Vancouver Canucks forward Chris Higgins cleared waivers Wednesday and was assigned to the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League.
The Canucks placed Higgins on waivers Tuesday, two days after the team released a statement stating it was actively trying to trade him to make room for its younger forwards.
It is rare for an NHL team to publicly declare its intention to trade one of its players.
Higgins has struggled this season after breaking his foot in training camp, putting up just two goals and an assist in 25 games.
He still has another year left on his four-year deal that has an annual cap hit is US$2.5 million.
