Breaking: Canucks send down Gaunce, make AHL call up

The Vancouver Canucks announced this morning that the’ve recalled forward Reid Boucher from the AHL’s Utica Comets and consequently have demoted Brendan Gaunce down to Utica.

The 25 year old Boucher has gotten off to a red hot start to the season in Utica with 10 goals and 16 points in 12 AHL games. The streaky scorer managed three goals and five points in 20 games with the Canucks last season. He’s a classic case of a player stuck between the NHL and the AHL. In the AHL he’s a stud offensive player, but he seems to lack the foot speed and the quick thinking required to put up points in the NHL. Here’s hoping he can find his game in short order during this recall.

As for Gaunce, the former first rounder continues to disappoint. He has three points in three games with the Canucks this season, but it’s clear that head coach Travis Green doesn’t trust the youngster with big minutes. The 24 year old has just six goals and 15 points in 117 career NHL games.