or at least not a lawyer, but the Ducks were never expected to contend for the cup. Anaheim is within reach of winning the ultimate prize and are warming the hearts of millions of sappy Americans in the process.

The current Duck players are even similar to the Ducks in the movie.

Just like that lovable Goldberg, Giguere has come out of nowhere to thrive in goal for the Ducks.

Center Steve Ruccin is like character Charlie Conway. He's gritty and won't give up.

And veteran Adam Oates is much-like character Adam Banks. Skilled opponent of the Ducks, who comes in and puts the team over the top.

There were a trio of Mighty Ducks movies. Anaheim can only dream of a trilogy of Stanley Cup titles.

And if they win the prize, it is Emilio who should take the first sip out of Lord Stanley's Cup.