Kase making a name for himself
Ondrej Kase was such an unknown player for the Ducks that it wasn’t until recently that the correct pronunciation of his last name was learned.
Asked about it before a Nov. 26 game, Kase told Ducks television broadcaster John Ahlers that it’s pronounced “Kaw-shah,” and not “Kah-sey” as originally thought.
More fans know Kase’s name after his impressive start finally led to his first NHL goal Thursday, against the Vancouver Canucks. The seventh-round draft pick from the Czech Republic has shown skill and instincts in his third-line wing role, with Antoine Vermette and Nick Ritchie. This for a player who was injured for most of training camp and started the season in the minors.
But “He’s shown us from Day 1 that he has the mind, the hockey sense and the wherewithal,” Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said. “He’s not intimidated by having the puck or [being] around the puck, and that’s a huge step in a young player’s development.”
Kase, 21, speaks limited English, but Carlyle said there aren’t communication issues because “he’s a trusting player that you don’t have to tell him 10 times that this is where you’re supposed to be in this situation.”
The humble Kase had the misfortune of hitting the post twice in a Nov. 22 game. His goal came on a shot that banked in off two defenders.
“It’s unbelievable,” Kase told reporters. “It was a little bit lucky.”
Injury report
The Ducks’ organizational depth took a hit with goaltender Matt Hackett and forward Emerson Etem out indefinitely after shoulder and knee surgeries, respectively, the San Diego Gulls announced. The timetable for the Long Beachproduct Etem is “month to month,” a Gulls official said.
TONIGHT AT EDMONTON When: 7 p.m. PST. On the air: TV: Prime; Radio: 830. Update: Ducks forward Joseph Cramarossa (lower body injury) is skating with the team. … Edmonton’s Connor McDavid has a seven-game point streak and a league-leading 34 points . ... This is the Ducks’ first regular-season appearance at Edmonton's new arena, Rogers Place.