Anaheim Ducks acquire goalie Johnathan Bernier

Some experienced help will now accompany John Gibson in the Ducks’ goal crease, while a once-projected star gets the chance to shine out of the white-hot spotlight.

The Ducks on Friday acquired goalie Jonathan Beier from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2017 conditional draft pick. Beier fills a hole created when Frederik Andersen was traded to the Leafs on June 20, effectively making Gibson the clear No. 1 goalie.

It is ultimately a swap of Andersen for Beier, with the Ducks paying far less than the $5 million per year Andersen is now making, along with getting high-round draft picks this year and next. It is also a new start for Beier after a rocky three-year ride with the Maple Leafs.

“I had no idea there was a trade coming up or that I was going to get moved,” Beier said on a conference call with reporters. “(Toronto general manager) Lou (Lamoriello) called me this moing and gave me the news.

“For me, I’m definitely very happy to come to the Ducks. It seems like a really great organization. They have a great team as well. I think it’s going to be a great fit for me and obviously a new chapter.”

Seen at one point as the Leafs’ savior in net, Beier ultimately lost his starting job as he often struggled behind a suspect defense and drew heavy criticism from the large, intense Toronto fan base. He had a 12-21-2 record, 2.88 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 2015-16.

Beier, who’ll tu 28 in August, did have three shutouts last season and six during his time in Toronto. The Laval, Quebec native was a first-round pick of the Kings in 2006 and spent three full seasons as Jonathan Quick’s backup before being dealt to the Leafs.

Presented the opportunity to discuss his sometimes up-and-largely down time with the Leafs, Beier said he’ll “only have good memories” of playing in the city

“Playing in Toronto, I had a real good experience,” Beier said. “I had a lot of fun. But when you go through a rebuild it’s never easy. I’m going to a team that’s a Stanley Cup contender, and you’re feeling better coming into camp and knowing you have a great team in front of you.”

Beier has a $4.15 million salary cap hit for 2016-17 that the Ducks will absorb, but because the Leafs have already paid a $2 million signing bonus due on July 1, the Ducks will pay the goalie $2.15 million in actual salary.

The Ducks had been looking for another goalie but were content to watch a number of free-agent backups head elsewhere for less money. Trading for Beier is a sign they contend he’s potentially better than the others who were available and had him in mind all along, waiting for the Leafs to pay his bonus.

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But Beier will need to find his game again as he reunites with Ducks coach Randy Carlyle, who had him for a season and a half in Toronto. He’ll have a better defense to play behind as the Ducks have intact a group that helped allow just 188 goals last season, the fewest in the NHL.

“Playing for the Kings for a long time, obviously we played the Ducks a lot,” Beier said. “They always had a great team. They’re a big, strong and skilled team. Defensively, they’re very solid and they have a good system.

“Obviously I played for Randy when I first got to Toronto. Knowing him, he’s very detailed on how well he wants to play defensively. So I think it’s a great fit.”

As far as his relationship with Carlyle, Beier noted that it was clear distinction between coach and player but that he had no issues with him.

“I had to gain his confidence when I got traded to Toronto, but we always got along well,” he said. “He’s a very detailed coach, and he demands a lot. That’s what you want from your coach.”