DUCKS REPORT : Defenseman Salei Rewarded With Deal

Pierre Gauthier, team president and general manager, signed the last of the Mighty Ducks’ restricted free agents Saturday, rewarding hard-nosed defenseman Ruslan Salei with a three-year contract.

Gauthier hoped to have all free agents signed before the first day of training camp, but he was off by one day.

The Ducks underwent physical examinations Saturday and will participate in their first practice today at 9:30 a.m. at Disney Ice in Anaheim. The Ducks will play their first exhibition Saturday at San Jose.

Salei led Duck defensemen in playing time, averaging more than 22 minutes a game last season. He had two goals and 16 points in 74 games.

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The Ducks also signed minor-league goaltender Tom Askey to a one-year contract that includes an option on a second season.

Askey played 53 games for Cincinnati of the American Hockey League last season. He also made a memorable appearance in relief of Guy Hebert, who was injured midway through Game 1 of the Ducks’ playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings.

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Captain Paul Kariya said he learned about the possible sale of the Ducks and Angels several weeks ago, but it hasn’t fazed him or his teammates.

“I don’t think we’ve talked about it once,” he said. “We have no control over it. Our focus should be on what we have to do to get ready for the season. It [the sale] is being made by people above us. It’s not on the players’ level.”

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Here’s a stat to ponder for the first day of practice: The Ducks are 34-4-8 when Kariya and right wing Teemu Selanne each score goals in the same game . . . . Defenseman Mike Crowley, who played 20 games for the Ducks last season, has joined the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League.