Flames’ Zach Whitecloud exits game with upper-body injury
Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud exited Saturday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes and did not return after an awkward collision with Nikolaj Ehlers late in the first period.
Whitecloud, 29, logged 6:16 of ice time over eight shifts before locking skates with Ehlers and falling sideways into the boards in Carolina’s zone. Clearly dazed, the 6’2″ right-shot defender slowly made his way off the ice and immediately went down the tunnel to the Flames’ dressing room.
The Flames ruled out the possibility of Whitecloud returning to the game shortly after the third period began at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Hurricanes scored a pair of quick goals to trim the Flames’ lead to 4-3 early in the final 20 minutes of play in Calgary.
Zach Whitecloud goes head first into the boards. He has gone to the Flames dressing room. 🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames
Whitecloud is in his first season with the Flames after being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Rasmus Andersson trade back in January. The Brandon, Man. product entered Saturday’s action with two goals and 11 points while averaging 19:45 of ice time in 60 games split between Vegas and Calgary this season.
An undrafted player, Whitecloud spent most of his junior career with the MJHL’s Virden Oil Capitals before spending two seasons at Bemidji State University between 2016 and 2018. He signed with the Golden Knights as an undrafted NCAA free agent at the tail end of the 2017-18 season.
Whitecloud spent parts of eight seasons with the Golden Knights to begin his NHL career, most notably skating in 22 playoff games with the club during the spring of 2023 to help them capture their first and only Stanley Cup championship.
With Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar no longer in Calgary, Whitecloud has served as one of the Flames’ de facto leaders on the blue line since coming over from Vegas. He is under contract with the club until 2028 at a $2.75 million NHL cap hit.
In 381 career NHL games since making his debut in 2018, Whitecloud has collected 23 goals and 82 points. He’s added five goals and 17 points in 78 career playoff contests.