The Anaheim Ducks front office is still working hard while their team fights for the Stanley Cup, today signing third-round pick Josh Mahura to a three-year entry-level deal. No financials have been released. Mahura’s season ended on Sunday, when the Regina Pats lost the WHL Championship series to the Seattle Thunderbirds despite a goal and assist in the deciding game from the 19-year old defenseman.
Mahura registered 53 points this season split between the Pats and Red Deer Rebels, but turned up his game in the playoffs. His 21 points ranked third in playoff scoring from defensemen, behind only Ethan Bear (Edmonton) and teammate Connor Hobbs (Washington). Both of those two are (around) a year older than Mahura, making his performance even more impressive.
The Ducks have developed a number of excellent defenders in recent years, and continue to impress in the draft with players taken outside of the first round. When they selected Mahura, he was coming off an MCL injury that robbed him of his entire draft year, though he returned just in time for the playoffs for Red Deer in 2016. That risk looked to pay off this year, as he put together an excellent season and has a chance to make an impact at the professional level down the line. At just 19, and with the Ducks loaded with defensive talent, he’ll head back to the WHL to try to win a championship next season. Regina also will host the Memorial Cup in 2018, meaning Mahura will get a chance regardless of the Pats’ finish. That tournament will be quite interesting to the Ducks as Sam Steel, their (second) first-round pick from last summer was the leading scorer for the Pats and the whole WHL this season.