Canucks recall Aatu Raty, prospect acquired in Horvat trade, from AHL

The Vancouver Canucks have recalled forward Aatu Raty and defenceman Guillaume Brisebois ahead of Thursday's game against the St. Louis Blues.

The moves come after defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was placed on the injured reserve earlier this week. Forward Phillip Di Giuseppe was sent down to AHL Abbotsford in a corresponding move.

Raty, 20, was acquired from the Islanders in the Bo Horvat trade. He was originally a second-round pick in 2021, but at one time was considered one of the best prospects of that year. While he fell in the draft, Raty did play 12 NHL games with the Islanders this season before the trade, scoring two goals.

"He’s a solid skater, has good puck touch, a quick release and can be a threat off the rush," former NHL scout Jason Bukala wrote in an analysis piece for Sportsnet after the Horvat trade. "Raty is six-foot-two, 187 pounds, and when he’s fully engaged, he isn’t shy about playing between the dots in all three zones and finding pucks around the crease. He has the potential to, in time, find a spot on either the second or third line with the Canucks and be used at even strength and the power play."

Raty has one assist in eight games with AHL Abbotsford since the trade but had had 15 points in 27 AHL games with New York's Bridgeport affiliate.

"I want to work on my all-around game," he said after the trade. "I think it's good but it definitely has to be better in order to be a winning player. But I think the biggest thing is my skating; I think it's improved this year but I still really want it to get better. It's such a fast league."