The NHL’s Vancouver Canucks have announced the signing of Ohio State sophomore defenseman Cole McWard to a two-year, entry-level contract.
In signing the NHL contract, McWard foregoes his last two seasons with the Buckeyes.
McWard, from Fenton, Mo., played in 75 games over the last two years on the Buckeye blueline and had 13 goals, 24 assists and 37 points with just five penalties for 10 minutes.
He skated in 39 games in 2022-23 and notched 21 points, with nine goals (four on the power play) and 12 assists. He scored twice in the Buckeyes’ NCAA tournament win over Harvard.
