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Curtis Glencross begins rookie year in AHL with high expectations
Written by: Kevin Forbes on 10/14/2004 
Then the 2003-04 season began. There must have been some magic in the George M. Sullivan Arena, because the Seawolves suddenly played like a team possessed. Glencross spearheaded their attack, leading the team in scoring as well posting career highs in almost every offensive category imaginable. He scored the most goals and points by a UAA player since the 1995-96 season. The momentum kept going deep into the WCHA playoffs, where the eighth-seeded Seawolves defeated first the third-seeded Wisconsin Badgers and then the seventh-seeded Colorado College Tigers. The Seawolves eventually fell to the top-ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux at the WCHA Final Five in March 2004, but not before being referred to as the feel-good story of 2003-04 NCAA hockey.
By the time the season was over, the Anchorage-Alaska team had attracted a lot of attention. Glencross was told in January that Anaheim's Assistant General Manager David McNabb had his eye on him. Glencross described it to Hockey's Future at this year’s Rookie Tournament, "He said keep going because we are interested in you and know we are here."
When the season ended, a number of NHL teams had taken interest in the forward and he decided to make the jump to pro hockey.
"I felt that I was ready to jump in even though I only had two years of college. I had a great experience in college and it is nice to get a chance at the next level," Glencross said.
After signing a three-year deal with Anaheim, he reported to Cincinnati to join the farm club just before the end of the season. Although he only had 2 goals and 3 points in 7 regular season games with the Mighty Ducks, he proved to have some magic left for Cincinnati's AHL playoff run, tallying 7 points in 9 games. The best was still yet to come.
At the 2004 Rookie Tournament, Glencross showed Ducks fans what all the fuss was about. He scored 6 goals and 8 points to lead the tournament in scoring and to lead the Ducks to victory. He was placed on a line with Anaheim's 2003 first-round draft picks, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry and credited his linemates for much of his success, saying "they do a good job of moving the puck around and as long as I can get open, they will find me."
Getzlaf and Perry were impressed by Glencross as well. Top prospect Getzlaf called Glencross "a very skilled hockey player" and Perry said "we just worked really hard and things just happened for us."
Glencross describes himself as a grinder. "I go to the net and whatever happens, happens."
That description may be a bit modest. At 6'1 and 190 pounds, he is slender but provides a mix of skill and grit that Anaheim desperately needs in their NHL lineup. He had a reputation in the WCHA as a punishing checker and has shown no signs of letting up during his professional career. A quick player, he sees the ice well and never quits. This all points to a future spot for Glencross on a second or third line in the NHL.
There's plenty of work left to do, however and Glencross realizes that.
"I need to work on my defensive game. I need to be a little more aware when I don't have the puck on my hands," he told Hockey's Future regarding his focus was for the 2004-05 season. "Other than that, I am just going to work hard down low in the offensive zone, get some more size and try to make the next step."
Glencross, 21, has returned to Cincinnati for his first full season in the AHL. He's part of the Mighty Ducks' top six forwards and will be counted on to provide offense and leadership on a young team. He's an example of dedication and hard work paying off, both on and off the ice.
Jeff Dahlia contributed to this article. Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future.
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