BREAKING | Canucks sign college free agent defenceman to an entry-level contract

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Cooper Godin
April 5, 2023 (6:35)

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Late on Tuesday night, the Vancouver Canucks made some noise in the NCAA free agent pool as Patrik Allvin announced the signing of 6'1" defenceman Cole McWard to a two-year, entry-level contract.

McWard, 21, spent the 2022-23 season with Ohio State, which was his sophomore year and he opted to make the jump to professional hockey rather than returning to the Buckeyes for another campaign. Allvin reacted on his most recent signing:

"Our group has worked extremely hard this college free agent season and this signing is another important step in building out our prospect pool. Cole has produced well offensively in each of his two seasons at Ohio State and excelled in a leadership role during his final USHL season with Tri-City. We look forward to having him work with Adam Foote, Sergei Gonchar and the rest of our development staff to round out his game as he transitions to the professional level."

In 39 games this season for Ohio State, the Fenton (Missouri) native had 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists), eight penalty minutes and was a minus-five.

Ward is expected to report to Vancouver in the coming games and there's a chance he could make his National Hockey League debut before the Canucks' final game on April 13th against Arizona.