SAN JOSE — Sam Carrick earned his first regular shift in the NHL this season at the age of 29, after toiling primarily in the AHL since 2012-13, and the Ducks rewarded him with a two-season, $1.7-million contract extension Tuesday. He had been in the Ducks’ organization since 2016-17.

Carrick, now 30, set career highs with 11 goals and eight assists in 64 games before suffering a lower-body injury that sidelined him for Tuesday’s game against the Sharks and, most likely, Friday’s season-finale against the Dallas Stars. He had two goals and four assists in 13 games last season.

With the Ducks rebuilding and looking to fill significant roles with a mix of young players and veterans alike, Carrick made his mark after an early-season recall from their AHL team in San Diego. Only his late-season injury kept him out of the lineup the past three games.

“He’s played every shift like it might be his last one,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “He arrives at puck battles in a foul mood. He goes to the net. That’s where he scores his goals. He sticks up for his teammates. He’s everything you want in a team player.”

More to come on this story. 

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