Ducks Pick Up Rychel as Replacement Enforcer

ANAHEIM — The Mighty Ducks signed free-agent left wing Warren Rychel Tuesday, filling an anticipated void on their roster.

Rychel, who played for the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche last season, is expected to replace Todd Ewen, one of the Ducks’ enforcers.

Rychel reportedly signed a three-year, $1.5 million deal with the Ducks.

Ewen turned down a $700,000 offer from the team and is expected to sign with the San Jose Sharks for about $900,000.

“We made overtures to Todd and when that didn’t work out, we signed Warren,” Duck General Manager Jack Ferreira said. “We feel he can fill that role.”

Ewen, 30, who made $480,500 last season, was seeking $900,000. He had four goals and 285 penalty minutes in 53 games last season.

Rychel, 29, made $750,000 with the Avalanche last season. The Avalanche had offered a similar contract, according to Rychel. But he said there are advantages to playing with the Ducks.

“It was a better hockey opportunity,” said Rychel, who scored six goals in 52 games last season and was second on the team with 146 penalty minutes.

“I will get more playing time in Anaheim. That was the ultimate reason for my decision. I got a little security for myself, and I enjoyed my time in Southern California before.”

Rychel signed with the Kings as a free agent in 1992. The Kings reached the Stanley Cup finals that season and Rychel led all rookies with 23 points during the playoffs. He also ranked third in the NHL with 314 penalty minutes during the regular season.

He had 16 goals and 655 penalty minutes during his three seasons with the Kings.

“He was so competitive that it made it very difficult to play against,” Ferreira said. “He’s been to two Stanley Cup finals in four years and we think he’ll give us some leadership.”

Ferreira said the Ducks will work on signing or trading for a forward-center. Former King Bernie Nichols is available, but Ferreira said the Ducks have not contacted his agent.

Steven King, a right wing who had two goals in seven games for Anaheim last season, signed with the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

King, 27, spent most of last season with Baltimore in the American Hockey League, leading the Bandits with 40 goals. He also had 21 assists.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Joining the Ducks

Here are the career NHL stats for Warren Rychel, signed Tuesday by the Mighty Ducks:

*--*

PENALTY YEAR TEAM GAMES GOALS ASSISTS POINTS MINUTES 1988-89 Chicago 2 0 0 0 17 1990-91 Chicago - - - - - 1992-93 Kings 70 6 7 13 314 1993-94 Kings 80 10 9 19 322 1994-95 Kings 7 0 0 0 19 Toronto 26 1 6 7 101 1995-96 Colorado 52 6 2 8 147

*--*