The 19-year-old forward, the No. 9 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, scored 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 33 games with Boston University this season. Zegras ranked second among NCAA freshmen in assists and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie team.
"The year was great in terms of getting stronger and more ready to play in the NHL," Zegras said. "That's my goal. In all aspects, it was the next step in my career going from playing in the junior leagues to a men's league. It was great for my development in that regard."
Zegras (6-foot, 170 pounds) played for the United States at the 2020 World Junior Championship and became the second player since 2004 to have nine primary assists in a tournament. Those are tied for the fourth-most by a U.S. player in a WJC.
"We are happy to get this contract done and start Trevor's professional career," Ducks general manager Bob Murray said. "He's got quite a bit of work ahead of him, but we know he's got the talent and intelligence to be an impactful NHL player."
Zegras scored 146 points (46 goals, 100 assists) in 116 games with USA Hockey National Training and Development Program U-17 and U-18 teams from 2017-19.
"We know what's going on with the world right now," he said, referring to the coronavirus, which has caused the NHL season to pause. "There's no hockey, but this will keep me excited for quite some time. It's a very exciting time for me and my family. It's almost bittersweet because there's nothing I can really do about it right now, but it's definitely keeping me in good spirits during this tough time."
Zegras, who can play each forward position, said he's unsure if he would play a game with the Ducks if the NHL season resumed.
"I haven't talked too much about that," he said. "It would be up to [the Ducks] and what their decision would be. That would be pretty cool, for sure. … As a young guy looking to fit into the lineup, I can play center or wing. The versatility as a younger guy. It's an extremely tough league - the best league in the world. I think I can fit in wherever they see me best."
The contract will begin with the 2020-21 NHL season.
