Injuries to winger Brandon Prust and defenseman Dan Hamhuis have caused the Vancouver Canucks to call up forward Brendan Gaunce and defenseman Alex Biega from AHL Utica.
Prust rolled his ankle last night against Montreal. Hamhuis was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. It’s not known when either will be ready to return.
The Canucks play tomorrow in Dallas and Friday in Arizona.
Of the two call-ups, Gaunce may be the most likely to play, as Vancouver’s only other extra forward is Adam Cracknell, a center. The Canucks may also want to see what they’ve got in Gaunce, 21, before they decide whether to keep Jared McCann and/or Jake Virtanen.
Biega, 27, is likely just insurance against another injury. Matt Bartkowski replaced Hamhuis last night.