Aug. 4, 2010
Anaheim, Calif. – Notre Dame sophomore right wing Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J.) has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks. The announcement was made on Tuesday evening. Per club policy, no terms of the deal were disclosed.
The 19-year old Palmieri played just one season at Notre Dame as he tied for first among freshmen in scoring last season with nine goals and eight assists for 17 points. He was whistled for 18 penalties for 36 minutes and had five power-play goals and a pair of game winners during 2009-10. His nine goals tied for second on the team in that department.
The 5-11, 195-pound forward is currently participating in the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., in hopes of making the roster for the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships that will be held in Buffalo, N.Y., at the end of December. Palmieri was a member of the gold-medal winning Junior National Team in 2010.
A first round selection of Anaheim’s (26th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Palmieri had a goal and eight assists for nine points in seven games for Team USA in last year’s tournament to finish third in scoring and second in assists.
A product of the U.S. National Team Developmental Program, he spent two seasons with the program from 2007-09. With the Under-18 Team in `08-’09, Palmieri had 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points, including four game-winning goals. The previous year, with the Under-17 team, he was second in goals and fourth in points with 20 goals and 10 assists for 30 points. He helped the U.S. to a bronze medal at the Under-18 World Championships and a gold at the 2008 Five Nations Tournament.
Palmieri joins former Irish defensemen Ian Cole (St. Louis Blues) and Teddy Ruth (Columbus Blue Jackets) as Notre Dame players to leave before graduating. Cole and Ruth signed with their respective teams following last season. Palmieri and Cole were both first round draft choices with Cole being chosen 18th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.