Team Canada received a boost Thursday night in the form of NHLer Brett Connolly.

The forward will be loaned to Canada for the World Junior Championship by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Connolly is now one of three returning forwards from Canada’s silver medal finish in 2011. In seven games last year, Connolly had three assists.

Connolly’s status was put in doubt after Lightning forward Martin St. Louis suffered an eye injury this morning.

In 27 games this season, Connolly has four goals and eight points.