Vancouver Canucks ink winger Drew O'Connor to two-year extension

Vancouver Canucks' Drew O'Connor skates with the puck by Detroit Red Wings' Dylan Larkin during NHL hockey action in Vancouver, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. The Canucks have signed winger O'Connor to a two-year, US$5-million extension. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks have signed winger Drew O’Connor to a two-year, US$5-million extension.

The Canucks announced the deal Tuesday, less than three weeks after Vancouver acquired O’Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 26-year-old forward from Chatham, N.J., has eight goals and 10 assists across 57 games for the Canucks and Penguins this season.

O’Connor put up a career-highs in goals (16), assists (17) and points (33) points for Pittsburgh during the 2023-24 campaign, He has 32 goals and 36 assists over 214 career NHL regular-season games.

The six-foot-four, 209-pound forward joined the Canucks on Feb. 1 in a deal that saw Vancouver send a conditional first-round draft pick — acquired up earlier in the day from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for star centre J.T. Miller — and a package of depth players to Pittsburgh in exchange for O’Connor and defenceman Marcus Pettersson.

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin says in a release that O’Connor has “made a good first impression” since coming to Vancouver.

“We like his size, speed and ability to get in on the forecheck and hound pucks,” Allvin said. ”Our staff also feel confident that they can help Drew take his game to another level and we are excited to see what the future holds for him with the Vancouver Canucks.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 18, 2025.

The Canadian Press