Dallas has reassigned left wing Luke Gazdic, 19, to the Erie Otters, the OHL club announced Wednesday. That means the Otters will have Gazdic and center Zack Torquato, 19, for this weekend's games - at Guelph on Friday and at home against Kitchener on Saturday.
Torquato skated with the Otters on Wednesday. Gazdic had not returned in time for the practice.
Torquato was pleased his time with Detroit at the NHL Rookie Tournament and main camp in Traverse City, Mich. "I was a lot more comfortable. I knew what to expect," he said. Torquato said he had a positive meeting with Red Wings' officials before leaving camp.
"They're happy with my development. My skating has improved from what they saw (last season)," Torquato said. "They said I'm moving in the right direction."
In other news, defenseman Mitch Gaulton, 18, already out for the season following surgery on his left elbow in the summer, underwent minor surgery on that arm on Monday to alleviate a case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, he said Wednesday.
The condition causes pain, tingling and numbness in the hand from pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, according to www.webmd.com. Gaulton's condition developed because of swelling in his arm following his last elbow surgery, he said. The latest procedure relieved pressure in his arm. "It will help my recovery go faster," Gaulton said.