The Ducks have officially signed one of their defense prospects, announcing that they’ve inked defenseman Ian Moore to a two-year, entry-level contract. The deal begins this season while financial terms were not disclosed.
The 23-year-old was a third-round pick by Anaheim in 2020, going 67th overall after playing at St. Mark’s at the high school level. Moore then spent one season with USHL Chicago before beginning his college career at Harvard in 2021.
Moore spent four seasons with the Crimson with his best offensive showing coming in his sophomore year when he had 19 points in 34 games. This season, he came up a bit short of that point total, notching three goals and 11 helpers in 32 contests before turning pro last month on a tryout deal with AHL San Diego.
Moore has done well with the Gulls, collecting a goal and four assists in nine games which has helped him officially secure this contract. Speculatively, the concept of starting in the minors and then being converted to an NHL deal that begins this season was likely discussed last month when Moore first joined San Diego. While it’s not a common route for prospects, Anaheim did this with Sam Colangelo last season, starting him with the Gulls and then converting his deal late.
With the signing, Moore will now report to Anaheim for their final three games and will join the team today for practice. By burning a year early, he’ll become a restricted free agent in the 2026 offseason.