Lightning Reassign G Riku Helenius to ECHL Mississippi

January 22, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release

TAMPA BAY, FL - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, goaltender Riku Helenius from the Admirals to the ECHL's Mississippi Sea Wolves, Admirals General Manager Mike Butters announced today.

Helenius, a 6-foot-3, 202-pound goaltender from Palkane, Finland, has appeared in one game with the Admirals this season. He made his AHL debut in relief on January 2 in Worcester, stopping 11 of 12 shots without receiving a decision. Helenius appeared in two preseason games for the Admirals, going 1-1-0 with a 4.00 goals-against average and .840 save percentage.

In 11 ECHL games this season, Helenius is 4-5-2 with a 3.80 GAA and .896 save percentage. He has gone 1-1-1 in three games with the Sea Wolves, posting a 3.53 GAA and .944 save percentage. The 20-year-old went 3-4-1 in his first eight games of North American professional hockey with the Augusta Lynx 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.

Helenius appeared in his first North American season last year with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. He notched a 22-12-6 record in 41 games with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. Helenius was originally drafted in the first round (15th overall) by Tampa Bay in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

The Admirals' nine-game homestand continues with a Friday matchup with the Lake Erie Monsters. Opening faceoff at Scope will be at 7:15 p.m. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a free Admirals bucket hat courtesy of Bank of the Commonwealth and Fox43.

To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2008-09 season tickets today. 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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