It's official -- Dustin Tokarski recalled by Lightning

Well, that answers that.

The Tampaa Bay Lightning have announced that Dustin Tokarski has been recalled from AHL Norfolk.  From the official press release:

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled goaltender Dustin Tokarski (toe-CAR-skee) from the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.

Tokarski, 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, is in his first professional season after finishing his junior career with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League in 2008-09.  He has played in 25 games with the Admirals this season, including last night’s 4-3 win against the Hershey Bears, making 28 saves.  The rookie has been impressive this season, posting a 2.68 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and a 12-13-0 record.

A native of Watson, Saskatchewan, Tokarski played three seasons with Spokane, posting a 77-39-7 record in 124 games with a 2.18 goals-against average.  Last season he posted a 34-18-2 record in 54 games with a 1.97 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.  Tokarski led the WHL in GAA, SV%, shutouts and was fifth in wins.  He also backstopped the Chiefs to the 2008 Memorial Cup Championship, while being named the most valuable player in the playoffs, the top goaltender in the playoffs and was named to the playoff All-Star Team.

Tokarski helped Canada to the Gold Medal at the 2009 World Junior Championships, posting a 4-0 record with a 2.65 GAA and a .906 save percentage.  He turned aside 39 of 40 shots in the Gold Medal Game against Sweden as Canada won, 5-1.

The 20-year-old was selected by the Lightning in the fifth round, 122^nd overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

 

Tokarski will likely be backing up Antero Niittymaki tonight and Saturday, and may get his first professional start  during the Lightning's back-to-back contests against either the Carolina Hurricanes or New York Rangers next week.