Quack, quack.
Once upon a time, an NHL team was inspired by a hit Hollywood movie, and ESPN is here to provide all the details.
ESPN is releasing its latest "E:60" documentary this weekend: "Once Upon a Time in Anaheim." It looks back at the early days of the Ducks franchise, when the team was known as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
The franchise was founded by the Walt Disney Company. It joined the NHL as the first pro sports team to evolve from a film. The team's name was inspired by the 1992 Disney hit "The Mighty Ducks." The club began play in 1993.
The one-hour documentary features interviews with members of the original Mighty Ducks team, including Stu Grimson and Guy Hebert. Additionally, there will be players from the 2003 team that went to the Stanley Cup Final, such as Jean-Sebastian Giguere, Paul Kariya and Steve Rucchin.
Ducks icon Teemu Selanne also makes an appearance, as do "The Mighty Ducks" actors Marguerite Moreau and Shaun Weiss, who played the characters Connie Moreau and Greg Goldberg, respectively, in the movie; and former Disney CEO Michael Eisner.
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Here is how you can watch the ESPN documentary on the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
When does 'Once Upon a Time in Anaheim' air?
- Date: Sunday, June 11
- Time: 11 a.m. ET | 8 a.m. PT
ESPN has fans covered for Sunday morning entertainment. "Once Upon a Time in Anaheim" is set to air at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT) on June 11.
How to watch, live stream 'Once Upon a Time in Anaheim'
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN+
The documentary will air on ESPN on Sunday, June 11.
The "E:60" documentary will also be available to viewers on ESPN+, along with other ESPN documentary series.
'Once Upon a Time in Anaheim' preview
Following the release of the "The Mighty Ducks" movie, the NHL awarded the Walt Disney Company an expansion franchise in 1992. The company decided to brand its team based on the film, naming it the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
The documentary will explore the early years of the franchise. When the club debuted, it was viewed more as a joke than an actual NHL team, but over the years, the franchise turned into a championship contender in the Western Conference.
Part of the documentary focuses on the 2003 Mighty Ducks team that made it to the Stanley Cup Final. Just 10 years after joining the league, Anaheim went on a surprise run as the No. 7 seed in the West. It lost in seven games to the Devils despite the efforts of Giguere, who was voted the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
