The Anaheim Ducks have signed one of their 2020 draft picks, inking Jacob Perreault to his three-year entry-level contract. Perreault was selected 27th overall and plays for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL.
The son of longtime NHL forward Yanic Perreault, the 18-year-old winger is a completely different player than his father. Lining up almost exclusively at right wing, Jacob Perreault is a legitimate sniper who can score in a variety of different ways, including loading up his lethal wrist shot from the top of the circle. In his first two seasons of OHL hockey, he recorded 69 goals in 120 games.
He was the second first-round pick the Ducks had this season and will join an impressive group of forward prospects in the system. While the NHL team still includes quite a bit of veteran salary, there are better times ahead for Anaheim if even a handful of these high draft picks work out.
Of course, with any prospect these days, the question will be raised about where Perreault will play. The OHL is hoping for a February start but has had questions around the idea of playing without body checking, while Perreault is too young to play in the AHL. Under contract now, he could potentially be loaned overseas, though it would be much more difficult for the Ducks to have a say in his development.