Even though Jordan Subban scored the first goal in the Vancouver Canucks’ preseason opener on September 23, the young defenceman won’t be playing with the team this season.

General manager Jim Benning announced today (September 25) that Subban, along with a dozen other prospects have been either reassigned or released.

A handful will return to their junior clubs. Subban will continue with the Belleville Bulls in Ontario. Centre Cole Cassels will also head to Ontario to play for Oshawa. Defenceman Anton Cederholm has been released to the Portland Winterhawks.

Six players have been assigned to the Canucks’ affiliates team, the Utica Comets in New York. These include left wingers Mike Zalewski, Dane Fox, and Kellan Lain, as well as defenceman Jeremie Blain, and centre Alex Mallet.

Three players have been released. Spencer Humphries and Curtis Valk will attend Utica Comets training camp, and 19-year-old goalie Austin Lotz will return home to Manitoba. 

The Canucks continue their preseason against the Flames in Calagary tonight, and return to Vancouver on Friday (September 26) to host Calagary at Rogers Arena.