Calgary Flames assign blueliner Ilya Solovyov to the AHL’s Wranglers

The Calgary Flames announced on Monday afternoon that they’ve assigned defenceman Ilya Solovyov to the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers.

The 23-year-old Solovyov played in two games during his call-up, working alongside Chris Tanev. The Flames lost both games and were out-scored 8-2 in the process, but Solovyov was solid and reliable in his role as a defence-first blueliner.

But with Rasmus Andersson returning from his four-game suspension, and the Flames already carrying seven defenders, it doesn’t make a ton of sense to carry two extra blueliners and Solovyov was the logical choice to return to the minors. He’ll bolster a Wranglers squad that’s rolling to start the season, posting a 5-0-1 record to this point.

With the move, the Flames now have a 22-player active roster: two goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards.

The Flames are back in action on Wednesday when they host the Dallas Stars. The Wranglers are back on Friday when they host the San Jose Barracuda.