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Canucks sign defenceman Jett Woo to entry-level contract

The blue-liner has shown a burgeoning offensive side with the Moose Jaw Warriors this season

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Jett Woo speaks to the media in Dallas after being selected 37th overall by the Vancouver Canucks at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Jett Woo speaks to the media in Dallas after being selected 37th overall by the Vancouver Canucks at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Photo by Ron Jenkins /Getty Images

The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenceman Jett Woo to a three-year entry-level contract, the organization announced Saturday.

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Woo, 18, was originally selected by the Canucks in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft at 37th overall.

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The hard-hitting, right-side defenceman was considered more of a stay-at-home type after putting up just 25 points in 44 games in his draft season. But Woo returned to the WHL for his draft+1 season and broke out offensively, averaging over a point a game and obliterating his career highs in scoring with 12 goals, 52 assists and 64 points in 62 games for the Moose Jaw Warriors.

He finished the regular season fifth among WHL blue-liners in scoring. The Canucks, who are in desperate need of a retool on their back end, especially on the right side, couldn’t afford not to sign the Winnipeg native.

Canucks draftee Jett Woo in pregame warmups with the Moose Jaw Warriors before a game against the Vancouver Giants in Langley on Jan. 19.
Canucks draftee Jett Woo in pregame warmups with the Moose Jaw Warriors before a game against the Vancouver Giants in Langley on Jan. 19. Photo by Gerry Kahrmann /PNG

“We’re very excited at the strides Jett has made this season with Moose Jaw,” said Canucks general manager Jim Benning. “He plays the game with good intensity and attention to detail at both ends of the ice. Jett is an important part of our future and we look forward to his continued development.”

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But don’t expect to see Woo in a Canucks uniform anytime soon. The Warriors completed their WHL season Saturday and will meet the Saskatoon Blades in the first round of the playoffs, beginning on March 22.

Woo’s contract with Vancouver will begin next season, but could slide another year if he fails to play 10 games with the Canucks before being returned to junior. Woo will also be eligible to represent Canada at the world juniors next December after missing the cut this year.


LISTEN: This week’s White Towel podcast opens with talk of expectations squarely on the shoulders of injured rookie Quinn Hughes, potential for the Canucks to make moves at the NHL Entry Draft, Travis Green’s pitch to be the bench boss going forward, and why GM Jim Benning might be out of a job by the end of the season.

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