The Ducks signed Pavel Mintyukov, their top selection in the NHL entry draft, to a three-year, $2.85-million entry-level contract Saturday.
Mintyukov, an 18-year-old defenseman, led the Saginaw (Michigan) Spirit of the junior-level Ontario Hockey League with 62 points in 2021-22.
The Ducks picked him 10th overall in the draft July 7, one of their two first-round selections. Mintyukov is a native of Moscow, but left Russia at the age of 16 to play in North America for the 2020-21 season that was ultimately shut down by the OHL because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mintyukov had 17 goals and 45 assists in 67 games with Saginaw in 2021-22. He was third among OHL defensemen in points, fifth in goals, sixth in assists and tied for eight in shots on goal with 177. He played in the Russian junior league with Dynamo Moscow during the pre-pandemic 2019-20 season.
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In addition to Mintyukov, the Ducks also picked Nathan Gaucher, an 18-year-old center with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, in the first round (22nd overall) last week. Gaucher has yet to sign his entry-level contract with the Ducks, however.