Zellweger flashes skills in solid debut

The Ducks flew in formation for a two-game trip with reason to soar a little higher than usual following a win and an auspicious debut from a top prospect that provided wind beneath their wings.

They’ll face the Dallas Stars tonight and then travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild on Saturday.

Accompanying them on the journey will be defenseman Olen Zellweger, who recorded an assist in his first NHL game, a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. That was a game in which veteran winger Jakob Silfverberg doubled his season goal total with a pair, and one Ducks coach Greg Cronin deemed “a good baptism” for Zellweger.

“He played tenacious defense and managed our zone well. He was also efficient with the puck,” Cronin said via text. “He has that lateral quickness and speed that we need.”

Zellweger, 20, was the latest prospect to integrate effectively into a group with a multitude of moving parts this season.

“The pace is a little faster, there’s a little less time out there with the puck on your stick, but overall I think guys make a lot of high-skill plays and they’re looking to hit when you’re joining the rush as a defenseman,” Zellweger said in his comparison of the NHL and American Hockey League levels.

Zellweger was one of three Ducks who captured his Canadian junior league’s award for its

Today: Ducks at Stars, 5p.m., BSSC

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top defensemen, earning that honor in the Western Hockey League last year.

Zellweger built on an impressive minor-pro campaign to date, his first, in which he had scored 25 points in 34 games. On Tuesday, he picked up a primary assist on the power play by threading a shot through traffic to create a rebound for hard-nosed Sam Carrick’s rebound tally.

“One of my better skills is finding that (shooting) lane, especially from the blue line. It’s something I’ve worked on and I feel a calmness looking for that lane,” Zellweger said.

Zellweger’s ability to generate speed through all three zones and break out pucks exhibit some of the same qualities the Ducks lost when they moved Drysdale for forward prospect Cutter Gauthier. .

The build, stature and fearlessness of Zellweger, listed at 5-foot-10 and 189 pounds, might remind fans of former Duck Sami Vatanen. Yet Zellweger’s skill level appears higher than Vatanen’s, and his power-play capabilities might ultimately exceed those of Drysdale, who has already grown a bit in that area in his short time with Philly.

Zellweger’s game is wellsuited for the modern NHL. His pivoting and edge work complement his acceleration and velocity, while he has the puck skills to convert threats into guarantees offensively.