Heponiemi had a goal and two assists with six SOG across 10 games with the Panthers but will head back down to Charlotte (AHL) Wednesday. Prior to his promotion to Florida, he had five goals, three assists and a +6 plus/minus through 18 games.
Heponiemi will head back to Charlotte (AHL) after scoring a goal and an assist with two PIMs through seven games with the Panthers. He heads back to the minors where he had four goals, three assists and a +6 plus-minus before his previous call-up.
Saturday will be Heponiemi's first game since December 16th, as he draws in to replace Patric Hornqvist (COVID-19 protocol) in the lineup. Heponiemi has yet to record a point in two games this season and has just two points (1G / 1A) in 11 career NHL games.
With Ryan Lomberg going on the COVID-19 protocol list, Heponiemi has been recalled and will make his season debut if he makes it to Florida in time. Heponiemi has four goals and nine assists (13 points) in 21 AHL games this season.
With Anthony Duclair a late scratch on Friday and questionable to play Saturday, Heponiemi gets his first call-up of the season. Heponiemi was a second-round pick in 2017 and has scored four goals with seven assists (11 points) in 17 AHL games this season.
Heponiemi, 20, was a second-round pick (No.40 overall) in the 2017 draft and had 16 goals and 30 assists (46 points) in 50 games with Karpat of the Finnish Elite League. The Finnish centre had 204 points (56G / 148A) across two seasons with Swift Current (WHL) before returning to Finland this season.
