DiPenta returns to the Ducks, sort of.

Joe DiPenta, part of the Ducks’ 2007 Stanley Cup championship team, has signed an American Hockey League contract with the Syracuse Crunch, the Ducks’ top minor-league affiliate. The 31-year-old defenseman will also take part in training camp in Anaheim on a pro tryout contract.

DiPenta spent the 2008-09 season in the Swedish Elite League before returning to the AHL in 2009-10 with the Portland Pirates. Ducks general manager Bob Murray liked the veteran’s leadership skills for the Crunch and DiPenta, who still lives in Newport Beach and is active in the community, wanted to extend his career another season.

Known for his safe defensive play, DiPenta held a sixth/seventh defenseman role for the Ducks from 2005-08. In both 2006 and 2007 he appeared in 16 playoff games, going scoreless, after posting two goals and eight points in the regular season each year. His playing time dwindled in 2007-08 and he finished with a goal and five points.

In 174 career NHL games, DiPenta has six goals, 23 points and 110 penalty minutes.

This entry was posted in Anaheim Ducks/NHL and tagged , by J.P. Hoornstra. Bookmark the permalink.

About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.

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