RALEIGH, N.C. — Blake McLaughlin’s senior season at the University of Minnesota ended with a loss Friday to Minnesota State in the Frozen Four semifinals at Boston’s TD Garden. His professional career will begin soon enough, after the Ducks signed him to a two-year entry-level contract Sunday.

McLaughlin, the Ducks’ third-round pick (79th overall) in 2018, will report to the San Diego Gulls of the AHL on an amateur tryout basis. His pro contract begins with the start of the 2022-23 season. The Gulls have nine regular-season games remaining, including Wednesday against the Ontario Reign.

McLaughlin, a 22-year-old left wing, recorded career highs of 13 goals and 20 assists in 39 games this past season at Minnesota. He was Minnesota’s second-leading scorer and was seventh in the Big Ten. Overall, he had 38 goals and 67 assists in 142 games during his career.

The Golden Gophers’ roster this season had two other players drafted by the Ducks: Jackson LaCombe, a defenseman who was selected in the second round (39th overall) in 2019, and Jack Perbix, a right wing/defenseman who was picked in the fourth round (116th) in 2018.

LaCombe was picked by The Hockey News as one of the Ducks’ top-10 prospects. It’s uncertain whether he will join McLaughlin in signing with the Ducks or return to school next fall for his senior year. Drew Helleson of Boston College and Josh Lopina of UMass also have signed.

Helleson, a defenseman, has one assist in eight games with the Gulls since signing his entry-level contract March 15. Lopina, a center, has one assist in four games with San Diego since he signed March 27. The contracts of Helleson and Lopina also don’t begin until the 2022-23 season.

Additionally, Harvard defensemen Ian Moore and Henry Thrun also could sign with the Ducks, although it’s likely they will continue their collegiate careers next season. Moore was a third-round pick (67th overall) in 2020 and Thrun was selected in the fourth round (101st) in 2019.

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