Anaheim Ducks: Benoit-Olivier Groulx Signs Entry Level Contract

Benoit-Olivier Groulx has signed a three year entry-level deal with the Anaheim Ducks.

Signing and ELC with the club that you were drafted by is always an exciting moment for a hockey player. It means they’re one step closer to realizing their dreaming of being an NHL player. The Anaheim Ducks took that next step with 19-year-old Benoit-Olivier Groulx, signing him to a three-year entry-level contract over the weekend. Reported first by Mikaël Lalancette of TVA Sports Friday evening, it was later confirmed by the player himself via Instagram on Sunday, October 6th.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Se8fhn9dE/

Groulx was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Selected 54th overall, the young forward is highly skilled. He plays a great two-way game, and he adds both intelligence and determination to the Anaheim Ducks prospect pool.

Wearing the “A” for the Halifax Mooseheads last season and to start 2019-20, Groulx has taken great strides in becoming an inspiring leader for his team. Last season, he helped lead his team to the Memorial Cup Finals. Unfortunatley, they were defeated at the hands of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

His leadership skills have translated well in terms of his on-ice production as well, considering he was second in points last season for Halifax with 31 goals and 49 helpers. He works hard and doesn’t quit, great qualities in any leader. Each year, he has seen significant improvement in his offensive production too, increasing his point totals by 25 from 2017-18 to 2018-19. 

The season in Halifax has just started, and so far, Groulx has 3 points in 3 games, including 2 goals. This will be his final season in the QMJHL, and he’s on track to have his best season yet. Next season, he will make the jump to the AHL, joining the San Diego Gulls until he is deemed ready for the big club.

If he continues to develop positively, the Anaheim Ducks could very well have Trevor Zegras, Sam Steel, Isac Lundestrom, and Benoit-Olivier Groulx down the middle in the foreseeable future. Unless one of them is moved to the wing somewhere down the line, Groulx will more than likely be competing for the final center spot with former Halifax Moosehead captain and teammate, Antoine Morand.

Bo could be a great addition to the Anaheim Ducks someday. He has played well during the rookie tournaments and has shown flashes of brilliance here and there during the preseason. With Troy Terry, Sam Steel, Max Jones, and possible Max Comtois all making the jump to the NHL this season, this could be Groulx’s time to shine as a formidable prospect in the Ducks current system.

Do you love the Anaheim Ducks enough to write about them? Pucks of a Feather is looking to add dedicated contributors to our team to start the 2019-20 season! If you’re interested, don’t hesitate to apply today!