Leafs recall defenceman defenceman Jake Gardiner, Holzer sent to AHL

TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled defenceman Jake Gardiner from the American Hockey League.

"Congrats Jake Gardiner on #NHL call up to #Leafs from #Marlies! Jake was getting ready to play #AHL tonight in Lake Erie," Gardiner's agent Ben Hankinson posted on his Twitter account Tuesday.

Leafs general manager Dave Nonis confirmed the move during an interview on Sportsnet Radio in Toronto.

The call-up comes one week after Hankinson caused a stir after tweeting "#FreeJakeGardiner" shortly after the Leafs looked lacklustre in a 5-2 road loss to Winnipeg.

Gardiner has made a case for a call-up this season, posting 10 goals and 21 assists in 43 games with the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies.

He had a productive rookie season with the Maple Leafs in 2011-12, scoring seven goals and adding 30 assists. But he has been limited to just two games with the Leafs this year as he initially struggled to recover from a concussion he suffered playing with the Marlies during the NHL lockout.

The Leafs confirmed that defenceman Korbinian Holzer was being sent to the Marlies, presumably to make room for Gardiner.