Flames rookie Honzek out six months after surgery for upper-body injury

By Canadian Press on November 21, 2025.

CALGARY — Calgary Flames rookie Sam Honzek will miss six months after undergoing surgery for an upper-body injury, head coach Ryan Huska said Friday.

Huska said Honzek had the procedure Thursday. The recovery time means Honzek is unlikely to return this season.

The 21-year-old winger was injured when he collided with Flames captain Mikael Backlund in the second period a game last Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets.

Backlund was carrying the puck through the neutral zone when he ran into Honzek, who left the game after the incident.

Honzek, from Slovakia, has two goals and four points in 18 games this season. He was selected 16th overall by the Flames at the 2023 NHL draft.

The Flames return to action Saturday against the visiting Dallas Stars.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2025.

The Canadian Press