According to a report in the Augusta Chronicle [6], the Tampa Bay Lightning have reassigned goaltending prospect and 2006 1st round pick Riku Helenius [7] from the AHL's Norfolk Admirals to the ECHL's Augusta Lynx. This move was not unexpected as Helenius had been a healthy scratch for both of Norfolk's season opening games last weekend behind goaltenders Karri Ramo [8] and Mike McKenna [9].
Helenius joins Tampa defensive prospect Kevin Quick [10] who was reassigned last week, and the Lynx expect Helenius' arrival by as early as noon on Thursday. The Lynx open their 2008-09 season at home Friday night against the Mississippi Sea Wolves.
This season might prove to be a challenge for the Lynx with a relatively young and inexperienced roster comprised of nine rookies and seven more 2nd year pros. No player on the Lynx roster qualifies as an ECHL veteran of 250 professional games.