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San Jose Sharks claim forward Walker Duehr off waivers from the Flames
Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2025, 14:33 EST
The Calgary Flames lost a bit of depth on Wednesday afternoon.
Numerous sources reported that Walker Duehr was claimed off waivers by the San Jose Sharks, ending a five-season stint with the Flames.
Duehr, a 27-year-old right wing, was undrafted and signed his entry-level contract with the Flames in April 2021, becoming the first ever South Dakotan to sign a National Hockey League deal. He made his professional debut after four seasons at Minnesota State in 2020-21, playing five games for the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat.
The Sioux Falls native made his NHL debut in 2021-22, appearing in a game for the Flames but spending most of the season in the AHL. In 2022-23, he scored a career-high seven goals and 11 points with the Flames, spending half the season in the NHL and half the season in the AHL. Duehr was a regular for the Flames in 2023-24, playing 40 games with two goals and seven points, playing just two games in the AHL.
That takes us to this season, where he’s split his time between the Calgary Wranglers and the Flames. With the Flames, he has a lone assist in 16 games, while scoring 11 goals and 19 points in 20 AHL games. Duehr’s last appearance as a Flame was on Jan. 6 in the Flames’ 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
The 27-year-old was often in the press box this season, with depth forwards such as Ryan Lomberg, Kevin Rooney, and most recently, Jakob Pelletier, getting looks over Duehr. With the emergence of Rory Kerins, who has four points in four games, Duehr’s role has become obsolete with the Flames.
In total, the Flames now have 12 active forwards on their roster while Justin Kirkland, Anthony Mantha, and Connor Zary are on the Injured Reserve.
At least with the Sharks, Duehr will get more of an opportunity as they aren’t in the hunt for a post-season spot like the Flames are. He’ll slot in nicely into the young team with more of an opportunity he had with the Flames.
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