Ducks sign Jacob Perreault to three-year entry-level contract

The Anaheim Ducks have signed winger Jacob Perreault to a three-year entry-level contract, the club announced Thursday. The 18-year-old was drafted 27th overall in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Perreault was the Ducks’ second pick, as they selected defender Jamie Drysdale at sixth overall. Drysdale is still unsigned.

Perreault has played the last two seasons with the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. Last year, he led the team in goals (39) and power-play goals (15), while ranking second in points (70) and fourth in assists (31). Sarnia struggled last year, finishing last in the Western Conference, but Perreault still made it among the league’s best scorers, tying for 10th overall in goals. He’s known for being a sniper, who can shoot from anywhere on the ice with power and accuracy.

The contract is a standard three-year, entry-level deal with $832,500 in base salary and a $92,500 signing bonus for an overall cap hit of $925,000. The contract doesn’t include any performance bonuses and his minors salary is $80,000.

The Montreal, Quebec native is expected to return to the OHL, which has targeted February 4, 2021 as their return date for the 2020-21 season. Camp is scheduled to begin January 23.

The NHL season is much less certain, as the league is apparently still targeting a January 1 return. The NBA has announced a December 22, 2020 return, which may push the NHL to start making things official. Perreault might be a long shot to make the big club this year, but nonetheless will still have eyes on him during the pre-season.