In advance of a back-to-back that closes out their pre-All-Star Break schedule, the Calgary Flames have recalled a blueliner. Dennis Gilbert was recalled on Thursday morning, as announced by the club.

The 26-year-old Gilbert has played eight NHL games and posted an assist, as well as accumulating five points in 24 AHL games with the Wranglers this season. He was absent from the Wranglers’ lineup over their past two outings with the Ontario Reign, serving out a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head penalty in a prior game. This is Gilbert’s fourth call-up this season.

The Flames will be without Chris Tanev for the next two games and without him, they have just six NHL blueliners on their active roster. Adding Gilbert gives the club a bit of flexibility and a bit of insurance in case somebody gets banged up over the next 48 hours.

With the roster move, the Flames are at 23 players on their active roster: two goaltenders, eight defencemen (including Tanev) and 13 forwards. Brett Ritchie remains on the injury reserve list.