(Vancouver) Free agent Pius Suter signed a two-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.

The striker will pocket an average annual salary of US$1.6 million.

The 27-year-old center from Switzerland arrives in Vancouver after spending the past two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.

Suter had 29 goals and 31 assists in 161 games with the Red Wings.

Suter made his NHL debut as an undrafted rookie in the 2020-21 season with the Chicago Blackhawks. He had 14 goals and 13 assists in 55 games.

“The addition of Pius for the next two years helps solidify our center position,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. It will also be a nice addition for our penalty kill unit. »

Suter played six seasons with the ZSC Lions in the Swiss National League, where he scored 173 points in 216 season appearances and 16 points in 28 playoff games.