Vancouver Canucks sign Cole McWard to entry-level contract

The Vancouver Canucks have signed right-shot defenseman Cole McWard to a two-year, entry-level contract worth $1,900,000. His contract carries a cap hit of $922,500 at the NHL level and a cap hit of $82,500 at the AHL level.

The Fenton, Missouri product just finished up his second season in the NCAA at Ohio State University, where he registered nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 39 games. He was tied for sixth among Buckeyes skaters and ranked second among defensemen in the points column trailing Boston Bruins prospect Mason Lohrei. Last season as a freshman, he tallied 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 36 games. 

Prior to his time in the NCAA, McWard played for the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League. During the 2018-19 season as a rookie, he registered six points in 48 games and was also named to the USHL All-Academic Team. He played alongside Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Knies, Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Mazur and Montreal Canadiens prospect Rhett Pitlick. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound defenseman bounced back the following season, notching eight goals and 18 points in 48 games. His most productive season came in 2020-21 when he was named team captain and tallied 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points and 54 penalty minutes in 52 games. He was named to the USHL Second All-Star Team. Throughout 75 games as a freshman and sophomore with the Buckeyes, he registered 13 goals and 37 points. Ohio State’s hockey season ended on Mar. 26 with a 4–1 loss to No. 2 national seed Quinnipiac in the Bridgeport Regional Final.

The Canucks have been active in the NCAA free agent market this spring already, adding Western Michigan forward Max Sasson and Minnesota State – Mankato defenseman Akito Hirose to their club. The Canucks will play the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, and the Calgary Flames Saturday, where McWard could potentially make his debut.