Rory Kerins is ready to take advantage of his call up to the Flames

Forward Rory Kerins Calgary Wranglers headshot. (Source: Calgary Wranglers)

Flames centre Connor Zary was placed on injured reserve on Friday morning but there’s still no indication how long he will be out of the lineup after taking a knee-on-knee hit Tuesday night in Anaheim.

With Zary on the shelf, The Flames recalled 22-year-old centre Rory Kerins from the Wranglers.

Kerins is having a breakout year with the Calgary Wranglers and currently leads the AHL in goals. The 22-year-old has posted 21 goals and 13 assists through 34 games.

He was also recently named to the Pacific Division’s 2025 AHL All-Star Classic roster.

Kerins was originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL draft. He has since worked his way up through the East Coast Hockey League and AHL for his first NHL call-up.

It’s Kerins' first call up and he says something he’s been working for since he was a kid.

“A dream come true,” said Kerins.

“(It was) obviously a long road to get here and you know, it makes it worth it," he added.

“I’ve always been dedicated to the process and just had to stay patient and knew that if I worked hard I’d eventually get the call and happy I got it and ready to get to work here.”

Best player on the Wranglers

Kerins has been an amazing story this season.  He was slotted pretty low on the depth chart at Flames training camp and sent down to the Wranglers early on.

That gave him plenty of motivation and he’s been the best player on the Wranglers this season.

Kerins said being sent down early gave him plenty of fuel to prove the organization wrong.

“Yeah I mean that was probably a big motivating factor,” he said. “I just kind of stuck with it and didn’t quit on myself and knew the player I was and just kept going.”

Debut will come shortly

With Mikael Backlund not skating on Friday morning, Kerins was a placeholder on the line with Blake Coleman and Matt Coronato.  An indication that he won’t make his debut on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings.

Flames coach Ryan Huska said that will come sooner rather than later and he wants Kerins to play his game.

“When he does get in for us we’re going to look  for him to play with the same confidence that he’s had in the American League,” said Huska. “We’ve said that for all of our guys what have come up.  I don’t anticipate him jumping in and being a mucker and grinder because that’s not his style of play.

“We’re looking forward to him carrying on what he’s done in the American League.  He’s a guy that can score and that’s something that we need.”

'I like to get around the net'

Kerins said that’s what he plans on doing when he does get in the lineup.

“I like to get around the net,” he said. “I like to get greasy around the other team’s net and I like to make plays and make plays up the middle of the ice. That’s when I’m at my best.”

TSN’s Salim Valji reported that Zary’s injury is still being evaluated and the team has not determined anything “concrete,” according to head coach Ryan Huska.

In a statement Friday afternoon, the Flames said Zary won’t require surgery but will be out of the lineup for an indefinite amount of time.

After having their Wednesday game in Los Angeles postponed due to the ongoing wildfires, the Flames will return home to play the Kings at the Saddledome on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. MST.