Ducks sign 2022 second-round defenseman to entry-level contract

The 19-year-old defenseman spent the 2022-23 season with the Gatineau Olympiques in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he tallied a jaw-dropping 20 goals and 63 assists for 83 points in 65 games. He added 17 points in 13 QMJHL playoff contests. Luneau was named the QMJHL Defenseman of the Year as he led all QMJHL defensemen in assists and points; he was named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team.

The Ducks defensive prospect pool is sure one to keep an eye on; with Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger and Luneau leading the way, the Ducks managed to have a prospect win the top defenseman award in all three CHL leagues.

The Victoriaville, Quebec product made his QMJHL debut with the Olympiques during the 2020-21 season, where he registered 18 points in 31 games and was awarded the QMJHL Rookie Defenseman of the Year honors. During his draft year, Luneau tallied 43 points in 63 games. In 159 QMJHL games, he has tallied 36 goals and 108 assists for 144 points.

Luneau is the fourth Ducks’ 2022 draft class member to sign with the team, following the two first-round picks in Mintyukov and Nathan Gaucher. The Ducks also selected defenseman Noah Warren, a former Olympiques teammate who signed his ELC in July, center Ben King, left-wing Connor Hvidston, right-wing Michael Callow and goaltender Vyacheslav Buteyets in 2022.

Luneau will compete for a roster spot among other defensive prospects like Mintyukov, Zellweger, Warren, Drew Helleson, Jackson LaCombe and Tyson Hinds, to name a few. He is expected to return to the QMJHL for the 2023-24 season.