Last night’s loss to the Boston Bruins did more to the Lightning than just humiliate them, it cost them RW Steve Downie. Downie is out indefinitely with what is described as an ankle sprain. From the report filed by Damian Cristodero at the St. Pete Times, it was originally believed that Downie had broken his ankle.
With the loss of Downie and the need for a top-six wing, the Bolts have recalled Johan Harju form the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL. Harju had been with the Lightning in mid November and recorded no goals and was a minus-4 in five games. He’s been on fire as of late, earning player-of-the-week honors in the AHL.
The official recall release is below the fold.
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled forward Johan Harju (har-YOO) from the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League today, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced.
Harju, 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, has appeared in 17 games with the Admirals in his North American debut, recording 13 goals and 23 points with a plus-7 rating. He leads Norfolk in goals and points, tied for the lead with three power play goals and tied for second in assists. Harju has scored a goal in three of the Admirals’ previous four games. Harju was recently named the AHL’s Player of the Week for the period ending November 28 after notching six goals and seven points with a plus-5 rating. He also ranks tied for third in the league in goals.
A native of Overtornea, Sweden, Harju played in 55 regular season games with the Moscow Dynamo of the Kontinental Hockey League last season, recording four goals and 18 points. He played two playoff games with Moscow, recording a goal and eight penalty minutes.
Harju has represented Sweden at the previous two IIHF World Championships, held in Switzerland and Germany respectively. In 2009 he recorded two goals and four points. This past summer he notched four goals and five points.
He was selected by the Lightning in the sixth round, 167th overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
