The final game for the Calgary Flames this season could have more than one big National Hockey League debut. In addition to the previously-reported debut of college star Matt Coronato, the club has recalled goaltender Dustin Wolf from the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers.
And while the Flames are typically cagey about announcing their starting netminder, it seems improbable that they’d call up Wolf to work the gate.
The move was hinted at on Tuesday afternoon by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and reported by Sportsnet 960 The Fan’s Pat Steinberg on Tuesday evening.
It’s Wolf’s third call-up to the NHL, following a pair of short-term recalls where he dressed as backup – once to Jacob Markstrom and once to Dan Vladar.
If we’re being honest here, Wolf is one of the top goaltending prospects in the entire sport. He’s 21 and turns 22 on Sunday. He was the fourth-from-last selection (214th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Since joining the Everett Silvertips of the Western League back in 2017, Wolf has had a heck of an ascendance. He’s been goalie of the year in the WHL (2019-20, 2020-21), CHL (2020-21) and AHL (2022-23), and since going pro in 2020 he’s been probably the best goaltender in all of minor pro hockey. All this before the age of 22.
Wolf has backstopped the Wranglers to a heck of a season. They’re destined for the Calder Cup playoffs, and seem primed for a lengthy run. But before that begins, Wolf gets a nice reward for two spectacular AHL seasons with his first NHL appearance.
Based on his pro career thus far, it seems likely to be the first of many.