Comets Roster Adds Three

by Mark Caswell, Jr.

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have reassigned defenseman Andrey Pedan and forward Brendan Gaunce to the AHL Utica Comets. In addition, the Comets Director of Hockey Operations Pat Conacher announced that the club has signed defenseman Carl Neill to an Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO).

Pedan, 22, appeared in 13 games for the Canucks this season, where he recorded at least two hits in each game played and led the team with 3.1 hits per game. He made his NHL debut earlier this season on December 1st at Los Angeles. The 6-4, 213-pound defenceman has also skated in 42 games for the Comets where he has registered 20 points (6-14-20) and 83 penalty minutes.

A native of Moscow, Russia, Pedan was originally selected by the New York Islanders, 63rd overall, at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Gaunce, 21, appeared in 20 games for the Canucks and in 43 games for Utica this season, where he currently ranks fourth among Comets skaters in points (33), second in goals (15) and ranks tied for sixth in assists (18). The 6-2, 207-pound forward made his NHL debut earlier this season on October 29th at Dallas and notched his first career goal the following night at Arizona.

A native of Markham, Ontario, Gaunce was originally selected by Vancouver in the first round, 26th overall, at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Neill, 19, appeared in 64 games with the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the QMJHL, where he collected 50 points (8-42-50) and 63 penalty minutes. Neill’s 50 points served as the sixth-most points by a defenseman in the league, and third most for any skater on his team.

A native of Blainville, PQ, Neill was selected by Vancouver in the fifth round, 144th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.