That’s right, Dougie’s older brother has been recalled on an emergency basis. Hamilton the elder has been one of Stockton’s better forwards this year, managing 16 goals and 35 points in 53 games. Only Derek Grant and Kenny Agostino have scored more.

The recall suggests one of the Flames regulars must be on the shelf tonight. Initial speculation is that it’s Sean Monahan because he missed practice yesterday (see below). If so, that will leave the Flames with a Gaudreau-Backlund-Frolik first line against the Jets tonight (and then three 4th line units behind them). Bennett and Brodie remain on the shelf as well. 

It’s also interesting that Hamilton got the call over a handful of other Flames hopefuls, including Bill Arnold, Drew Shore and Emile Poirier. All three guys were expected to press for full time jobs heading into the season last summer, but none of them has managed to poke his head above the crowd on the farm this year.

We’ll update if more information becomes available. 

UPDATE – Reports from the morning skate are that it’s actually Mikael Backlund who is out rather than Sean Monahan. Bad luck for Backlund, who has been on fire recently.

UPDATE 2 – Okay word now is that Backlund is in…so it might still be Monahan. Or someone else. Anyways, Hamilton is a game time decision. Yes, this is ridiculous.