The Vancouver Canucks recalled blue-liner Erik Brannstrom from the AHL Thursday as defenseman Derek Forbort has stepped away for personal reasons, the team announced.
Vancouver signed Forbort to a one-year, $1.5-million deal as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason. The 6-foot-4 rearguard has logged one assist and five blocks in three outings in 2024-25 while averaging 16:53 minutes of ice time.
The Canucks acquired Brannstrom from the Colorado Avalanche in early October in exchange for the injured Tucker Poolman and a 2025 fourth-round pick. Brannstrom has since appeared in two outings with Vancouver's AHL affiliate, recording three assists and seven shots on goal.
Brannstrom spent the first six campaigns of his professional career with the Ottawa Senators and posted 20 points in a career-high 76 showings last campaign.
The 25-year-old became a free agent in the summer after Ottawa didn't tender him a qualifying offer. Colorado then signed him to a one-year deal worth $900,000. Brannstrom, the 15th overall pick in 2017, can become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights once his pact expires.
The Canucks are still looking for their first win of the season and will take on the Florida Panthers on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
