Olausson Returns to Ducks

The Mighty Ducks turned to their alumni association again Friday, signing free-agent defenseman Fredrik Olausson to a two-year contract.

Two weeks after bringing back popular enforcer Stu Grimson in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes, the Ducks signed Olausson, who played in Anaheim in 1996.

“I do believe Anaheim is serious about making a commitment to winning. At my age, that’s what I want,” Olausson said.

Olausson, 31, a 12-year NHL veteran, played for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. He is not the marquee free agent that Ducks fans may have clamored for--Brett Hull, Ron Francis, Gary Suter or Steve Duchesne--but he can run the power play. That alone fills a void for the Ducks.

“I don’t like to talk about big free agents or small free agents, big players or small players,” General Manager Pierre Gauthier said. “Everybody’s got a role. This is an important signing for us.”

The Ducks courted Olausson even before Gauthier returned to Anaheim, with former general manager Jack Ferreira initiating contact when the free-agent signing period opened July 1.