Sunrise, FL – The Florida Panthers announced today that they have loaned forward Henrik Haapala to their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.

 

Haapala, 23, skated in five games with the Panthers, tallying an assist in his NHL debut on Nov. 22 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 11 games with the Thunderbirds, the Finnish-born winger has two goals and five assists.

 

Haapala was signed to an entry-level contract by the Panthers this past June after leading the SM-liiga in Finland with 60 points in 51 games last year with Tappara Tampere. He earned the Veli-Pekka Ketola Trophy for his scoring title while leading Tappara to a championship for a second straight season.

 

In a separate roster move, the Thunderbirds announced that they have recalled goaltender Evan Cowley from the Manchester Monarchs.

 

Cowley, 22, has appeared in two games with the Thunderbirds this season, going 1-0-0 with a 3.18 goals against average and .882 save percentage. In nine games with the Monarchs, the University of Denver alumnus is 4-4-1 with a 3.21 goals against average and .904 save percentage.

 

Cowley was originally a fourth round, 92nd overall draft pick by the Florida Panthers in the 2013 NHL Draft.

 

Springfield begins that home-ice stretch with a pair of 7:05 p.m. ET matchups on Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9 against Rochester and Bridgeport respectively. Saturday's game marks the 2nd Annual T-Birds Teddy Bear Toss presented by Teddy Bear Pools & Spas.

 

Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com to learn more about Thunderbirds Season Ticket Memberships. Packages start at just $12 per game, and Thunderbirds Full Season Ticket Members receive the most benefits, including a refillable collector’s mug and a commemorative jersey. For more information or to order now, call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.