Canucks Announce Multiple Roster Moves

The Canucks have made some shakeups to their roster heading into tomorrow’s game against the Islanders.  The team announced (Twitter link) that they’ve recalled goaltender Jiri Patera and defenseman Elias N. Pettersson from AHL Abbotsford.  To make room on the roster, netminder Nikita Tolopilo and blueliner Victor Mancini were sent down.

Patera is up with Vancouver for the fourth time this season but playing time in his first three stints was limited to just one start, one that saw him allow seven goals on 40 shots.  The 26-year-old has spent the bulk of the year in Abbotsford, posting a strong 2.49 GAA with a .915 SV% in 16 games.  He’ll now serve as Kevin Lankinen’s backup for the time being while allowing Tolopilo to get some extra game action in.

As for Pettersson, he has spent the majority of the year in the NHL but was sent down to get into a couple of games with Abbotsford.  He was held off the scoresheet in those outings while he has a goal and five assists in 38 games with Vancouver while averaging 13:40 per night of playing time.

Tolopilo was brought up when Thatcher Demko went down with his latest injury.  He made two starts while on recall but didn’t fare particularly well in either of them, allowing six goals to both Montreal and Edmonton.  He has fared a little better in the minors, putting up a 3.02 GAA and a .900 SV% in 11 outings in Abbotsford.

Mancini, meanwhile, got the call to rejoin Vancouver last week when Pettersson went down.  He got into four games on this stint, bringing his season total to nine although he’s still looking for his first point.  The 23-year-old has suited up in 20 games for Abbotsford, picking up a goal and five assists and will now get a chance to add to those totals.