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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Tampa Bay Lightning Recall Slater Koekkoek and Joel Vermin, Reassign Brian Hart to Syracuse Crunch

March 26, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled defenseman Slater Koekkoek and forward Joel Vermin from the Syracuse Crunch, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today. The Lightning have also reassigned Brian Hart to the Crunch from the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

Koekkoek, 22, has skated in 55 games with the Crunch this season, posting five goals and 15 points to go along with 24 penalty minutes. Koekkeok has played in six games with the Lightning this season. He recorded his first NHL point with an assist on March 7 at the Philadelphia Flyers. Koekkoek's last appearance came on March 8 against the Boston Bruins, in which he logged 11:05 in ice time. He has played in nine career NHL games, all with Tampa Bay.

The native of Winchester, Ontario was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the first round, 10th overall, at the 2012 NHL Draft.

Vermin, 5-foot-10, 187 pounds, has played in six games with the Lightning this season, recording one assist. He made his NHL debut on November 19 and recorded his first point on November 21 at the Anaheim Ducks. Vermin recorded a season-high for ice time on November 21 against the Ducks with 12:22. He has skated in 29 games with the Crunch this season, notching six goals and 17 points.

A native of Frauenkappelen, Switzerland, Vermin was selected by the Lightning in the seventh round, 186th overall, of the 2013 NHL Draft.

Hart, 22, has appeared in 21 games with the Crunch this season, recording two goals and 12 penalty minutes. During the 2015-16 season, Hart has also skated in 33 contests with the Swamp Rabbits, notching nine goals and three assists to go along with two penalty minutes.

Prior to his professional career, the 6-foot-3, 222-pound forward skated in 37 games with the Harvard Crimson during the 2014-15 season, recording seven goals and 17 points. The Cumberland, Maine native ranked sixth on the Crimson for goals and tied for seventh for points. He played in 98 career games with Harvard over three seasons, recording 18 goals and 50 points.

Hart was drafted in the second round, 53rd overall, by the Lightning in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed to a three-year, two-way NHL contract with the team on June 28.

Syracuse Crunch single game and season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased either in person at the Crunch Box Office located in the War Memorial at 800 South State Street in Syracuse or by calling the office at 315-473-4444. For the latest Crunch news, visit www.syracusecrunch.com or follow the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch), Twitter (@SyracuseCrunch) and Instagram (@officialsyracusecrunch) using #SyrCrunch and #BelieveInBlue.

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