The Canucks have signed one of their prospects as the team announced today that they’ve signed forward Ty Mueller to a three-year, entry-level contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. GM Patrik Allvin released the following statement on the signing:
Ty has continued to develop and take important steps forward since we drafted him. He is a smart two-way hockey player who we look forward to working with as he makes the transition from college hockey to the pro game.
It hasn’t been all that long since Vancouver drafted the 21-year-old as they picked him in the fourth round (105th overall) last June. At that point, Mueller was coming off a strong sophomore year with Nebraska-Omaha, one that saw him put up a dozen goals and 13 assists in 34 games, good enough to get him drafted in his final season of eligibility. Had he not been drafted then, he instead would have been part of this college free agent class.
Mueller wasn’t quite able to build on those offensive numbers this season as he had 11 goals and 15 helpers in 40 games, good for a tie for third in team scoring. While he could have elected to stay for his senior year and try to end his college career on a high note, he’ll instead turn pro.
The team didn’t note it if this is a contract that burns a year right away in which case he’d finish up the season in Vancouver. If that’s not the case and the deal doesn’t start until 2024-25, Mueller would be eligible to sign an ATO with AHL Abbotsford to play down there for the stretch run with the Calder Cup playoffs now just a month away.