GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Phoenix Coyotes have sent rookie defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to AHL affiliate San Antonio.
Ekman-Larsson, a 19-year-old from Sweden, had three assists and 12 penalty minutes in 14 games with the Coyotes this season.
The sixth overall pick of the 2009 NHL entry draft, Ekman-Larsson was hit with penalties in overtime losses to Pittsburgh and Detroit, and was on the ice when Henrik Zetterberg scored the game-winning goal for the Red Wings on Monday.
Phoenix had recalled Garrett Stafford from San Antonio on Thursday in hopes of shoring up its defense.
