The Ducks have recalled defensemen Brett Festerling and Brendan Mikkelson from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, right wing Dan Sexton from AHL Manitoba and goaltender Timo Pielmeier from ECHL affiliate Bakersfield. Sexton and Pielmeier took part in practice Thursday, the team’s first since the Olympic break, while Festerling and Mikkelson were still en route from Toronto.

Festerling has appeared in 30 games for the Ducks this season, collecting three assists and six penalty minutes. Recalled from Toronto on Dec. 2 and reassigned on Feb. 15, the 23-year-old defenseman has appeared in 28 AHL contests with the Marlies and the San Antonio Rampage this season, recording five assists, 27 penalty minutes and a plus-2 rating.

Mikkelson has appeared in 22 contests for Anaheim in 2009-10, recording two assists and eight penalty minutes. He collected his first assist of the season and registered a career-high plus-3 rating on Oct. 14 vs. Minnesota and logged a season-high 19:27 TOI on Nov. 19 vs. TB. The 22-year-old defenseman was originally recalled from Toronto on Oct. 11 and was reassigned on Dec. 2. In 40 games this season with the Marlies, Mikkelson has five goals and 15 points with 37 penalty minutes. He currently ranks second on the club in scoring among defensemen.

Sexton has appeared in 28 games for the Ducks this season, collecting nine goals and 18 points with 14 PIM. Recalled to the NHL from Manitoba on Dec. 4, the 22-year-old debuted with six goals and 11 points in the month of December for Anaheim, ranking second among NHL rookies in scoring and tied for second in goals. Sexton also posted a career-high three-game goal streak from Dec. 8-12. He was reassigned to the Moose on Jan. 31. In 13 contests with Manitoba, the Apple Valley, Minn. native has earned five goals and 12 points with two PIM.

Pielmeier has played in 42 games for Bakersfield in his rookie season, posting a 20-16-5 record with a 3.09 goals-against average and .886 save percentage. The 20-year-old currently co-leads the ECHL in wins and ranks fourth among all rookies in GAA.

More comments from Sexton and Pielmeier shortly …