Ducks sign Michigan captain Mitera

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Michigan senior defenseman Mark Mitera signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks on Monday afternoon.

Mitera was a first-round selection (19th overall) of the Ducks in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Mitera's professional career will begin with the Iowa Chops - Anaheim's American Hockey League affiliate.

U-M's captain in 2008-09, Mitera overcame a major left knee injury suffered in the first game of the season and returned to the lineup for the final seven contests. In eight games, he had a 1-2-3 scoring line, a plus-3 plus/minus rating and four penalty minutes.

Mitera's best season for the Maize and Blue came in 2007-08 when he earned All-CCHA second team recognition and was named Inside College Hockey's Defenseman of the Year. He posted career highs in points (23), assists (21), goals (2) and plus/minus (plus-29). An alternate captain for the second half of the season, Mitera anchored U-M's defensive corps as the Wolverines swept the CCHA regular-season and postseason championships and reached the NCAA Frozen Four.

For his career, Mitera laced up in 131 career games, earned a line of 4-50-54, had a plus-50 rating and accumulated 175 penalty minutes. His 50 assists are tied for 26th on U-M's career assist chart for defensemen.

Photo courtesy UM Photo Services