Late in the 2011-2012 campaign, Killorn joined the American Hockey League’s Norfolk Admirals for the playoffs, scoring two goals and tallying four assists while helping his team to a league championship.

After the season, the Admirals were dropped as the Lightning’s developmental affiliate in favor of the Syracuse Crunch, for whom the Harvard alum played in 44 contests this year.

During that span, Killorn scored 16 goals and registered a team-high 22 assists. His 38 points were good for 17th-most in the league and were third most among rookies.

“We talked to him not to get frustrated,” Donato said. “He didn't get brought into camp when the season started…[but] it was just a matter of time. He earned that opportunity.”

Killorn’s call-up makes him the third Harvard graduate currently playing in the NHL, joining the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Craig Adams ’99 and Dylan Reese ’07.

A number of his other former teammates expressed excitement over the news on Twitter on Saturday.

“Big congrats and goodluck to @Akillorn19 suiting up for the Lightning tomorrow at Madison Square Garden,” sophomore Tommy O’Regan tweeted.

“Big congrats to my idol @Akillorn19 on making his NHL debut tomorrow. Surprised it took this long. Guy deserves it,” wrote senior Connor Morrison.

“So pumped for you @Akillorn19 Congratulations. Crush it and stick up there man. No better debut than under the lights of MSG,” added Ryan Grimshaw ’12.

Killorn, for his part, said he is looking forward to getting his professional career started.

“I'm going to want to play big, use my size, be reliable defensively and chip in offensively,'' Killorn said.

"It's going to take a little time to adapt," he added. "But if I play my game, even if I make a mistake...[things] will be fine."

-Staff Writer Scott A. Sherman can be reached at ssherman13@college.harvard.edu