Canucks strike early, add 20-year-old free agent defenseman to their roster.

The Vancouver Canucks have struck early in the free agent market.

The team has announced the signing of 20-year-old defenseman Jalen Chatfield of the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires, Chatfield will now join the Canucks on an entry-level deal.

Chatfield was undrafted but went on to be signed by the Spitfires as a free agent in 2014 and has since competed in three seasons for the team, with a minimum of 60 games played in each of those seasons.

It's unclear if the Canucks intend to give him a shot at the NHL immediately or if he will merely be sent down to their American Hockey League affiliate.

[pub]