Panthers Recall Mikulas Hovorka; Place Tobias Bjornfot On The Injured Reserve

After sustaining an undisclosed injury against the Boston Bruins, the Florida Panthers have placed defenseman Tobias Bjornfot on the injured reserve.

Additionally, they have recalled defenseman Mikulas Hovorka from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

Bjornfot suffered his injury against the Bruins after recording just 8:27 of ice time. He had played 10 consecutive games since making his season debut on Jan. 17, scoring two goals and three points. 

No further information has been provided about Bjornfot’s injury. The ailment remains undisclosed, and the expected length of his absence is unknown.

With Bjornfot out, Donovan Sebrango is expected to return to the lineup tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s played 18 games this season, recording two assists. 

Earning his first call-up to the NHL is Hovorka, a 24-year-old, 6-foot-6 Czech defender. Hovorka is participating in his second season in North America. In his rookie season with the Checkers, he notched three goals and 10 points in 60 games. In 30 games this season, he’s scored two goals and 10 points. 

At the moment, the undrafted defenseman is slated to be a healthy scratch, but coach Paul Maurice mentioned that three players who played yesterday could be out of the lineup today.

Bjornfot is confirmed to be out, and Brad Marchand will likely miss tonight’s game after recording just 10:55 of ice time yesterday, leaving just one more player to be out of the lineup. Who sits will be determined during warmups, and if Maurice elects to rest a defenseman, Hovorka will enter the lineup and make his NHL debut. 

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