SUNRISE, Fla. – With their blue line banged up, the Florida Panthers recalled defensemen Tobias Bjornfot and Mikulas Hovorka from the AHL on Wednesday.
No stranger to South Florida, Bjornfot has appeared in 26 games over the past three seasons with the Panthers. In 11 games this season, the 24-year-old has logged three points (2G, 1A) and a +4 plus/minus rating while averaging 11:33 of ice time per tilt.
In 32 games with the Charlotte Checkers this season, Bjornfot has notched 12 points (4G, 8A).
Earning a one-game stint with the Panthers and making his NHL debut back in February, Hovorka, who’s in the midst of his second season in North America, has been enjoying a strong year in the AHL, posting new career-highs in goals (4), assists (12) and points (16).
“He’s a big man and he’s got a long stick,” head coach Paul Maurice said of Hovorka prior to his debut at Tampa Bay on Feb. 2. “He moves well. I’d categorize him more as a puck-mover than necessarily a banger, but he’s rounded that part of his game out with Charlotte.”
With Niko Mikkola and Uvis Balinskis already sidelined for the rest of the season, the Panthers were dealt more blows in Tuesday’s win over Ottawa as Aaron Ekblad, Dmitry Kulikov and Donovan Sebrango all sustained injuries during the 6-3 rout of the Senators.
Putting their bodies on the line to secure the win, Ekblad blocked a shot with his hand, Kulikov took a deflected puck off the face and Sebrango blocked a shot with his skate.
After the game, Maurice said X-rays would be forthcoming.
While it’s unclear which players will be unavailable when the Panthers host the Boston Bruins at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, the arrival of Bjornfot and Hovorka signals that at least two of those three injured defensemen might not be able to suit up.
Stay tuned for more updates following tomorrow’s morning skate.
For tickets to Thursday's game, click HERE.
