Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau recorded the 500th assist of his National Hockey League career during the third period of Thursday’s game against the New York Rangers.
Huberdeau, 31, sprung Connor Zary with a crafty tip pass in the neutral zone just past the midway mark of the final frame at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday night. Zary fought off backchecking Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko before elevating the puck from a ridiculous angle past goaltender Igor Shesterkin to give the Flames a 3-2 lead.
Through 20 games with the Flames to kick off the 2024-25 regular season, Huberdeau has six goals, five assists, and 11 points. The Saint-Jerome, Quebec product is in the second season of the eight-year, $10.5 million AAV contract he signed with the Flames back in 2022.
Connor Zary somehow sneaks one home at the post, putting the Flames up 3-2 in the third!#Flames pic.twitter.com/yxjZQwaB3G
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) November 22, 2024
The Florida Panthers originally selected Huberdeau with the No. 3 overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NHL Draft. After winning back-to-back QMJHL championships and the 2011 Memorial Cup with the Saint John Sea Dogs, the 6’1″, 200-pound left wing made his NHL debut with the Panthers in the 2012-13 season.
Huberdeau spent the first 10 seasons of his NHL career in Florida before being traded to Calgary in a blockbuster deal during the 2022 offseason. Led by trade acquisition Matthew Tkachuk, the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2023 and won their first-ever championship the following year; Calgary failed to make the playoffs in their first two seasons with Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar on the team.
In 851 career NHL games over parts of 13 seasons with the Panthers and Flames, Huberdeau has collected 231 goals, 500 assists, and 731 points. Since joining the Flames in 2022, Huberdeau has racked up 33 goals, 85 assists, and 118 points in 180 games.
Matt Coronato and Yegor Sharangovich also scored for the Flames as they defeated the Rangers by a 3-2 score at the Saddledome on Friday; Alexis Lafrenière and Will Cuylle tallied for the visitors. With the victory, the Flames improved to 11-6-3 through 20 games, putting them just one point back of the Vegas Golden Knights for first place in the Pacific Division.
The Flames are slated to return to action on Saturday afternoon to take on the Minnesota Wild at the Saddledome.
