Canucks recall D Cole Clayton from AHL Abbotsford

Clayton, 26, was acquired by the Canucks as part of the Kiefer Sherwood trade from the San Jose Sharks. Since being acquired, Clayton has suited up in 16 games for the Abbotsford Canucks, tallying two assists and 15 penalty minutes with a minus-5 rating.

The Strathmore, Alberta native was passed over in his draft year. After a strong 2020-21 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL, scoring nine goals and 30 points in 23 games, Clayton signed an AHL contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets’ affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.

In four seasons with the Monsters, Clayton scored 12 goals and 49 assists for 61 points in 224 games. His efforts earned him a one-year, NHL entry-level contract for the 2024-25 season, following his best season in the AHL with five goals and 15 assists for 20 points.

The Blue Jackets did not give Clayton a qualifying offer at season’s end, making him an unrestricted free agent, where he signed a two-way, $775,000 contract with the San Jose Sharks for the 2025-26 season.

With Myers on his way to the Dallas Stars, the right-shot defenceman will serve as the seventh defenceman in Vancouver. Ahead of him, the Canucks’ right side is Filip Hronek, Tom Willander and Victor Mancini.

Mancini struggled in his return to the lineup on Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. In 13:06 minutes of ice time, Mancini finished with a minus-three rating, being on the ice for the first three of the Hurricanes’ four goals in the second period.

The Canucks have 21 games remaining on the schedule before seasons end. If Clayton is to find his way into game action during this call-up, he will be making his NHL debut. And as management strives for the best overall odds of landing a top selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, players like Clayton and other American Leaguers could be called up to get a taste of NHL action.