LIGHTNING RECALL D LUKE WITKOWSKI FROM SYRACUSE

TAMPA, FLA. — The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled defenseman Luke Witkowski from the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.

Witkowski, 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, has played in all 11 games for the Crunch this season while serving as captain, recording three assists.  He ranks second on Syracuse with 18 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating.  Witkowski has played in 210 career AHL games, all with the Crunch, registering seven goals and 37 points with a plus-11 rating and 173 penalty minutes.

Darren Archibald & Luke Witkowski (82) (Mark McGauley Photography)

A native of Holland, Michigan, Witkowski has played in 20 career NHL games, all with Tampa Bay, and logged 19 penalty minutes. Witkowski has played in two career Stanley Cup Playoff games, both last season, notching a plus-1 rating.

Witkowski, 26, was drafted by the Lightning in the sixth round, 160^th overall, of the 2008 NHL Draft.