The Florida Panthers have placed Roberto Luongo on injured reserve and recalled goaltender Michael Hutchinson from the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds on an emergency basis.
The 28-year-old Hutchinson registered a 1.85 goals against average and .957 save percentage in his debut with Springfield on Saturday against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, making 44 saves on 46 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss.
Hutchinson split the 2017-18 season between the Winnipeg Jets and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. With Winnipeg he posted a 2-1-0 record, 3.26 goals against average and .907 save percentage.
The move means Luongo will be out for at least a week and Hutchinson will serve as James Reimer’s backup.
Paul Thompson scored both goals for the Thunderbirds in the loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Harry Zolneirczyk had two assists and Dryden Hunt also contributed a helper.
The Panthers will have a 11 a.m. practice on Monday at the Florida Panthers IceDen.