The Anaheim Ducks are officially kicking things into high gear for the 2026-27 season. Training camp starts this week, Cutter Gauthier is locked down, the Rookie Faceoff has concluded, and the organization is ready to start another season. Let’s look at the latest from Anaheim.
Training Camp
The team will hold its annual training camp sessions this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Thursday and Friday training will be held at 10 a.m. at Great Park Ice in Irvine and will feature multiple on-ice practice sessions open to the public. On Saturday at 9 a.m., the team will host Fan Camp, where fans can watch outdoor warm-ups, join themed festivities, and catch a scrimmage on the ice.
The training camp roster includes returning favorites — Leo Carlsson, Mikael Granlund, and Lukas Dostal, among others — as well as young players hoping to make it into the lineup this season. Players such as Tristan Luneau, Nikita Nesterenko, and Stian Solberg are looking to make an impression and break into a full-time NHL career. Fans can catch all the action this week and watch this season’s roster take shape.
Gauthier Signs Six-Year Deal
Fans will definitely see superstar Gauthier at training camp, as the forward was officially re-signed Tuesday night to a six-year contract worth $13.5 million annually. The signing comes after a long summer of negotiations with the restricted free agent, which was made even tougher by teammate Carlsson’s high-value contract.
The team opted to waive veteran Chris Kreider to make cap space for Gauthier (Kreider recently signed with the Montreal Canadiens). This move showed Anaheim is willing to invest in its future and build a group of younger talent that can grow and develop together while working toward the common goal of winning a Stanley Cup.
Cutter Gauthier, Anaheim Ducks (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
Gauthier is expected to be a top talent again this season after leading the team in points, goals, game-winning goals, power-play goals, and power-play points last season. He also led in points during the playoffs. He was just the fourth player in franchise history to have a 40-goal season, joining Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya, and Corey Perry.
“We are pleased to get Cutter signed to a long-term deal and have him in camp on time,” said general manager Pat Verbeek. He added, “He’s a major part of our young core, a pure goal-scoring talent that will continue progressing into an elite NHL player.” Gauthier noted that he was “pleased to be able to sign long-term with the Ducks and be part of what [he believes] is a great future.”
Rookie Camp Results
The organization’s future traveled to San Jose to participate in the annual Rookie Faceoff. Prospects from the Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth, and Sharks joined them in a tournament-style showcase.
Unfortunately, the Ducks lost both of their games last weekend. In the first game against the Avalanche, they fell 7-2. Cruz Lucius scored first, assisted by Mathis Preston and Lucas Pettersson. Noah Kosick scored unassisted, and goaltender Damian Clara stopped 24 shots. In the second game, they faced the Kings and Pettersson had the lone goal, assisted by Nikita Klepov, in a 4-1 loss to conclude the tournament.
Other Notable News
The organization also made two other announcements this season, starting with a new helmet sponsor for the season– Disneyland Resort. It has all come full circle for the franchise that started as an offshoot of the Walt Disney Company when they were the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. While the two have partnered for years, adding a Disneyland Resort helmet decal this season nods to the team’s roots and hometown. The decal debuted at the Rookie Faceoff.
They also announced a new voice for Ducks Stream, the team’s radio network. Aaron Cooney will take over play-by-play for Steve Carroll, the longtime radio voice of the Ducks. Cooney spent three seasons as the play-by-play announcer for the San Diego Gulls in the American Hockey League. He joins color analyst Emerson Etem and Host Alexis Downie on the broadcast.
After training camp, preseason begins on Sunday, Sept. 20 against the Sharks. The puck drops for the regular season on Friday, Oct. 2 against the Golden Knights.
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