Ben Birnell

A familiar name has been added to the Utica Comets roster.

On Monday, the parent Vancouver Canucks assigned Brendan Gaunce to the Comets, who play Tuesday at Toronto.

The move comes because a player -- likely Ben Hutton, who has missed time with an injury -- is ready to come off the injured reserve for the Canucks. Gaunce also did not need to be placed on waivers to be assigned to the American Hockey League, making the move easier.

The 22-year-old Gaunce has played much of the season with the National Hockey League team, appearing in 47 games. Gaunce, who has played mostly on the fourth line with the Canucks, has five assists this season.

Gaunce helps provide a boost for the Comets, who are among the lowest-scoring teams in the AHL with 2.50 goals per game.

Gaunce, who is in his third professional season, has played in 120 regular-season games with the Comets totaling 28 goals and 67 points. Last season, Gaunce had 38 points in 46 games with the Comets.

The move gives Utica 14 healthy forwards as Derek Hulak and Joseph LaBate have each recently missed time with injuries.

The Comets play four games over the next week, including a home-and-home series with North Division rival Toronto. The Comets also play Friday at Springfield before returning home Sunday to play Syracuse.

The Comets and Marlies, who play Friday in Utica, are separated by a point in the division. Toronto moved ahead of Utica with a win Sunday over Syracuse.

The third-place team (St. John's) and the seventh-place team (Binghamton) in the division are separated by seventh points. The top four teams in the division make the playoffs.

The Comets, who are 0-2-1-1 in the last four games, have a busy February on tap with 32 regular-season games remaining.

The Comets begin a stretch Tuesday that features 11 games in 19 days. The schedule includes three games against Toronto and one each against Albany and Rochester.

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Gaunce assigned to Utica Comets - Utica Observer Dispatch