The Anaheim Ducks have recalled defenseman Sami Vatanen from the Norfolk Admirals, Anaheim’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League. In addition, the Ducks have reassigned left wing Emerson Etem to Norfolk.
Vatanen, 22, earned six goals and 15 assists with a plus-9 rating in 48 regular-season games for the Ducks in 2013-14. He finished the regular season tied for fifth among rookie NHL defensemen and co-led Anaheim blueliners in goals. In 56 career NHL games, Vatanen has collected 23 points (8g, 15a) with a plus-12 rating.
Selected by Anaheim in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Vatanen has appeared in five of Norfolk’s postseason contests this spring, recording three assists and a plus-2 rating. The 5-foot-10, 183-pound defenseman scored two goals and five assists in eight regular-season games with Norfolk in 2013-14. In 70 career AHL games, the 2013 AHL All-Rookie defenseman has collected 11 goals and 41 assists for 52 points.
Etem, 21, went scoreless in four postseason games with the Ducks. The Long Beach, Calif., native appeared in 29 regular-season games with Anaheim in 2013-14, earning seven goals and four assists with a plus-3 rating.
Selected in the first round (29th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Etem has appeared in 67 career contests with the Ducks, collecting 10 goals and 11 assists with a plus-10 rating. In 11 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, he has three goals and two assists with a plus-4 rating.
The 6-foot-1, 206-pound winger played 50 regular-season contests with Norfolk in 2013-14, scoring 24 goals and 30 assists for 54 points with a plus-14 rating. In 97 career AHL contests, Etem has 38 goals, 33 assists and a plus-14 rating.
Norfolk is currently tied with St. John’s, 1-1, in the teams’ best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.
