Canucks ink Garrison to six-year deal By Sports Network

Jason Garrison battles Rangers forward Ryan Callahan along the boards at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., Nov. 23, 2011. (HANS DERYK/Reuters)

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Canucks reeled in free agent defenseman Jason Garrison with a six-year contract Sunday.

The deal comes with an annual cap hit of $4.6-million.

Garrison turned in a career year in 2011-12 with the Florida Panthers, totaling personal bests of 16 goals (also a Panthers single-season record for defensemen), 17 assists and 33 points in 77 games.

The 27-year-old British Columbia native and undrafted free agent out of Minnesota-Duluth recorded 23 goals and 59 points in 190 games over four NHL seasons -- all with Florida.