Jonathan Boutin’s recent award as ECHL Player of the Week couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Victoria Salmon Kings’ goalie was recalled by the club’s parent affiliate Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League earlier this week.

Boutin, a native of Granby, Que., was 6-3-1 in 11 games with two shutouts for the Kings.

With all the hoopla around Vancouver Canucks’ goalie Roberto Luongo getting injured, Boutin’s opportunity serves as a reminder just how close the ECHL can be to the National Hockey League. Starting Moose goalie Cory Schneider has been called up to the Vancouver Canucks in Luongo’s vacancy, creating room for Boutin at the AHL level. Boutin will see time behind Moose backup Karl Goehring.

In the meantime Julien Ellis has been reactived as a Salmon King. Since suffering an injury in Canucks’ rookie camp Ellis has remained sidelined behind Boutin and fellow Kings’ goalie Todd Ford, but was on the bench against the Ontario Reign on Wednesday night.

Luongo, however, isn’t the only injured Canuck affording a Salmon King player a chance at the AHL level. Moose forward Alexandre Bolduc, who played his way to the AHL through the ranks of the ECHL, will make his NHL debut while Canucks’ Steve Bernier and Ryan Johnson recuperate.

In turn, Salmon Kings’ winger Olivier Labelle will return to the Moose. In 17 games with the Kings this season Labelle produced 10 goals, six assists and 45 minutes in penalties.

This week the Salmon Kings are in Salt Lake City for a three-game set wrapping up against the Grizzlies on Saturday.

The Kings play seven road games in total before returning to face the Bakersfield Condors on Dec. 9.

sports@vicnews.com