Comets’ Top Scorer Dealt At NHL Deadline For Ex-AHL MVP

The Utica Comets' parent club made a pair of moves at the NHL trade deadline and it means local hockey fans are saying goodbye to a familiar face. 

The Vancouver Canucks are sending Dustin Jeffrey to the New York Islanders. He was Utica's leading point scorer (41) this season, ranking second in both goals (17) and assists (24).

In return, the Canucks are getting former AHL most valuable player Cory Conacher. The 25-year-old earned the honor during the 2011-12 season when he tallied 80 points including 39 goals while playing in Norfolk, helping the Admirals to a Calder Cup championship.

Conacher has played in 141 NHL games, split among the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres and most recently with the New York Islanders. His NHL stat line is (19-39-58).

In a separate deal, the Canucks have acquired Sven Baertschi - a Swed who's played for both the Calgary and Adirondack Flames this season - for a second round draft pick. In 15 games with Calgary, Baertschi has registered four assists. He posted 8 goals and 17 assists in 36 games with Adirondack.