The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled four players from the American Hockey League on an emergency basis following multiple injuries.
The team confirmed that goaltender Artur Akhtiyamov, forwards Luke Hames and Ryan Tverberg, and defenseman William Villeneuve were all called up from the Toronto Marlies.
Forward Bo Groulx was sent back to the Marlies in the same move.
The call-up came after a game in Washington, where Toronto lost Anthony Stolarz, Brandon Carlo and Dakota Joshua to injury.
All three have been ruled out ahead of Thursday’s game against the New York Islanders.
Head coach Craig Berube confirmed that Akhtiyamov would make his first NHL start in goal.
The 24-year-old has posted a 20-12-4 record in 36 games with the Marlies this season, along with a 2.90 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.
Already out of the playoff race, the injury-plagued Maple Leafs will look to disrupt an Islanders team still fighting for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
