Brooks Orpik was almost immediately good fo..."/> Brooks Orpik was almost immediately good fo..."/>

Pittsburgh Penguins place Brooks Orpik on injured reserve; recall defenseman Brian Dumoulin

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Nov 1, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) handles the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The news regarding Brooks Orpik was almost immediately good following Saturday’s ugly attack by Boston’s Shawn Thornton.

The 33-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman flew home with the team following a 3-2 loss to the Bruins, a stunning result that ended the Pens’ five-game winning streak. Nevertheless, the club had to feel good about Orpik’s condition; he was alert and conscious not long after being taken off the ice on a stretcher.

Regardless of his improving health, Oprik is going to need some time to recover from one of the scarier incidents in recent NHL history. The Penguins announced Monday morning that the team’s longest-tenured player has been placed on the injured reserve and Brian Dumoulin was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to take the open roster spot.

The Dumolin news was initially reported by Portland, Maine, TV station WCSH on Sunday. The 22-year-old left-handed shooter was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NHL Draft by the Hurricanes, then became Pittsburgh property in the 2012 trade that sent Jordan Staal to Carolina. In that deal, the Pens also acquired the draft choice that became top prospect Derrick Pouliot and center Brandon Sutter.

After three seasons at Boston College – also where Orpik played more than a decade ago – Dumoulin skated for the AHL Penguins last season, accumulating 32 points (eight goals) in 88 total games, regular season and playoffs. The 6-foot-3 Dumoulin has six points in 22 games this year, although his appeal lies in his two-way ability.

A two-time all-American at BC, Dumoulin helped the Eagles to NCAA national championships in 2010 and ’12. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award for college hockey’s top player in 2011-12. Dumoulin has good agility for his size and projects to be a valuable contributor at the NHL level.

It remains to be seen if he will dress for Monday’s game against Columbus at Consol Energy Center. Check back with City of Champions for further updates.