AHL Norfolk Admirals

Lightning Reassign G Riku Helenius to ECHL Elmira

April 9, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have reassigned goaltender Riku Helenius to the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, it was announced today by Admirals General Manager Mike Butters. The Jackals are scheduled to begin their first-round Kelly Cup Playoff series against the Trenton Titans on Friday night at Trenton.

Helenius, a 6-foot-3, 202-pound goaltender from Palkane, Finland, is Norfolk's leader in both goals-against average and save percentage this season. In 25 games with the Admirals, Helenius went 9-15-0 with one shutout, a 2.72 GAA and a .918 save percentage. The rookie netminder made his NHL debut in relief on January 30 with Tampa Bay versus Philadelphia and stopped the two shots he faced in his only career NHL action to this point.

In 11 ECHL games between the Mississippi Sea Wolves and Augusta Lynx this season, Helenius is 4-5-2 with a 3.80 GAA and .896 save percentage. The 20-year-old went 3-4-1 in his first eight games of North American professional hockey with Augusta this season, recording his first Norfolk American pro win in his North American pro debut, stopping 44 of 46 shots on October 21 at Gwinnett. He went 1-1-1 in three games with the Sea Wolves, posting a 3.53 GAA and .944 save percentage.

The Admirals will continue a season-ending four-game road trip tomorrow night against the Binghamton Senators. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m., and the game can be heard on 100.5 MAX-FM.

Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. Affordable monthly payment plans are available for a limited time only! Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!

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