Van Impe Signs 2-Year Contract With Ducks

ANAHEIM — The Mighty Ducks signed defenseman Darren Van Impe to a two-year contract, the team announced Friday.

Van Impe, 24, had four goals and 19 assists in 74 games in 1996-97, his first full season in the NHL.

“The thing about Darren is he has gotten better each of his three years in the league,” said David McNab, assistant general manager. “There were a lot of rookie defensemen in the league last year and Darren ranked among the top in several categories.”

He finished fourth among rookie defensemen in points. He played in 16 games with the Ducks in 1995-96 and one game in 1994-95.

Van Impe was acquired from the New York Islanders in 1994 for a ninth-round draft pick. He was a seventh-round pick by the Islanders in 1993.

The Ducks have four players left to sign, Paul Kariya being the most significant. Centers Sean Pronger, J.F. Jomphe and Richard Park also are unsigned.