PORTLAND — Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson became the first member of the Portland Pirates to be called up to the parent Phoenix Coyotes following the end of the NHL lockout.
Ekman-Larsson, who spent the previous 1½ seasons in the NHL with the Coyotes, flew back to Arizona Monday afternoon.
“Of course, I’m going to miss the guys here,” said Ekman-Larsson, the Coyotes’ first pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft. “It’s a great group of guys and a great team here, but I’m excited to go back to Phoenix and start the season up there.”
The 113-day labor dispute ended Sunday when representatives of NHL reached tentative agreement with representatives of National Hockey League Players Association on the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement.
Portland Pirates coach Ray Edwards said three more Pirates could be called up by the Coyotes by the weekend.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
