Devils Recall Goaltender Nico Daws

Newark — Well, color us surprised. The New Jersey Devils recalled goaltender Nico Daws on Sunday night, the team announced.

Daws (22) recently returned to game action with the Utica Comets after undergoing hip surgery this summer that held him out of action for six months. In Daws’ first game with the Comets this season, he made 31 saves, earning a win against the Bridgeport Islanders.

Daws is 1-1-0 this season with a 2.04 GAA and .937 SV% in the AHL with Utica.

According to a source, “Vitek Vanecek wasn’t feeling right physically, however, it’s not illness-related.” Therefore, the Devils held the 27-year-old netminder out Sunday night.

Vanecek is 11-5-0 this season with a 3.33 GAA and .883 SV%.

The recall certainly comes as a surprise after head coach Lindy Ruff stated just a few weeks back that a Daws recall was something “further down the road.” However, that came early on an emergency basis.

Daws dressed as Akira Schmid’s backup against the Anaheim Ducks. In 25 NHL games, Daws has registered a 10-11-1 record with a 3.11 GAA and .893 SV%.