Lightning's Koekkoek ecstatic about making NHL debut against Maple Leafs
Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman left the game with a lower-body injury Monday against the Montreal Canadiens. That was the bad news.
The good news was for youngster Slater Koekkoek, who was called up from the AHL's Syracuse Crunch to fill the void left by Hedman's absence.
The 10th overall selection in the 2012 Entry Draft will make his NHL debut on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Koekkoek, who has 24 points in 66 games for the Crunch, wasn't expecting the call, but decided to keep his phone on just in case.
"Luckily I did," he told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.
"It was a dream come true," Koekkoek said of receiving the call from the Lightning. "My heart was pounding. It's just an honor to be here."
Koekkoek was born in Winchester, Ontario - close to Ottawa - but was a Leafs fan growing up, so the experience of playing against Toronto in his first game will be extra special.
"I grew up, and Toronto was my favorite team," said Koekkoek. "It should be exciting. I know the nerves will be going at first, but it'll be good."
The youngster is slated to play alongside another recent call-up in Luke Witkowski, who has just 11 games of NHL experience to his name.