The Vancouver Canucks are calling in the reinforcements, bringing up defenceman Alex Biega and forward Brendan Gaunce — a former first-round draft choice — from the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets.
The pair will fill roster sports for injured defenceman Dan Hamhuis, who didn’t dress in Tuesday’s 5-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, and winger Brandon Prust, who rolled his ankle during the game.
The 27-year-old Biega, a veteran minor leaguer, has appeared in five games with Utica this season as the team’s captain, collecting an assist (0-1-1) and two penalty minutes. Last season, he played seven games for the Canucks in his debut NHL campaign, scoring a goal.