DETROIT – With Jakub Kindl (upper body) placed on injured reserve, the Detroit Red Wings have recalled 21-year-old defenseman Xavier Ouellet.
Ouellet has appeared in nine games with the Red Wings this season, earning a goal and an assist for a +3 rating. His most recent game with the Wings was Dec. 19 against the New York Islanders. He was on the ice for 19:07 that night.
He'll be with the team Wednesday night when the Red Wings host the New Jersey Devils at Joe Louis Arena.
Kindl reportedly injured his elbow during Sunday's practice. Brian Lashoff, who was otherwise a healthy scratch, filled in for him Monday night in Boston. With just more than 7 minutes of ice time, Lashoff was a -1 with 2 penalty minutes in the 5-2 loss to the Bruins.
It was Lashoff's first game since Dec. 13. The 24-year-old has appeared in 11 games with Detroit this season, a big drop from the 75 he appeared in last season.
Coach Mike Babcock will have to decide if Lashoff or Ouellet gets the spot.
The relatively young Ouellet has showed poise and skill with the puck in his limited NHL ice time this year. He's established himself a solid defenseman with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins, with which he has 8 points (1G, 7A) in 21 games this season.
He was drafted 48th overall by Detroit in 2011.