Brantford’s Henrique joins Montour in Anaheim

ANAHEIM – Brandon Montour of Six Nations and Brantford’s Adam Henrique were united in Anaheim this past week following a trade that brought the Brantford born forward from New Jersey to Anaheim in exchange for rushing defensemen Dami Vataren and a conditional third round draft choice.

The Ducks are well equipped with rushing defensemen and it was a sure thing the Ducks would jettison someone on the back line.

Henrique, age 27, brings his four goals and 10 assists with him in 24 games this year and is a penalty killing asset.

“I was shocked, obviously,” Henrique told Sportsnet. “The initial shock has worn off and I’m excited to join the guys on the road and get the new chapter started.

“It’s a winning organization,” Henrique said of the Ducks. “When everyone returns from the injuries, it’s going to be a scary team making a push this year.”

It didn’t take long to fit in. Henrique joined Montour and the Ducks on the road Thursday Nov.30 in a deal that also sent Joseph Blandisi to Anaheim.

His first assist as a Duck came against at 2:32 of the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets when he set up Kevin Roy. Although the Ducks lost the game 4-2, Henrique didn’t take long to get his “Duck-legs” under him.

He scored on a perfect set up from Montour against Nashville in his second game with his new team. The final result was an 4-3 OT loss, but once again, Henrique showed his worth, scoring his first goal in Anaheim when, on a line with Montour, Henrique scored with a one-timer from the centre slot.

Montour had a good scoring opportunity himself but saw Henrique alone in the slot and instead faked a shot and sent a perfect pass to Henrique instead who beat Pekka Rinne for his first Duck’s goal.

Montour missed some ice time last week with an elbow injury he sustained late in last Monday’s game, but was back in the line-up just in time for Henrique’s goal.

In the third period, Cam Fowler scored for Anaheim and Calle Jarnkrok for Nashville to send the game eventually into a shoot-out which Nashville won for the extra point. Henrique was given a chance in the shootout but was stopped.

As of Sunday, the Ducks were four points out of first place in their division with their next outing set for Tuesday against the new Las Vegas Golden Knights on the west coast in a game that will miss our deadline.

The Ducks host the Ottawa Senators Wednesday, and the Minnesota Wild Friday, Dec 8, and the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday Dec. 11.

When Adam Henrique arrived in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room, he looked more like a movie star than hockey player, but don’t let his good looks fool you. As he has proven already in an Anaheim uniform, that he is not just a pretty face.

Henrique is in the fifth season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4 million.

He knows Ducks defenseman Montour, who also hails from the Brantford area at Six Nations. The two took part in Hockey Night in Brantford this past summer — an annual charity game that helped raise money for those in need across the Brantford community.

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