Ducks ink Josh Brittain. Update.

The Ducks have signed 2008 third-round draft pick Josh Brittain to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 20-year-old left wing split his fourth Ontario Hockey League season between the Barrie Colts and Plymouth Whalers, scored 15 goals and 32 points in 68 games.

Playing alongside potential No. 1 draft pick Tyler Seguin in Plymouth, Brittain had 24 points in 56 games with the Whalers. The 6-foot-5, 217-pound Brittain also had a goal and no assists in nine playoff games for Plymouth.

Here is the review of his season, posted last week on HockeysFuture.com:

In the season when he needed to prove he was worth an NHL contract, Brittain took a step backwards in his development. He was traded early on in the season from Barrie to Plymouth, and was immediately placed on the wing of top 2010 prospect Tyler Seguin. His size and puck control ability could have led to a big offensive season, but Brittain put up just 24 games in 56 with Plymouth — his least productive season in his OHL career.

A few trades that saw Plymouth add Phil McRae (STL) and James Livingston (STL) limited Brittain’s ice time down the stretch. Brittain also has a reputation for poorly-timed offensive zone penalties, but is sometimes the victim of calls only because he’s much bigger than his opponents. His only chance at earning an NHL contract is if Anaheim really likes the rare size and skill package that he does possess.

Selected by Anaheim in the third round (71st overall) of the 2008 Entry Draft, Brittain played for both Kingston and Barrie in 2008-09, setting career highs in goals (32) and points (52).

Update: Brittain will make the NHL minimum the duration of his contract ($500,000 each of the first two years, $525,000 the third year), plus a $180,000 signing bonus. The two-way deal will pay $55,000 in the minors.

Perry scores twice in tune-up for Worlds.

Ducks winger Corey Perry had two goals as Team Canada dispatched Germany 4-1 in its only exhibition game Tuesday at the IIHF World Championships in Hamburg.

Playing on a line with Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos and the Calgary Flames’ Rene Borque, Perry had two goals and an assist as the line accounted for all four goals. One came on the power play.

Canada begins tournament play Saturday against Italy.

In Amiens, France, Team USA defeated the host nation 3-1 on Tuesday in its lone exhibition match. Ryan Carter, the only Duck on the U.S. roster, was held without a point.

The U.S. begins tournament play Friday against Germany.

North American prospects report; Parros on TV.

Reviews of ten Ducks prospects who just finished their North American junior seasons have been posted on Hockey’s Future: Peter Holland, Mat Clark, Josh Brittain Scott Valentine, Luca Sbisa, Brandon McMillan, Stefan Warg, Nicolas Deschamps, Marco Cousineau and Radoslav Illo.

Also, George Parros will be on a special all-Hockey episode of “Sports Soup” tonight on Versus (8:30 p.m.).  A disclaimer: Watched the show once to find Sen Dog of Cypress Hill talking about the Lakers. If this brand of talk show is your idea of entertainment … don’t miss it.

Report: Iowa Chops settling debt with Ducks.

According to a report in the Des Moines Register, the Ducks will receive nearly $700,000 from the owners of the Iowa Chops, their former American Hockey League affiliate, if a sale of the franchise to the owner of the Dallas Stars is approved.

The Register reports that a partnership led by Tom Hicks is bidding for the defunct franchise, which served as the Ducks’ AHL affiliate during the 2008-09 season. The Ducks severed ties after the Chops failed to make scheduled payments as part of the affiliation agreement.

If approved, the proposal from Schlegel Sports to Polk (Iowa) County would include “payment of $613,884 to the Anaheim Ducks in money owed from a previous affiliation
agreement.”