Ex-Bruins Defenseman Dealt More Tough Luck; Expected To Miss Rematch Vs. Boston

Jake DeBrusk had his moment against his former team less than three weeks ago when the Vancouver Canucks forward scored against the Boston Bruins.

The same type of opportunity to stand in the spotlight against the Bruins won’t come to Derek Forbort when Vancouver and Boston meet for a rematch Saturday night.

Forbort, who missed the first matchup against the Bruins, won’t be on the ice once again to take on his former club. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet told reporters following morning skate that Forbort wasn’t expected to play due to an illness going through the team, per Sportsnet’s Brendan Batchelor. Erik Brannstrom is expected to take Forbort’s spot in the lineup.

It’s been a tough first season with Vancouver for Forbort, who was one of three former Bruins skaters to join the Canucks this offseason. Danton Heinen also made the move from Boston to Vancouver.

Forbort has played just five games for the Canucks this season, missing time in October due to the death of his father while also spending a stint on injured reserve due to a knee injury. The veteran defenseman was activated off IR Thursday and received 19:39 of ice time in a 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers. It was Forbort’s first game since Nov. 2.

The illness is just another hurdle thrown in Forbort’s way. The 32-year-old also dealt with a significant injury in his final season with the Bruins, which limited him to just 35 games.

Forbort, who signed a one-year deal with the Canucks, will now have to wait until next season to face the Bruins as Boston and Vancouver wrap up their two-game regular season series Saturday. Puck drop from Rogers Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET and you can catch complete coverage of the game on NESN.