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Canucks land defenceman Cole Clayton and two draft picks in Sharks trade

A bold trade reshapes Vancouver’s blue line and draft strategy. Meet Cole Clayton—the undrafted defenceman now poised to make his mark in Abbotsford.

,   and  ASMedia
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The image shows a hockey player on the ice with a stick in his hand, surrounded by a group of...
The image shows a hockey player on the ice with a stick in his hand, surrounded by a group of people wearing caps and holding hockey sticks. In the background, there are many people sitting on chairs and some standing, as well as railings and boards with text. The text on the boards reads "Colorado Avalanche vs San Jose Sharks - 3/24/15 NHL Pick, Odds, and Prediction".

Canucks land defenceman Cole Clayton and two draft picks in Sharks trade

The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenceman Cole Clayton along with two second-round draft picks from the San Jose Sharks. The trade involved sending Kiefer Sherwood to the Sharks in return. Clayton, a right-shot blueliner, will now report to the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

Clayton began his professional career after signing with the Sharks as an undrafted free agent on July 1, 2025. Before turning pro, he stood out in junior hockey, leading all WHL defencemen in goals and points during the 2020-21 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

This season, Clayton played 33 games for the San Jose Barracuda, recording five points and 21 penalty minutes. Over his AHL career, he has appeared in 257 games, contributing 66 points and 162 penalty minutes. The trade also boosts Vancouver’s draft capital. The Canucks now hold seven picks in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and eight in the 2027 edition.

Clayton will join the Abbotsford Canucks as part of the organisation’s AHL roster. The additional draft picks strengthen Vancouver’s future prospects. The deal marks the latest move in the team’s ongoing roster adjustments.

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