Vancouver, B.C. –Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the club has reassigned defenceman Alex Biega and forward Brendan Gaunce to the AHL Utica Comets. He also confirmed today that goaltender Jacob Markstrom has been assigned to Utica on a conditioning assignment.

Markstrom, 25, is returning from a hamstring injury he sustained on October 6th. Prior to the injury, Markstrom appeared in four preseason games for Vancouver, posting a record of 2-0-0 including one shutout, a 1.01 GAA, and a .962 save percentage. He appeared in three games with the Canucks in 2014.15 and 32 games with the Utica Comets, where he posted a record of 22-7-2, a GAA of 1.88, save percentage of 0.934 and five shutouts. Markstrom backstopped the Comets to the Calder Cup Finals with a 0.925 save percentage and 2.11 GAA through 23 games.

Gaunce, 21, has appeared in two games for Vancouver this season, making his NHL debut on Oct. 29 at Dallas and recording his first career goal on Oct. 30 at Arizona. He has also recorded two points (1-1-2) and six penalty minutes in five games with Utica this season. Gaunce made his professional debut playing with the Comets in 2014.15 where he finished seventh on the team in scoring, collecting 29 points (11-18-29) in 74 games. He also appeared in 21 playoff games for Utica, registering nine points (4-5-9) and 12 penalty minutes.

Biega, 27, has appeared in five games with Utica this season registering an assist (0-1-1) and two penalty minutes. He made his NHL debut in 2014.15, appearing in seven games and notching one goal as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. Last season, Biega registered 19 points (3-16-19) and 24 penalty minutes in 62 games, ranking second in scoring among defencemen on the Utica Comets. Biega also played in 23 playoff games for Utica, collecting four points (0-4-4) and 16 penalty minutes.