Lehtonen back with Wolves

Posted January 22, 2010 10:00 pm

The Atlanta Thrashers have assigned goaltender Kari Lehtonen (CAR-ee LEH-tuh-nehn) to the Chicago Wolves for a conditioning stint.

The 26-year-old netminder has not appeared in any games this season due to injury.

The second overall pick in the 2002 National Hockey League Entry Draft has appeared in 204 NHL games with the Thrashers, spanning five seasons (2003 to 2009) and has recorded a 2.87 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and 94-83-17 record in those outings.

Lehtonen is the Thrashers all-time leader among goaltenders in games played (204), wins (94), shutouts (14), and save percentage (.912).

The Helsinki, Finland, native began his North American career with the Wolves and posted a 60-31-4 mark in 98 career outings with Chicago from 2003 to 2005, and a two-game conditioning stint in 2007. His 60 wins and 8 shutouts with Chicago rank second in franchise history behind Wolves General Manager Wendell Young's 169 victories and 16 shutouts.

Lehtonen recorded professional career-highs with a franchise-best 38 wins in 57 regular-season games with the Wolves in 2004-05 to help Chicago reach the Calder Cup Finals.

The Wolves take on the Milwaukee Admirals in an Amtrak Rivalry game at the Bradley Center at 7 p.m. Friday, before traveling to Peoria for a battle with the Rivermen at Carver Arena on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Wolves host Grand Rapids for a 3 p.m. game at Allstate Arena.

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