Canucks recall defenceman Patrick Wiercioch

With Erik Gudbranson being suspended for tonight’s contest against the Sabres, the Canucks have recalled defenceman Patrick Wiercioch from the Utica Comets. The full press release is below:

At this moment, it is not determined if Wiercioch will play tonight but it appears that Alex Biega will draw into the lineup.

Gudbranson will be available for Sunday’s contest and the Canucks will be in Detroit, so if an injury happened then they could’ve just recalled a defender then. Wiercioch is likely up to be a safety net in case another defender is injured or sick prior to puck drop. The Comets do play the Rochester Americans tomorrow, so Wiercioch can just hop back in the car and be in the lineup for the Comets tomorrow. (if they so choose)

Wiercioch has been playing with Jordan Subban on the Comets ‘second pairing’ for his two games and has looked good. Playing a simple and smart game to allow Subban to be the puck transitioner. Wiercioch had a decent training camp with the Canucks and appeared poised to earn a spot out of camp, but the Canucks acquired Derrick Pouliot and thus someone had to be assigned to the Comets.

Wiercioch can remain on the Canucks roster for 10 games or 30 days before requiring waivers to be re-assigned to the Utica Comets. That number is a cumulative number, so if he comes back at another point in the year, it will be his total appearances or days on the roster.