Anaheim Ducks sign Nikita Nesterenko to entry-level contract

The Anaheim Ducks announced Wednesday that they have signed Boston College forward Nikita Nesterenko to a three-year, entry-level contract through the 2024-25 season. He will report to the Ducks. 

Nesterenko registered a career-high 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) and 18 penalty minutes in 36 games with Boston College this season. He was among Boston College leaders, co-leading in assists, tied for second in goals and tied for second in points. He notched two goals and one assist versus Massachusetts on Mar. 8 in the opening round of the Hockey East tournament. Throughout his NCAA career, he notched 28 goals and 49 assists for 77 points in 97 regular season games. In 2020-21, he was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year, and to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. 

Prior to his three-year tenure with the Eagles, the Brooklyn, New York product helped lead Lawrenceville High School to an undefeated season in 2018-19 posting 30 goals and 59 points in 31 games. He was named the New Jersey Prep Player of the Year and to the USHS All-USA Hockey Third Team. The following season, he took his talents out west and played in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Chilliwack Chiefs, totalling 20 goals and 56 points in 56 games.  

The 21-year-old was originally selected in the sixth round (No. 172) in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild. He was acquired by the Ducks at the trade deadline in a deal that saw John Klingberg going to Minnesota in exchange for Nesterneko, Andrej Sustr and a 2025 fifth-round pick. The Ducks play Wednesday against the New York Islanders, but it is unclear when Nesterenko will make his NHL debut.