Vancouver Canucks sign Ohio State defenceman Cole McWard to entry-level deal

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks have inked yet another college free agent, signing defenceman Cole McWard to a two-year, entry-level deal on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old McWard joins the Canucks after two seasons at Ohio State University where he had nine goals, 12 assists and eight penalty minutes in 39 games this year.

The six-foot-one, 192-pound blue liner played 149 games with the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League (USHL) before starting his collegiate career, registering 23 goals, 34 assists and 101 penalty minutes. 

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a release that McWard produced well during his time at Ohio State and excelled in a leadership role while in the USHL.