Report: Flames recall Juuso Valimaki from Stockton

With the Calgary Flames on the verge of capturing a conference and divisional title, they’ve called in reinforcements. According to Sportsnet’s Eric Francis, the club has recalled defenseman Juuso Valimaki from the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat.

The Flames’ first round selection in the 2017 NHL Draft, Valimaki went pro this season and made the Flames roster out of training camp. However, the 20-year-old saw things get derailed with a high ankle sprain he suffered in late November. He recovered slowly and then was sent to Stockton to get back up to game speed.

Well, good news, he’s been really good in the AHL. In 20 AHL contests he has amassed four goals and 14 points – including the game-winning goal in Saturday night’s win over San Diego.

In 22 NHL games in October and November, Valimaki had one goal and two points playing primarily on the third pairing.

Valimaki’s summoning will use up the third of Calgary’s four recalls they’re afforded after the trade deadline. After they use up their fourth recall, they can only call up players if they’re in emergency roster conditions due to injury.