Good news, everybody! Postmedia’s Steve Ewen, a great source for hockey information in and around Vancouver, posted an update on the status of Calgary Flames 2023 first-round pick Samuel Honzek to social media on Thursday afternoon.

Per Ewen, Honzek could be back very soon.

Honzek was injured in a pre-season game against Edmonton way back on Oct. 4. Due to Honzek’s injury, he’s been around the Flames medical staff as they’ve overseen his recovery. While getting top-notch medical care is good, he hasn’t been playing, and so the Vancouver Giants are on the outside of the WHL’s playoff picture and Honzek has missed out on key development reps in his first post-draft season. (Honzek was selected by the Flames at 16th overall in June’s NHL Draft.)

Following this weekend, the Giants play three games before the end of November: Nov. 22 against Spokane, Nov. 24 against Kamloops and Nov. 25 against Tri-City. Honzek is expected to be a key piece for Slovakia’s World Junior team, with their national team camp beginning Dec. 11 in Slovakia before the World Juniors begin in Sweden on Boxing Day.

It would be very beneficial to Honzek’s success in that tournament if he could get some WHL games under his belt before heading back to Europe for the event.