Canucks sign Jett Woo to a one-year, two-way extension

On the eve of free agency, the Vancouver Canucks announced they’ve signed defenceman Jett Woo to a one-year, two-way contract extension.

The Canucks selected Woo out of the Western Hockey Leagues Moose Jaw Warriors in the second round, 37th overall, in the 2018 NHL draft. Woo had nine goals and 25 points in 44 games of his draft year but was mostly known for his physical play and defensive ability. He returned to the WHL for two more seasons, where he accumulated 19 goals and 112 points in 126 games split between the Warriors and Calgary Hitmen.

Once graduating from the junior leagues, Woo joined the Canucks AHL affiliate Utica Comets and now the Abbotsford Canucks. Woo, 23, was enjoying his best season in the minor leagues. He was given the reigns to the top unit powerplay, scoring seven goals and 31 points in X games.

But don’t fret; his physical game was still there. He accrued 93 penalty minutes last season and wasn’t afraid to play the antagonist role, striking fear into his opponents.

Vancouver rewarded Woo’s efforts by him getting a call-up to the big club twice in February when the Canucks were dealing with injuries on the back end – unfortunately for Woo, he wouldn’t get into any games and is still yet to make his NHL debut.

Woo’s season would end five games before the playoffs, as he suffered a serious lower-body injury on this play in a game against the Coachella Valley Thunderbirds.

The baby Canucks would miss Woo’s leadership, physicality and all-around game as they would lose in the second round of the AHL playoffs against the Ontario Reign. As the Vancouver Canucks currently sit, the 6’0, 205-lb defenceman projects to be the fourth or fifth left-shot option for the team’s d-corps and is hoping to make his NHL debut next season.