The Vancouver Canucks announced Wednesday that they have sent forward Jake Virtanen to the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League.
In 10 games this year with the Canucks, the 20-year-old had one assist and has struggled under head coach Willie Desjardins.
Canucks GM Jim Benning has implied that the team will have Virtanen play two games with Utica this weekend, then have him come back to the Canucks.
Last year, Virtanen made great strides and many believed he would have a breakout year this season.
His rough relationship with Desjardins has been well documented and was often finding him stuck on the third, or even the fourth line sometimes.
With a youth movement well underway, many wonder what his role will be with the Canucks moving forward.