Breaking: Veteran defenseman activated from IR, could return tonight

The St. Louis Blues have announced they have officially activated veteran defenseman Jay Bouwmeester from the injured reserve. The 34-year-old blueliner could return as soon as tonight, against the Caroline Hurricanes.

The team confirmed the news on its official Twitter account:

Bouwmeester suffered from a fractured ankle during training camp, and played his first game of the season at the end of November. He suited up for a total of ten games this season between Nov. 21 and Dec. 10, before missing nine more games because of another lower-body injury.

This means 24-year-old Jordan Schmaltz has been reassigned to the San Antonio Rampage, in the American Hockey League. The Blues' 2012 first-round pick played four games in the NHL this season, but wasn't able to record a point.