ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Defenceman Simon Despres has agreed to a five-year, $18.5 million contract extension with the Anaheim Ducks.
The Ducks announced the deal Friday, a day before their season opener at San Jose.
Despres has made an impressive rise with the Ducks since they acquired him in a trade with Pittsburgh on March 2.
BREAKING: #NHLDucks sign defenseman Simon Despres to a five-year contract extension: http://t.co/kWt9LAlYyV pic.twitter.com/i0kS0w6Jf9
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) October 9, 2015
He immediately won a regular spot in Anaheim's lineup with physical two-way play, scoring six points in the Pacific Division champions' final 16 regular-season games.