After months away from his teammates, Jonathan Drouin is happy to be sharing a rink with the Tampa Bay Lightning once again.

Drouin was recalled to the pro club Thursday morning after a tumultuous season that's seen him bounce around the minors and find the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

For the Lightning, though, it's apparently water under the bridge, as the team welcomed the 21-year-old to practice with a series of stick taps, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

Tampa Bay players told Smith that Drouin's "part of the family." The Lightning will hope his return can provide an offensive spark, as they've lost three of their last four and totaled only five goals in that span.

As for Drouin, he's ready to move on and contribute positively to the defending Eastern Conference champions as they head into the playoffs.

Drouin played seven games for the AHL's Syracuse Crunch in January. Although he previously requested a trade, the 2013 third overall pick said talk of a deal has been put aside and he's focused on what happens on the ice.

Drouin also received a vote of confidence from Lightning head coach Jon Cooper.

"Jonathan Drouin earned this call-up," Cooper said.

Though Tampa Bay has already clinched a playoff spot, Drouin's return versus New Jersey on Thursday night is a massive one for the Lightning, who are without captain Steven Stamkos for anywhere from one-to-three months due to a blood clot.

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