The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenceman Mark Friedman to a one-year contract worth US$775,000, the NHL club announced Wednesday.

The 28-year-old from Toronto had an assist, 21 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating over 23 games with the Canucks last season.

He added a goal and three assists in four games with the American Hockey League鈥檚 Abbotsford Canucks.

The five-foot-11, 185-pound defenceman has 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and 70 penalty minutes over 88 career NHL games with Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Vancouver.

He has one assist in six playoff appearances with the Penguins.

Friedman was selected by Philadelphia in the third round, 86th overall, of the 2014 NHL draft.

鈥淢ark鈥檚 addition to our group last year gave us some much-needed depth and he is someone we can count on if plugged into our lineup,鈥� Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. 鈥淗e is a team-first player and is always ready to step in if called upon.

鈥淲e expect him to come into camp and compete hard for a regular spot this season.鈥�