Ducks Make First Round of Roster Cuts

By Thomas Harrington

On Sunday, the Anaheim Ducks made their first round of roster cuts, reducing the training camp roster down to 56 players. Forward Alexandre Blais was assigned to Rimouski of the QMJHL, forward Maxim Masse was assigned to Chicoutimi of the QMJHL, defenseman Vojtech Port was assigned to Moose Jaw of the OHL, forward Ethan Procyszyn was assigned to North Bay of the OHL, and defenseman Tarin Smith was assigned to Everett of the WHL. The Ducks also released several players from amateur tryouts: forward Thomas Desruisseaux, forward Simon Lovsin, goaltender Michael McIvor, defenseman Loic Usereau, and forward Jaxsin Vaughan. All of these moves were expected.

Blais was a fourth round pick from this past draft. He appeared in all three games for the Ducks at the rookie tournament and scored a goal and two points. Even though he didn’t score a ton in the tournament, Blais was one of the players that really stood out to me. For being taken 100th overall, I wasn’t expecting much from him, but I really liked what I saw.

Masse was a third round pick from this past draft. He appeared in all three games at the rookie tournament and was scoreless. Even though he didn’t score, I still thought that Masse had a strong tournament and I’m excited to see how he develops this year.

Port was a sixth round pick from the 2023 draft. He was also in the first round of roster cuts at training camp last year and has yet to appear in a preseason game with Anaheim. Port appeared in two games at the rookie tournament and recorded one assist. Anaheim has until next June to sign him or they will lose his rights.

Procyszyn was a third round pick from this past draft, taken two spots after the Ducks chose Masse. He played in two games at the rookie tournament and was scoreless. Procyszyn is more known for his physical play than his offensive prowess, and he played as advertised in the tournament.

Smith was Anaheim’s third and final pick made in the third round of this past draft. He played in two games at the rookie tournament and was scoreless. At times, Smith looked a little overwhelmed in the tournament, but he also made some really nice plays with the puck.

None of these players were going to play in Anaheim this year, and all of them have yet to sign their entry-level contract with the Ducks. They’ll all spend at least a year or two more in junior hockey before having a realistic shot at turning pro. For probably all of them, that will mean starting in San Diego and then working their way up to Anaheim. Getting them back to junior hockey sooner rather than later should actually help them and the Ducks in the long run. They’ll be able to join their respective junior teams and play important minutes for them.

For Anaheim, with less bodies at training camp, it will be easier for the coaching staff to evaluate who is left. The Ducks have a long way to go to get the size of their roster down to 23, but most positions are already decided. It’s just about getting some of the younger players a game or two in the preseason before sending them back to junior hockey or the AHL. And there’s always a chance a young player could impress enough to force their way onto that final 23 man roster, as Tristan Luneau did last season.

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September 23rd, 2024