Brett Lernout is headed back to the NHL.

The Montreal Canadiens have called up the young former Swift Current Broncos defenceman from their AHL farm team on an emergency basis.

In 71 games with the AHL's St. John's IceCaps, Lernout has 3 goals and 13 assists. He also added 61 penalty minutes and a +5 rating.

Lernout made his NHL debut with the Canadiens last season and was hurt in the game.

He played most of his 205 WHL games with the Broncos and was Montreal's third round draft pick in 2014.