The NHL might be on pause for 2024 NHL All-Star weekend, but the AHL is in full flight. The Calgary Wranglers got a nice boost when the Calgary Flames sent down Cole Schwindt, Adam Klapka, and Matt Coronato just before the all-star break, but they also received reinforcements in the form of Kevin Rooney and Jakob Pelletier who both returned after recovering from shoulder surgery earlier in the season.
The latter is off to a red-hot start and should be considered a lock to be recalled when the NHL season resumes this week.
Pelletier’s injury and recovery
On September 27, 2023, Pelletier was injured in the Flames’ preseason game against the Winnipeg Jets off a hit from Marian Studenic. Studenic was hit with a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct.
Unfortunately, the injury was serious and Pelletier underwent surgery on October 4, 2023, one week before the 2023–24 regular season was set to begin.
In late November, Pelletier started skating again, the first time in two full months since that injury. Since then, he’s been slowly working his way back to game shape and finally played in his first game of the season for the Wranglers on January 26, 2024.
Pelletier’s performance in the AHL this past week
So far, Pelletier has played the last four games for the Wranglers and is really hitting his stride. He had no points in his first game but has been operating at a point-per-game pace since.
His first point and goal of the season came on January 31, 2024, against the Coachella Valley Firebirds when he batted in his own rebound in off a nice feed from Coronato.
In the Wrangler’s latest game against the Ontario Reign, Pelletier scored a power play goal off a tight pass from Klapka.
And then he made an unselfish play to assist on Ben Jones‘ empty-net insurance goal late in the third period.
Three points in four AHL games, and Pelletier has looked very good doing it, too.
Pelletier’s NHL potential
At the beginning of the season, Ryan Huska confirmed that Pelletier would have been on the opening night roster had he been healthy. With the unmatched energy and positivity that Pelletier brings to the locker room, he is a lock to join the Flames once they start up again later this week, and his solid play in the AHL confirms he’s ready for it.
Not only will Pelletier be able to bring a youthful exuberance to a team that just lost one of its key players after the Elias Lindholm trade, but he’ll offer strong two-way play in the middle-six and should easily be an upgrade on depth players Klapka, Schwindt, Duehr, and others who have rotated through this season.
Perhaps Pelletier will be able to bring out more from his “dad” Jonathan Huberdeau as well.
Exciting times in Calgary
The Lindholm trade was a signal to the Flames’ locker room. They are going to have to claw their way to the playoffs if they want to be there this season because Craig Conroy isn’t going to be shy to make deals. He got a darn good return for Lindholm, and with the injection of Pelletier and others to the roster, maybe the team will be better off for it. Regardless, it’s exciting times in Calgary.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
