McCollum called up by Red Wings

Toledo Walleye goalie Thomas McCollum, center, and defenseman Dave Phillips stop the shot of Cincinnati player Dan Eves during the first period at Huntington Center Sunday. McCollum was called up by the Detroit Red Wings Sunday night.

McCollum was called up to Detroit to back up Joey MacDonald in the Red Wings' game Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.

"Obviously, it's really exciting," McCollum said. "Anytime you get to put on an NHL jersey, especially for the Detroit Red Wings, it's a huge honor. I'm just going to go up there and enjoy the process and have fun."

Detroit's starting netminder Jimmy Howard was injured Saturday night and his backup, Chris Osgood, is on the injured reserve list. MacDonald, who started his pro career in Toledo playing for the Storm in 2001-02, has played in 13 games for the Red Wings this season.

Howard, Detroit's No. 1 netminder, suffered a shoulder injury. McCollum said he will be in Detroit for the morning skate today and that he will be backing up.

"It sounds like Jimmy will be ready for Wednesday," McCollum said. "So maybe I'll be back [in Toledo] on Tuesday."

McCollum was the Red Wings' first round draft choice in 2008. He was picked 30th overall. He started this season in Grand Rapids, Detroit's American Hockey League affiliate. He had a 6-11-2 record with a 3.16 goals against average in Grand Rapids.

McCollum started his 14th straight game for the Walleye Sunday. Entering the game he had posted an 11-8-2 record with a 2.70 goals against average for Toledo.

Walleye coach Nick Vitucci said he is not sure if McCollum will be back in Toledo for the team's last three regular season games next weekend.

But McCollum said he expects to be back and wants the chance to help Toledo make it into the ECHL playoffs.

"I really want to be back here," he said. "I've been here a month and a half. And I've really grown close with a lot of the guys here. We've made a solid push so far. I'm really looking forward to making this interesting."