Teemu Selanne returning for another season

Teemu Selanne returning for another season

By Mike Brehm, USA TODAY
7/12/2012
Teemu Selanne says age is just a number. Attitude is what matters.
So he's signing up for another year with the Anaheim Ducks— at $4.5 million — a little more than a week after he turned 42.
"It all depends how good you feel, how healthy you are and how much passion you have for the game," Selanne said in a conference call from Italy. "That is why I still enjoy the game. It's fun to go to the rink every morning."
MORE: NHL free agent tracker
Selanne is still going strong, playing all 82 games last season and finishing as the Ducks' leading scorer with 66 points.
This will be his 20th season in the NHL. Last season, he moved past Jari Kurri to become the highest-scoring Finnish-born NHL player.
"While I'm still amazed by his speed and skill level, it's Teemu's love for the game and his teammates that make him so special," general manager Bob Murray said. "Anaheim is where he belongs."

Selanne has been going year by year in recent seasons. This offseason was an easier decision for him because he wasn't rehabbing an injury as he had in the past.
"I still feel that I have something to give and that I can still play on this high level," he said. "Even with the tough first half we had last year, I still enjoyed the game so much. That is why I think I knew way earlier than normal that I wanted to play again."
The Ducks missed the playoffs last season after a slow start that led Anaheim to fire coach Randy Carlyle and bring in Bruce Boudreau. They surged in the second half but came up short.
"Obviously, there's some unfinished business from last season," Selanne said. "I can't wait to start the season again."
Around the rinks
Three players up for salary arbitration agreed to terms Thursday. Ducks center Nick Bonino got $1.4 million over two years, according to TSN. San Jose Sharks winger T.J. Galiardi got a one-year, $950,000 contract, according to capgeek.com. Dallas Stars goalie Richard Bachman received a one-year, one-way deal worth $650,000. … The Phoenix Coyotes signed winger Nick Johnson to a one-year, $725,000 deal. He had eight goals and 26 points with the Minnesota Wild last season.