Amid a winless start to their season, the Vancouver Canucks have made roster altercations by sending down forward Aatu Räty to the AHL for assignment with the Abbotsford Canucks. While the team has yet to announce it, Räty being sent down makes room for defenceman Erik Brannstrom to join the big club.

It was the summer of Räty in Canucks land this offseason. First, he centred a top line of himself, Arshdeep Bains and Jonathan Lekkerimäki, who were the standouts at the Young Stars Classic. He rolled that over into a strong training camp, where he centred paired with Nils Höglander and Conor Garland. And then he posted two points in four preseason games, showing off his unique faceoff technique, winning 53.9% of his draws, officially earning himself a roster spot on opening night.

The Finnish forward started the regular season with familiar faces as he slotted alongside Höglander and Garland. Räty nabbed his first assist of the season in the opening frame against the Calgary Flames off the stick of Garland. However, despite his 60.9% faceoff percentage, he’s struggled to find consistent ice time, averaging 9:41 minutes per game and was sent to Abbotsford.

Last season in the AHL, Räty played in all 72 games, finishing with 18 goals, 34 assists for 52 points, and a plus-two rating. He also added two goals and two assists for four points in six postseason games.

There has already been a lot of lineup shuffling through three games this season. Every forward line outside of the third line has changed since opening night. Now, the Canucks’ third line will have a new faceoff man, Teddy Blueger or Pius Suter. Both players have one point this season, Blueger in three games and Suter in two.

Räty will have an opportunity to make his AHL season debut on Friday, October 18, against the Colorado Eagles. The 6’2″ centreman will remain the number-one call-up option for the Canucks moving forward.