Zach Dean Cleared by NHL/NHLPA Program, Returns to AHL Thunderbirds

St. Louis Blues forward Zach Dean, 22, has been cleared by the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and is set to return to the Springfield Thunderbirds, the team's AHL affiliate. Dean was placed in the program before the season, missing all games to date. He played 11 games with the Thunderbirds last year, recording one goal and four points. A 2021 first-round pick by Vegas, Dean was acquired by the Blues in the Ivan Barbashev trade and is due for RFA status at season's end.