Meet the new guys: Canucks youngsters get their chance following mumps outbreak

In the National Hockey League, one player's misfortune is often another's opportunity.

That wasthe situation Saturday night for four new VancouverCanuckscall-ups who prepared to step into the lineup on short notice.

Earlier today, the team recalled defencemenEvan McEneny andJordan Subban, as well as forwards AlexandreGrenier andJoe LaBate.

All but Subban dressed for Saturday night's game.

Grenieris the leading scorer so far this season forthe Utica Comets, theCanucks' minor league affiliate. Tonight will be his seventh NHL game.

"It's really exciting right now," he told reporters. "I'm still trying to prove what I can bring and just give it another shot."

'It's a dream come true'

The four call-ups have nine NHL games worth of experience between them.

"It was kind of a shock. I was expecting to play a game last night and then I got the news from the coach," NHL rookie McEnenytold reporters,saying he arrived in Vancouverfrom UticaFriday night.

"It's a dream come true. I couldn't have been happier."

The team is having to dig deep into its farm system after a case of mumps forced five players out of the lineup for itsgame against the visiting San Jose Sharks.

On Friday, the team announced thatdefencemanTroyStecherhad contracted the virus.

Four other players ChrisTanev,NikitaTryamkin, MikeChaputandMarkusGranlund were placedunder quarantine because they showed symptoms consistent with mumps.

Three of the team's regular sixdefencemenare out for Saturday's game.

And,Granlundhad been playing on the top line withHenrikand DanielSedinas well as theCanuckstop power play unit.

The absences hit the team hard as the Canucks fight to remain in contention for making the post-season.

The team has won only three of its last ten games going into Saturday's contest against the division-leading San Jose Sharks.

The Canucks sitnine points back of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.