It’s official: Defenseman Andrew Martens today became the first Reign player called up to the AHL (if you exclude Jon Rheault, Ryan Card and Denny Johnston, who are all under contract to the Reign but started the season in Manchester). But Martens isn’t going to Manchester.

He’ll report to the Manitoba Moose, the Vancouver Canucks’ affiliate. Not coincidentally, the Reign just finished a two-game set at home against the Canucks’ ECHL affiliate, the Victoria Salmon Kings. Presumably the Vancouver/Manitoba brass liked what they saw from Martens, more than what they saw from their own guys playing for the Salmon Kings.

What does this mean for the Reign? For Martens? More in tomorrow’s editions…