Bye bye Bieksa: Canucks trade defenceman to Anaheim

Vancouver Canucks' Kevin Bieksa celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday December 26, 2010. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

The Vancouver Canucks have traded away team veteran Kevin Bieksa in exchange for a second round draft pick.

The team announced Tuesday defenceman Bieksa was headed to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the 2016 pick.

Today’s trade doesn’t come as a surprise. As reported by TSN on June 25, Bieksa agreed to waive his no-clause contract trade if the right trade came along.

The 34-year-old Ontario-native was originally selected as a fifth round draft pick for Vancouver back in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Bieksa, 34, scored four goals and 10 assists in 60 games with the Canucks in 2014-15.

He has one year remaining on his contract, worth an annual average of $4.6-million.

General Manager Jim Benning thanked Kevin and his wife Katie for their years of service to the team and community while in Vancouver.

“It’s always a difficult decision to trade a player who’s been such a big part of an organization for so long and we wanted to make sure we did what was best for both Kevin and the Canucks,” Benning said in a statement.

“Kevin was a leader for us and will always be connected with our fans and the Vancouver Canucks because of all he did for this province and team. We wish him and his family the very best.”

Bieksa has scored 56 goals and 185 assists in 597 career games.