As they prepare for a three-game road trip over the next week, the New York Islanders this morning announced the return of Otto Koivula to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL.
Koivula, 21, is a big winger-turned-center who got his NHL debut this season a little sooner than expected. After Bridgeport coach Brent Thompson converted him to center early last season, he had a terrific year in the AHL which accelerated the timeline for when he might get some NHL time.
As the Islanders faced some injuries and a still-nagging hole at center, Koivula was recalled in mid November.