Kevin Bieksa (who, courtesy of eastern Canadian CBC commentators, probably responds to Beeksa, Beskia…. and any number of other mutations at this point) is back in the game.

The Vancouver Canucks, the NHL affiliate of the Manitoba Moose, announced they have assigned defenceman Kevin Bieksa to Manitoba for conditioning.

After a 46-game absence due to that freakish skate-blade-lacerated calf muscle, he should be on the ice for the Moose tonight in Chicago, or—at worst—Friday night.