It has been an interesting day for Ducks prospect Rodwin Dionicio. Earlier in the day, the AHL revealed that they suspended the defenseman for three games for his actions in San Diego’s game on Wednesday. Soon after, the Gulls announced that they’ve loaned Dionicio to EHC Biel-Bienne in Switzerland. While no timeline for the length of the loan was announced, it’s presumably for the remainder of the season.
Anaheim selected the 20-year-old in the fifth round in 2023 but he has outperformed his draft stock since then. Dionicio was quite productive at the OHL level last season, recording 73 points in 60 games between Windsor and Saginaw while adding 17 points in as many playoff contests. In between, he played a big role for Switzerland at the World Juniors, tallying four points in five games in that event.
Dionicio originally signed a three-year deal with Biel-Bienne but that deal was overridden by Anaheim signing him to an entry-level contract back in May. He had played exclusively with the Gulls this season, picking up five goals and four assists along with 42 penalty minutes in 24 games but he won’t be adding to those numbers now as he’ll return home to play out the season.
Dionicio won’t be able to bypass the AHL suspension overseas as he’ll have to serve his three-game ban whenever he returns to the Gulls. Meanwhile, he will continue to count against Anaheim’s 50-contract limit.