This has been a busy week for Canucks general manager Jim Benning.
After a massive shift in the philosophy of the organization, made apparent when the Canucks traded Alex Burrows to Ottawa for 19-year-old prospect Jonathan Dahlen and then Jannik Hansen to San Jose for forward and 2014 first-round draft pick Nikolay Goldobin, Benning went out and added size to the club’s prospect pool by signing free agent forward Zack MacEwen of the Gatineau Olympiques to a three-year entry-level contract on Friday.
MacEwen turns 21 years old on July 8. He was never drafted. Size up the middle of the ice is the first element that naturally stands out, with MacEwen listed at 6'4" tall and 212 pounds.
“Zack is a physical two-way forward who plays in the tough areas and competes with a high intensity every night,” said Benning in a statement.
“He has good hands especially for a player of his size; combined with an ability to deliver hard checks and stick up for his teammates, Zack is a difficult player to match up against.”
Per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Vancouver wasn’t the only team interested:
There isn’t as much action on CHL kids because most get drafted before free agency is reality. One who has captured attention if Zack MacEwen of QMJHL Gatineau. Ottawa, Tampa, Toronto and Vancouver are all believed to be among those interested. He was invited to Anaheim’s camp last September
This season, MacEwen has 27 goals and 62 points in 59 games with Gatineau in the QMJHL.