Ducks trade Rucchin for Gillies, draft pick

— -- ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim parted ways with their captain Tuesday, trading center Steve Rucchin to the New York Rangers for left wing Trevor Gillies and a conditional pick in 2007. Drafted second overall by Anaheim in the 1994 supplemental draft, Rucchin served as the Mighty Ducks' captain in 2003-04 following the free-agent departure of Paul Kariya. He posted his second straight 20-goal season and added 23 assists in 82 games. "Steve is a player who adds leadership, experience and size at the center-ice position," Rangers general manager Glen Sather said. "He has demonstrated over his career to be a versatile player who plays a solid, two-way game. His competitive nature will have a positive impact on our young players." The previous season, Rucchin helped Anaheim to its first Stanley Cup Finals appearance, recording seven goals and three assists in 21 playoff games after registering 20 tallies and 58 points in 82 regular-season contests. "The Mighty Ducks would like to thank Steve Rucchin for his efforts and dedication over the last 10 years in Anaheim," Mighty Ducks general manager Brian Burke said. "We wish him the very best of luck with the New York Rangers." Rucchin, who is slated to make $2.261 million this season, has appeared in 616 games with the Ducks, collecting 153 goals and 279 assists. The 34-year-old native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, who scored a career-high 23 goals in 1998-99, missed large portions of the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons due to jaw and leg injuries. Gillies, 26, spent last season with Hartford of the American Hockey League, recording two assists and a club-high 277 penalty minutes in 49 games. The 6-3, 210-pounder also notched 277 penalty minutes with the AHL's Springfield Falcons the previous season. Beginning in 1998-99 with Oshawa of the Ontario Hockey League, Gillies has collected at least 200 penalty minutes in seven consecutive seasons.