After signing Jack Thompson on Saturday, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson announced another depth defenceman signing, agreeing to terms with Cole Clayton on a one-year, two-way contract.

The Canucks acquired Clayton, along with a pair of second-round picks, from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward Kiefer Sherwood. Here is what then-GM Patrik Allvin had to say regarding the trade:

“Given where things currently stand and the direction of our rebuild, we felt it was necessary to make a move like this as we continue to build our pipeline. In addition to adding two draft picks, Cole is a right-shot defenceman who will report to Abbotsford.”

The right-shot defenceman appeared in 32 games for the Abbotsford Canucks, picking up six assists and 27 penalty minutes with a minus-four rating. Before the trade, Clayton posted two goals and three assists for five points in 33 games with the San Jose Barracuda.

Clayton signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Before turning pro, Clayton played four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers, picking up 17 goals and 70 assists for 87 points in 210 games.

The now 26-year-old has spent his entire five-year professional career in the American League, scoring 14 goals and 58 assists for 72 points in 289 games. Clayton split his time with the Cleveland Monsters, Barracuda, and Canucks.

Clayton joins an Abbotsford blueline that consists of Sawyer Mynio, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Jimmy Schuldt, and recently signed Jack Thompson. Guillaume Brisebois is a pending unrestricted free agent and needs a new contract for next season. Kudryavtsev has played the right side in a pinch, but if not, Clayton slides onto the right side of the second pair behind Thompson.

With Clayton in the lineup last season, the Abbotsford Canucks had a positive 16-15-1 record. Before Clayton’s arrival, Abbotsford had just 12 wins, along with 22 losses and six overtime losses. Clayton will make $850,000 in the NHL and $275,000 in the AHL, per PuckPedia.