Flames assign Connor Zary to Kamloops Blazers

Connor Zary’s first American Hockey League tenure has come to an end.

The Calgary Flames announced Thursday the 19-year-old forward has left the Stockton Heat to begin quarantining in advance of his return to the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers.

Zary played in each of Stockton’s first nine games, amassing seven points (three goals, four assists) over that span. He helped establish a formidable top line for the club, skating on the left wing beside Adam Ruzicka and Matthew Phillips.

The Flames signed Zary to a three-year entry-level contract on Dec. 31, 2019, but, at his age, he is ineligible to continue playing for the Heat while the WHL season is underway.

Zary’s Blazers are set to make their season debut on Mar. 26, christening their season at their Sandman Centre home for a meeting against the Vancouver Giants.

The Flames selected Zary with the 24th pick in the 2020 Draft. He emerged as a top prospect following three promising years with the Blazers, most recently posting 38 goals and 86 points in 57 games during the 2019-20 season.

Hockey Canada selected Zary to participate for them at the 2020 U-20 World Junior Championships in Edmonton. Zary was one of two Flames first-rounders to skate for Team Canada at the tournament, with Jakob Pelletier also making his mark for his country. In seven games with the team, Zary contributed two assists en route to a silver medal.

Zary will spend the rest of the 2020-21 season with the Blazers before turning professional on a full-time basis in 2021-22. Emilio Pettersen replaced him on Stockton’s top line late in Wednesday’s contest and, with Zary’s departure, it’s likely that configuration will now continue.