Maple Leafs activate Ceci off injured reserve

The Toronto Maple Leafs activated defenseman Cody Ceci off injured reserve, the team announced Friday.

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe revealed shortly thereafter that Ceci will be in the lineup for Friday's game against the Anaheim Ducks, according to TSN's Mark Masters.

The 26-year-old missed the club's previous 14 games after suffering an ankle injury Feb. 5 against the New York Rangers.

Ceci entered Friday's game having registered eight points while logging 20:38 of average ice time through 54 games this season. The 6-foot-2 rearguard also plays a vital role on the penalty kill, leading the team with 2:49 of shorthanded ice time per game coming into the contest against the Ducks.

Toronto is also expecting to get blue-chip rearguard Morgan Rielly back in the near future, while Jake Muzzin remains out with a broken hand.

The Maple Leafs loaned defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the AHL's Toronto Marlies in a corresponding move Friday night.

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