Canucks send Markstrom to Utica for conditioning

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom is headed to Utica of the AHL on a conditioning assignment, the club announced.

Markstrom's rehabbing a hamstring injury suffered in early October, and has yet to play this season. He had a strong preseason, posting a .962 save percentage in four games.

Richard Bachman's been backing up Ryan Miller in Markstrom's absence.

Vancouver announced it also sent defenseman Alex Biega and forward Brendan Gaunce to Utica.