Ryan Getzlaf joins NHL Department of Player Safety

NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety George Parros announced today that former Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf has joined the Department of Player Safety.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan as the newest member of our department,” Parros said. “His accomplishments on the ice speak for themselves: he won at every level and was widely respected for being a hard-nosed and highly-skilled Player and effective leader. From his rookie NHL season in 2005 until his recent retirement, he lived and played through many of the changes our game has seen, which will provide our group with a unique and valuable perspective moving forward.”

Getzlaf was selected by the Ducks No. 19 overall in the 2003 NHL Draft and spent his entire career with Anaheim. Getzlaf set franchise records for seasons, games, assists and points during his time in California. Throughout his 17-year illustrious career, Getzlaf notched 737 assists and 1,019 points, he captured a Stanley Cup in 2006-07 and made three All-Star appearances. Getzlaf is one of 12 players in League history to have captained the same team for 10 years and have scored 1,000 points.

Internationally, he represented Canada and captured two Olympic gold medals and five gold medals, including the 2005 World Juniors, 2016 World Cup of Hockey and 2003 U18 World Championship.

The Regina, Saskatchewan product has longstanding philanthropic efforts in Orange County which include support for CureDuchenne, an organization committed to saving the lives of children affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy as well as the Getzlaf Gold Shootout, which over the last 13 years has raised more than $5.8 million to fund research to save those with Duchenne.

Since June 2023, Getzlaf has served as Player Development Coordinator for the Ducks, assisting director of player development Jim Johnson to prepare and educate the Ducks’ prospects.