The Calgary Flames have rewarded Rory Kerins, the leading goal-scorer this season in the American Hockey League, with his first career call-up.
The Flames need to fill a void centre because of an injury to Connor Zary, who will miss an unknown amount of time after Tuesday’s knee-on-knee hit from Anaheim Ducks defenceman Drew Helleson.
There’s been no official word on the severity of Zary’s injury, but the rising-star has been placed on IR. While that is certainly bad news for a squad that leans heavily on the sophomore standout, it’s an opportunity for Kerins to now show that his offensive skills can translate to the top level.
The 22-year-old Kerins has emerged as one of the Flames’ most fascinating forward prospects thanks to his superb start to his third professional campaign.
Operating as the first-line centre for the Wranglers, he’s notched 21 goals and 34 points in 34 outings. He is currently the leading lamp-lighter in the AHL, sits second in points and was named Wednesday to the Pacific Division all-star squad.
“Whenever they’re ready for me, I think I’ll be ready,” Kerins said earlier this week on an appearance on Flames Talk on Sportsnet 960 The Fan. “As a professional hockey player, you gotta be confident in your abilities. I know it would be a big step up, but I think I’m ready.”
Kerins was selected by Calgary in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He could be spinning a solo lap as soon as Saturday, when the Flames host the Los Angeles Kings on Hockey Night in Canada.