The Anaheim Ducks announced this week that they have locked in Pavel Mintyukov to a five‑year contract that runs through the 2030‑31 NHL season, a move that secures the 22‑year‑old Russian defenseman through his prime years.
A Five‑Year Commitment
Mintyukov, born on November 25, 2003, in Moscow, Russia, entered the NHL in the 2023‑24 campaign and has quickly become a fixture on the Ducks' blue line.
Since his debut, he has posted a career‑high 17 goals, 52 assists and 69 points while accumulating 61 penalty minutes across 204 NHL games, numbers that reflect a steady upward trajectory.
In the most recent 2025‑26 season he set personal bests with eight goals, two game‑winning goals, 112 blocked shots and 73 appearances, contributing 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) and ranking among the team's top defensive producers.
His impact was especially evident during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he appeared in all 12 games, co‑leading the club in blocked shots with 19 and averaging 19:26 minutes of ice time per contest.
International Recognition
Mintyukov helped Russia capture a gold medal at the 2019 World Under‑17 Hockey Challenge, recording five assists in six tournament games, a testament to his early international pedigree.
Draft and Development Path
Selected 10th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, he climbed through the CHL ranks, earning multiple All‑Star honors and leading all OHL defensemen in points during the 2022‑23 season.
His consistent performance has placed him fourth among all‑time Ducks rookie defensemen in assists and fifth in points, while also ranking among the top rookie blueliners league‑wide in his debut season.
With a contract now secured through the next decade, the Ducks view Mintyukov as a cornerstone of their defensive core and a player who can continue to grow both offensively and defensively.