Calgary Flames rookie Sven Baertschi nearly scores on Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom during a recent game. Photo by Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun.
A few days beyond six weeks into his rookie NHL season, Ryan Getzlaf was dispatched to the minors from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
So was Corey Perry.
At the time, the two highly touted first-round draft choices were struggling offensively at the NHL level, despite solid starts to their pro careers in the 2005-06 season.
Less than two months following that demotion, after absolutely lighting up the AHL -- Getzlaf netted eight goals and 33 points in 17 games for the Portland Pirates, while Perry collected 16 goals and 34 points in 19 minor-league clashes -- the pair of 2003 draft choices were summoned back to the big-league ranks for good.
