The Vancouver Canucks have inked blueliner Jett Woo to a new one-year deal
The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed defenseman Jett Woo to a one-year contract extension. It's a two-way deal for the 22-year-old who will make $775,000 US at the National Hockey League level and $100,000 US in the minors.
The Winnipeg native spent the entire season in Abbotsford playing 68 games and registering seven goals and 21 points. Woo led all Abbotsford skaters with 96 penalty minutes and was voted Unsung Hero by the fans in the Fraser Valley.
A second round pick of the Canucks in the 2018 draft, Woo has yet to suit up for an NHL game, but does appear to be a candidate as early as next season. After struggling in the 2021-22 season and at times playing forward because of a logjam of defenders ahead of him on the organizational depth chart, Woo returned to his natural position this past season and has developed to the point where he could now be in line for a call-up at some point.
Where he slots in on the right side is open to debate and it's unlikely Woo will be able to crack the NHL Canucks opening night roster. With Filip Hronek, Tyler Myers and Ethan Bear (a pending restricted free agent who needs a new deal) likely locking down the top three slots on the NHL roster, Woo will be battling with the likes of Noah Juulsen (a pending UFA who make look elsewhere for a deal), Filip Johanssen and Cole McWard for a depth spot on the hockey club. Kyle Burroughs logged 48 games for the Canucks last season but is without a contract for next season. Tucker Poolman's status for next season remains up in the air due to on-going migraine issues that limited the veteran to just three games last season.
The Canucks used 16 defenseman at the NHL level last season. If they need to go that deep on the depth chart again, Jett Woo is surely hoping that will provide the opportunity he is looking for to make his NHL debut. If it doesn't happen, then perhaps it will be time for Woo to seek a fresh start elsewhere. For now though he has re-signed with the Canucks. It's likely Woo will start the 2023-24 hockey season in Abbotsford and use the possibility of NHL games as incentive to continue to develop.
Jett Woo was a pending restricted free agent coming off his entry level deal.