Francois Beauchemin Back in the Saddle Again With Anaheim Ducks

February 11 2011 Last updated at 05:39 PM ET

CALGARY -- It hasn't taken Francois Beauchemin long to settle into his new home with the Anaheim Ducks. In fact, it's almost like he's never been away.

The 30-year-old defenseman -- a member of the Ducks for four seasons before heading to Toronto as a free agent in 2009-10 -- found himself pulling on the familiar black and gold jersey on Friday as the Ducks skated in preparation for their National Hockey League encounter with the Calgary Flames.

"Pretty exciting,'' acknowledged Beauchemin, who was dealt back to Anaheim from Toronto for Joffey Lupul and Jake Gardiner. "As soon as I got back (with the team) yesterday, the familiar faces around and the good memories I have in my mind. ... Nothing has really changed, same coaching staff, so the game plan doesn't really change. I pretty much remember everything so it won't be a big adjustment.''

The 6-foot, 207-pounder (above photo, middle) wasn't horribly surprised at the recent turn of events.

"I love it there (Toronto), but as a team we couldn't compete as much as we'd like to. They needed a change and they wanted to let the younger guys play and give them experience. I wasn't surprised. Being at the bottom of the standings ... there were a lot of rumors. They have some good young defensemen they want to give work to.''

Whereas back in his first go-round with the Ducks, Beauchemin found himself playing alongside the smooth-skating Scott Niedermayer, now the veteran will most likely be paired with rookie Cam Fowler.

"It's always the same game,'' he insisted. "My game on the ice doesn't change. You show by example, work ethic, and try to do that every day and that's how you lead.''

In 54 games with the Leafs, Beauchemin collected a dozen points, including two goals, and was a minus-4.

"We have a comfort zone with Beauch,'' said Ducks' head coach Randy Carlyle. "We feel that he can come in and chew big minutes for us. He's played hockey for us before and made a huge contribution to our back end. We feel there's a fit for him in our group; we feel that he can get back to playing the type of hockey that made him so effective.''

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/11/francois-beauchemin-back-in-the-saddle-again-with-anaheim-ducks/

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