Hurricanes activate Joni Pitkanen from IR after missing 44 games with concussion, knee injury

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have activated defenceman Joni Pitkanen from injured reserve.

The team made the move Wednesday and said he would be available to skate later that night against the Florida Panthers.

Pitkanen has missed 44 straight games since Dec. 6 and has skated in just 21 games this season because of a concussion and a knee injury. He had surgery on his left knee Jan. 3.

He has three goals, nine assists and eight penalty minutes.