IRVINE — Trevor Zegras said he received a two-word text from a former teammate.

“Happy Anniversary.” It was from Sonny Milano.

Wednesday happened to be the one-year anniversary of their electrifying play in Buffalo – “The Michigan” by Milano, set in motion by the lob pass from Zegras.

It was an unforgettable moment in Ducks’ history and a viral NHL clip. There was no chance for a Zegras-Milano sequel this season after the Ducks did not make Milano a qualifying offer and he eventually landed in Washington after a pro tryout during camp with Calgary. Zegras fully expected Milano (nine points in 16 games) would find success with the Capitals.

“Shocker,” said Zegras, joking. “People just gotta know you’ve got to let him be himself. He doesn’t do things the traditional way. But when the puck drops and it’s game time, you want that guy. He’s awesome. Playing with him last year was so much fun.

“He’s so smart – does all the right things. It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest he’s crushing it.”

Zegras and the Ducks practiced Thursday after having had off-ice workouts the previous day. Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said defenseman John Klingberg would return to action against the visiting San Jose Sharks on Friday.

On Wednesday, Zegras, Max Jones, Jamie Drysdale and Mason McTavish went to Disneyland for a promotional event. They were ready to head out, but McTavish wanted to make sure he got in at least a full hour of watching video before leaving.

So what did he learn?

“Just little things,” McTavish said. “Tendencies in my game that are good or bad and weed them out or keep doing them.”

It’s not limited to breaking down his faceoffs or play in the D-zone, either. He is eager to watch video of other centers around the league, picking up little things, noting: “Smaller details that add up to a lot.”

Eakins said McTavish is in the coaches’ office watching video every day going through his shifts, adding: “And I mean, every day. Not once have we gone to get him.”

There is a level of professionalism with McTavish exceeding his age and experience. The rookie doesn’t turn 20 until January but carries himself like a five-year NHLer.

Like the 21-year-old Zegras, McTavish has a quick sense of humor and showed it when shooting a segment for the team’s broadcast with defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk on Thursday. Also, like Zegras, McTavish shows a commitment to his craft and the two players are often the last ones on the ice.

“When I see Z (Zegras) doing certain things, I remember Troy (Terry),” Eakins said. “When I see (McTavish) going through something, I remember Troy Terry. For me, Troy Terry did an amazing job investing in himself, as (McTavish) is doing now and as Z is doing now.

“We were patient and we molded him along and helped him along and re-adjusted his steering wheel once in a while.”

Terry essentially is the model – or close to it – with what the Ducks are trying to do with Zegras and McTavish, Eakins said.

McTavish is 36 games into his NHL career – nine last season and 27 this season – now ensconced at center, his natural position. He has 14 points (four goals,10 assists), an improving faceoff percentage and was trusted enough to take a late-game draw in the defensive zone against Carolina on Tuesday.

Still, the games come at a fast and furious pace, so the key is to find that middle range of emotion.

“If you have a good one or a bad one, I don’t think you should really get too caught up in it,” he said. “You just want to stay even keel. You’re playing back-to-backs. Maybe you have a good game … chill out and stay up a bit later, or if you have a bad game, you are kind of too hard on yourself.”

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Before talk turned to hockey, the beginning of the conversation touched briefly on World Cup soccer and then geography.

“I like my geography,” McTavish said. “I used to read a book about it before bed, just helped me sleep and I found it interesting. I know a lot of flags too,”

Gamely, he was up for an impromptu quiz.

Wisconsin?

“Madison.”

Minnesota?

“St. Paul.”

Washington?

“Olympia.”

With McTavish, you wonder – what will come first? The All-Star Game or Jeopardy?

San Jose at Ducks

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Honda Center

TV: ESPN+, Hulu