Lightning's Drouin will report to AHL after having suspension lifted

Jonathan Drouin appears set to resume his professional hockey career.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have lifted the 20-year-old's suspension, and Drouin will report to the Syracuse Crunch for practice Tuesday morning, general manager Steve Yzerman announced.

Drouin, who made a trade request earlier this season, was suspended indefinitely and without pay by the Lightning on Jan. 15 for failing to report to a Crunch game in Toronto.

At the time, his agent, Allan Walsh, stated there was no reason for Drouin to continue with the organization.

The door was left open for his return after Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman chose not to trade Drouin prior to the NHL's deadline on Feb. 29.

A return to game action, even at the AHL level, can only serve Drouin well in his quest to be dealt to another team, while Yzerman has said he's not eliminating the possibility of Drouin being called back up the NHL at some point this season.