Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen is trading in Canucks colours for the red and white.
The Vancouver Canucks announced on Sunday that they are loaning the 19-year-old to Team Canada for the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship tournament.
Virtanen is no stranger to the tournament, as he was part of Team Canada’s gold medal win in 2015. He posted four points along with a plus-four rating.
He has played in two games for the AHL’s Utica Comets on a conditioning assignment and in 19 games with the Canucks in his rookie season, recording four points and 15 penalty minutes.
He is also currently fourth among NHL rookies in hits with 53. The 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held in Helsinki, Finland and takes place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
