VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Brendan Gaunce to a two-year, one-way contract worth an annual average value of US$750,000.
The 23-year-old native of Sudbury, Ont., had five assists and 33 penalty minutes in 57 games with the Canucks last season. His 94 hits led all Canucks forwards.
The six-foot-two, 217-pound Gaunce also had two goals and an assist in four appearances with the American Hockey League's Utica Comets.
In his debut NHL season in 2015-16, Gaunce had a goal in 20 appearances with the Canucks. He also had career-highs in goals (17), assists (21) and points (38) in 46 games with the Comets.
Gaunce was originally selected by Vancouver in the first round, 26th overall, at the 2012 NHL draft.
The Canadian Press