OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators today recalled forward Francis Lessard from the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.

Lessard, 31, has recorded three points (two goals, one assist) and a team-high 187 penalty minutes in 36 games in his first season with the B-Sens. He currently ranks fourth in the AHL in penalty minutes.

Originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes with their third pick (80th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Lessard was traded by the Hurricanes to the Philadelphia Flyers on May 25, 1999, before being sent to the Atlanta Thrashers on March 15, 2002. The 6-3, 235-pound native of Montreal made his NHL debut with the Thrashers on March 27, 2002, and has played 91 career NHL contests, all with Atlanta, registering one goal, three assists and 268 penalty minutes over that span.

Lessard, who is currently in his 11th professional season, has skated in 523 AHL games with the Philadelphia Phantoms, Chicago Wolves, Hartford Wolf Pack, San Antonio Rampage, and Binghamton recording 68 points (26 goals, 42 assists) and 2,544 penalty minutes.

The Senators return to action this evening when they host the Boston Bruins at 7:30 p.m.