Ducks dabble in DiPenta

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, parent club of the AHL’s Portland Pirates, announced Thursday that they have has signed unrestricted free-agent defenseman Joe DiPenta to a one-year contract.

Per club policy, no financial terms of the deals were disclosed.

DiPenta, 26, played for the Manitoba Moose in 2004-05, earning two goals, 10 assists and 48 penalty minutes in 73 regular-season games. He added five assists in 17 Calder Cup Playoff contests as the Moose reached the Western Conference Finals.

A 6-foot-2, 220-pound defenseman, DiPenta has registered nine goals and 44 assists for 53 points, along with 411 PIM, in 369 career AHL games with Manitoba, Chicago and Philadelphia over the past five seasons. He was a member of the Wolves’ Calder Cup championship team in 2002, and has appeared in 68 Calder Cup Playoff games since 2001.

DiPenta appeared in three NHL games with Atlanta in 2002-03, recording one goal and one assist. The Barrie, Ont., native was drafted by Florida in the third round (61st overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.