Lightning recall rookie Jonathan Drouin from AHL assignment

Jonathan Drouin is ready for his NHL debut after being recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday night. Drouin, the No. 3 overall pink in the 2013 draft, is

Jonathan Drouin is ready for his NHL debut after being recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday night.

Drouin, the No. 3 overall pink in the 2013 draft, is set to kick off his rookie campaign after a short rehab assignment for a fractured thumb sustained in training camp. During his two-game stretch with Syracuse, Drouin notched his first professional goal, a game-winner against the Springfield Falcons, and added two assists to go with nine shots. 

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Already considered a front-runner for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, Drouin will be joined in the big leagues by defenseman Luke Witkowski. He was recalled to help fill in for Victor Hedman, ruled out for the remainder of the team's road trip with an upper-body injury. 

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Witkowski, who has seen action in all four games this season for Syracuse, racked up an assist to go with 15 penalty minutes. Last season he skated in 76 games with Syracuse,  collecting 12 points and a team-leading 204 penalty minutes.

-- Whitneigh Kinne