The Ducks selected Pavel Mintyukov, a defenseman from Russia who played for Saginaw (Michigan) of the Ontario Hockey League, 10th overall in the NHL entry draft on Thursday at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The rebuilding team coveted a skillful defenseman with the first of its two first-round draft picks.
Mintyukov, who is 6-foot-1 and 197 pounds, was the sixth-ranked skater among North American-based players in the NHL Central Scouting final rankings. The 18-year-old had 17 goals and 45 assists in 67 games with Saginaw, his first season after leaving his native Moscow for North America.
The Ducks also have the 22nd overall pick and are expected to take a forward.
