Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have recalled goaltender Josh Tordjman from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, under emergency conditions. Tordjman, 23, has posted a record of 10-12-1 with a 2.70 goals-against average (GAA), a .903 save percentage (SV%) and three shutouts in 24 games with San Antonio this season. Earlier this month, Tordjman was named AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 7 after going 3-0-0 with two shutouts in three starts during the week. In the month of December, Tordjman has posted a record of 9-2-0 with a 1.90 GAA, a .928 SV% and three shutouts in 11 games. His three shutouts currently rank T-3rd among all AHL goaltenders this season. Last season, the 6-foot-1, 153-pound Tordjman appeared in 43 games for San Antonio, going 22-14-4 with a 2.65 GAA, a .910 SV% and one shutout. He also played in six postseason contests where he registered a 1.85 GAA while posting a 3-3 record. Now in his third season with the Rampage, Tordjman has compiled a 47-44-7 record with a 2.64 GAA and five shutouts in 104 career AHL games. Prior to signing with the Coyotes as a free agent on July 2, 2006, Tordjman spent four seasons (2002-2006) in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with Victoriaville and Moncton. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Tordjman led Moncton to the Memorial Cup Finals in 2006.

Alexei Cherepanov, who died after losing consciousness during a Russian Superleague game two months ago, had reportedly been taking banned substances. The investigative unit of the Prosecutor-General's office also said on its web site that Cherepanov was suffering from heart problems that should have ruled him out of competing in professional sports. A chemical analysis of his blood by forensic experts also showed he had taken banned performance-enhancing drugs for several months before his death.

Los Angeles rookie defenseman Drew Doughty is making a huge impact on the ice for the team this season. Doughty, the second overall pick in June, walked out of the Ontario Hockey League in spring and into the Kings' lineup in fall. He has averaged 25 minutes a game for the Kings.

Mats Sundin has yet to touch down at the Vancouver International Airport, but fans are already hotly awaiting the his arrival. The team doesn't have an idea when Sundin will make his on-ice debut.

Claude Giroux, one of the Flyers' top prospects, is leading the AHL's Phantoms in scoring and awaiting his turn in Philadelphia. "If you get an offensive player, they can't stay because they don't do the little things well," coach John Stevens said last week. "Scoring doesn't matter [on the fourth line] . . . It is almost reversed. "Besides, we can't bring Giroux up and not play him on one of the top three lines. If he is not going to get the playing time, then he needs to stay with the Phantoms and play. "There is a process of integrating a young player into the NHL, and if we send him down we will be starting that process all over again."

The NHL hasn't taken over control of the Coyotes, but it is taking an active role in trying to find new investors or ownership for the financially strapped franchise. The league is also reportedly being kept apprised of any "significant" financial decisions the team makes.

The Flyers on Tuesday recalled right wing Andreas Nodl from the Phantoms of the AHL, as reported by Yahoo.com. Nodl will be available for Tuesday night?s home game against the Senators.

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has reassigned goaltender David LeNeveu to the Iowa Chops, Anaheim?s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). LeNeveu, 25 (5/23/83), has posted an 8-6-1 record with a 2.58 goals-against average (GAA) and .900 save percentage (SV%) in 15 games with Iowa this season. The 6-1, 194-pound goaltender has allowed two goals-or-fewer in each of his last four appearances with the Chops, going 2-1-1 with a 1.59 GAA and a .941 SV% Signed by Anaheim as a free agent on July 7, 2008, LeNeveu has appeared in 21 career NHL contests (all with the Phoenix Coyotes), going 5-9-2 with a 3.38 GAA and .888 SV%. Originally selected by Phoenix in the second round (46th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, LeNeveu recorded his first NHL win on Oct. 25, 2005 in a 5-4 overtime victory vs. St. Louis. A native of Fernie, British Columbia, LeNeveu compiled a 17-10-5 record with a 2.33 GAA and .916 SV% in 34 games with San Antonio and Hartford of the AHL last season. The netminder ranked third among AHL goaltenders with a .921 SV% in 2005-06.

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Sunday that goaltender Justin Pogge has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. Pogge will join the Maple Leafs today in Atlanta as the team prepares to face the Thrashers tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. In 22 games with the Marlies this season he has a record of 10-9-3 with a goals against average of 2.86 and a save percentage of .890. Pogge, 22, was Toronto's first choice, 90th overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft and he has appeared in 111 career AHL games.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed left wing Jason Chimera on Injured Reserve and have recalled left wing Alexandre Picard from the Syracuse Crunch, Columbus? American Hockey League affiliate, club General Manager Scott Howson announced today. Chimera is expected to be sidelined at least one week. Picard, 23, collected 22 penalty minutes with a -1 plus/minus rating in six games with the Blue Jackets this season and has registered one assist and 44 penalty minutes in 49 career games. In 16 games with the Crunch this season, the Les Saules, Quebec native has collected 2-5-7 and 35 penalty minutes to push his career totals to 35-51-86 and 276 penalty minutes in 159 games. Chimera, 29, has notched 7-11-18, 31 penalty minutes and is +9 in 31 games this season. He ranks fourth on the club in points and is third in plus/minus rating. In 404 career games, the Edmonton, Alberta native has recorded 72-79-151 and 408 penalty minutes.