Virtanen expected to return to Canucks, not junior

Fortunately for Jake Virtanen, who just wrapped up a World Junior Hockey Championship to forget, it appears as though he'll be able to turn the page on that chapter of his career.

Though he was held to one point and was culpable in Canada's quarterfinal undoing, Virtanen will be brought back to the Vancouver Canucks and not returned for further seasoning at the major junior level, Canucks GM Jim Benning said, according to Sportsnet's John Shannon.

Virtanen was loaned to Canada after making the Canucks and appearing in 19 games, scoring a goal and four points.

There was a suggestion Virtanen may be better served playing front-line minutes for the Calgary Hitmen, rather than taking bottom-six minutes for Willie Desjardins.

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