Devils recall Hameenaho, Cholowski, White, Malek from Utica amid Olympic absences

The New Jersey Devils recalled four players from their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, in a Feb. 18 roster move driven by the NHL Olympic window: forward Lenni Hameenaho, defensemen Dennis Cholowski and Colton White, and goaltender Jakub Malek. The team announced the moves on its official Facebook page and resumed on-ice work that day after the Olympic break in advance of a Feb. 25 home game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Hameenaho, 21, returned after a brief NHL stint that began in mid-January. He has appeared in nine NHL games, totaling four points on two goals and two assists and carries a +1 rating; with Utica this season he logged 22 points in 34 AHL games. ProHockeyRumors noted Hameenaho typically skated on a line with Arseny Gritsyuk and Cody Glass, a trio that MoneyPuck credited with controlling 75% of expected goals at 5-on-5.

Colton White came north as an experienced depth option. White has appeared in 23 NHL games this season, recording four points and a +2 rating while averaging 12:15 of ice time per game. The HockeyWriters placed his season totals at 23 hits and 16 blocked shots; ProHockeyRumors described White as a stay-at-home specialist who controlled 47.7% of shot attempts and 53.9% of even-strength expected goals in his NHL minutes.

Dennis Cholowski was recalled after being assigned to the AHL following a waiver clearance last month. Cholowski has played 15 games for New Jersey this season, registering one assist, and last saw NHL game action in mid-December before the waiver transaction.

Jakub Malek was brought in specifically as a practice goaltender under NHL Olympic regulations. The Devils’ Facebook post said, "We have also recalled goaltender Jakub Malek from Utica as a Practice Goaltender per NHL Olympic regulations." Malek has not yet seen NHL game action; with Utica he is listed at 7-10-1 with an .894 save percentage. The Hockey News and Sports Yahoo later reported Malek was returned to the AHL after two practices with New Jersey.

The Hockey News reported an additional short-term move not included in other accounts: forward Dylan Wendt was recalled from Utica as a practice player until the Devils’ Olympians return. The Hockey News also listed players who had been eliminated from Olympic competition and were expected back with the club, including Simon Nemec, Jesper Bratt, Jacob Markstrom, Jonas Siegenthaler, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, while Jack Hughes remained overseas and won the gold-medal game against Team Canada.

The Devils’ Facebook post that announced the recalls drew significant fan attention, showing 346 reactions, 20 comments and 18 shares at capture; the post spelled Hameenaho’s name as "Hammenaho," prompting at least one fan to correct the spelling to "Hameenaho." With the club back on the ice and Jacob Markstrom occupied with Team Sweden at the Olympics, these temporary recalls supply practice depth as New Jersey prepares for the Sabres on Feb. 25.