Canucks add a veteran on defence

DALLAS — The Canucks are getting some injury relief on defence, but not today. Minor-league defenceman Brad Lukowich has cleared re-entry waivers and will join the National Hockey League team, but won't be in today's lineup against the Dallas Stars.

Lukowich, who spent the first half of the season in the minors due to his salary not his ability, will upgrade the depth on defence after Vancouver culled Mathieu Schneider, then lost Kevin Bieksa to a serious calf and tendon injury.

Due to his salary, Lukowich, 33, required re-entry waivers and any NHL team could have claimed him for half price. Instead, the Canucks get an experienced, capable defenceman whose salary-cap hit ($1.567-million-US) is almost the same as Schneider's ($1.55 million).

Lukowich, a Cranbrook native who played junior hockey in Kamloops, has been on loan to the Stars' farm team in nearby Austin, Tex. Lukowich will join the team in Vancouver before the four-game homestand that begins Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Aaron Rome, who went from eighth to sixth on the depth chart this week, remains in the lineup for today's game. The Canucks are 2-0-1 on the road trip.