AnaheimDucks.comIn one preseason game, Cogliano put the hockey world on notice.

His twisting, spinning one-handed goal in the first period of the team’s preseason tilt with the San Jose Sharks – one that still stands as one of the best of the season – set the tone for Cogliano’s breakthrough 2013-14 performance. Despite being one of the smallest players on the roster, he put together a monster season.

Already stellar in the defensive end, Cogliano capitalized on his offensive ability, setting career-highs in goals (21), assists (21) and points (42). The 5’10” forward helped transform the team’s “checking” line into a consistent offensive threat, one that could match the opposition’s top line while finding ways to light the lamp consistently.

He also came through in the clutch, scoring five game-winning goals during the 2013-14 season. His strong play continued on the penalty kill, where his three shorthanded goals led the team.

More impressive than all those numbers, however, is Cogliano’s Ironman streak. On December 31 vs. San Jose, he became the fifth player in NHL history, and first since Doug Jarvis, to play 500 straight NHL games from the start of his NHL career. Cogliano made his 509th consecutive appearance on Jan. 18 against the St. Louis Blues, surpassing Murray Murdoch (1926-27 to 1936-37) for sole possession of fourth on the five-player list. He has not missed a game since his NHL debut with Edmonton on Oct. 4, 2007 and ranks second on the NHL’s active Ironman list, behind only St. Louis' Jay Bouwmeester at 717.

He carried over his strong play into the playoffs, posting seven points and assisting on one of the more memorable goals in franchise history – Nick Bonino’s game-winning overtime tally to knock the Dallas Stars out of the playoffs. That moment stood as the Comeback of the Year, as voted by the fans during our Ducks Fan Awards summer series.

Gone this season are Cogliano’s familiar linemates – Daniel Winnik is now in Toronto, and Saku Koivu remains unsigned at the time of this story – but expect more of the same from Cogliano. He will likely anchor the checking line while continuing his strong defensive play and contributing on special teams.

HIGHLIGHT

The Ducks were locked in a tight race for the Pacific Division crown as they went into Calgary, an arena that’s always been a tough place to win. Tied in the third period with time winding down in regulation, Cogliano showed off his full arsenal to help pull the Ducks to victory. He began the play, coming deep into the offensive zone to gain possession on the forecheck. He quickly shrugged off his defender before finding an open spot in the left circle, where a rebound from a Stephane Robidas shot perfectly found his stick. Cogliano wasted no time firing the puck into an open net for his 21st goal and fifth game-winning tally.

BY THE NUMBERS

540: The amount of consecutive games Cogliano has played since entering the league with the Edmonton Oilers in 2007.

21: Cogliano’s 21 goals mark the highest total in his career and the first time he’s cracked the 20-goal plateau.

5: Cogliano’s five game-winning goals tied a career-high.