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Calgary Flames rookie Honzek suffers devastating injury

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Nov 21 2025, 7:40 pm
Calgary Flames rookie Honzek suffers devastating injury
Sergei Belski/Imagn Images

Calgary Flames rookie forward Sam Honzek suffered an injury that is much more serious than initially thought.

Honzek was forced to leave last Saturday’s game versus the Winnipeg Jets after a collision with teammate Mikael Backlund at the offensive blueline. The 21-year-old was very shaken up, as it took him some time to get back to the bench. Upon doing so, he immediately headed down the tunnel and was ruled out later with an upper-body injury.

A short time later, Honzek was deemed week-to-week by the Flames brass. A new update provided at practice on Friday, however, made it clear that it’s a much more significant matter.

“Sam had surgery yesterday,” head coach Ryan Huska said. “So, unfortunately he’s going to be up to six months out of our lineup. Everything went well, and we’re expecting a full recovery. Unfortunate news, for sure.”

This is an extremely frustrating update on Honzek, who has struggled to stay healthy both throughout his junior and professional career. The Slovakian winger was playing very well on a line with Backlund and Blake Coleman and appeared to be on the verge of an offensive breakout. Through 18 games, he scored two goals and four points.

This injury adds to what has been a forgettable season for the Flames. They sit dead last in the NHL with just 15 points through 22 games and are showing few signs of turning things around. At this point, they appear destined for a high draft pick this coming June, which much of the fan base has resorted to rooting for.

Since Honzek’s injury, it’s been Connor Zary who has been placed on a line with Backlund and Coleman. The Flames are hoping that will get the 24-year-old going, as he’s struggled with just two points through 20 games this season.

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