It looks like the Red Wings are ensuring that all their AHL players get to play ahead of a late-starting AHL season:
The @viennacapitals have announced the signing ✍️ of @DetroitRedWings goalie Calvin Pickard until end of December, to replace Sebastian Wraneschitz, who will be part of Austrian’s U20 national team. #UnitedByPassion | #ICETransfers
? (c) Detroit Red Wings pic.twitter.com/BX9k5u9rKL— bet-at-home ICE Hockey League (@betathomeICE) December 1, 2020
Update: The Red Wings made it official:
Update: The #RedWings have loaned goaltender Calvin Pickard to the Vienna Capitals (ICEHL). pic.twitter.com/z1hQgUQScG— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 1, 2020
Update #2: The Free Press’s Helene St. James weighs in:
In what does not seem encouraging news that there will be professional hockey in North America soon, the Detroit Red Wings have loaned another player to a team in Europe.
The Wings announced Tuesday that minor-league goaltender Calvin Pickard has been assigned to the Vienna Capitals in Austria.
While hockey leagues across Europe have had to postpone numerous games because of the pandemic, they are in action. That is in contrast to professional leagues in North America, which are aiming to start playing in the new year. The NHL has targeted a Jan. 1 start date, though that grows more unlikely as it’s already December.
