Due to Arizona Coyotes defenseman Juuso Välimäki being injured, the team have someone else who will lace up the skates and take his place tonight when they play the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Since Nov. 8, defenseman Michael Kesselring has been with the Coyotes following his promotion from the club’s AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners.
Previously, ‘Yotes defenseman Travis Dermott was listed as “week-to-week.
After blocking a shot from Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers in Arizona’s 4-3 overtime win on Nov. 7, Dermott was placed on injured reserve.
Moving forward, now Välimäki will be on the sidelines.
Välimäki took a puck to the mouth in the game against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 14 and his injury timeline is unknown at the time of reporting.
However, Välimäki is ruled out for tonight’s tilt with the Blue Jackets after head coach André Tourigny announced his game status when speaking to the media.
According to Tourigny, Välimäki had mouth surgery in Dallas and returned to Phoenix.
Because of this, Kesselring will make his first appearance in the NHL this season in Columbus.
So far, Kesselring has played in six games for Tucson this campaign and has a plus/minus rating of -2.
Kesselring suited up for nine games last season and assisted three times after being dealt to Arizona from the Edmonton Oilers before the NHL Trade Deadline in March.
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