Newly acquired Zach Whitecloud expected to make Flames debut against Devils

Just one day after being traded, Zach Whitecloud will make his Calgary Flames debut.

The defenceman is expected to suit up Monday as the Flames host the New Jersey Devils, Sportsnet’s Eric Francis reported.

“Excited is an understatement,” he said. “Growing up in Manitoba, I watched the Flames, Leafs, Oilers and Canucks and all those teams, and I never envisioned myself playing in the NHL for one.

“Really excited to join the group there and play in an atmosphere where hockey is No. 1.”

The Flames acquired Whitecloud along with Abram Wiebe and two draft picks from the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday in a deal that sent defenceman Rasmus Andersson the other way.

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Calgary currently sits near the bottom of the Pacific Division with 46 points, but the right-handed Whitecloud believes the team is going in the right direction and he’s looking forward to making an impact.

“The team has been playing well. I think they have a lot of guys in place that have had really good careers, really good goaltending, good D corps, good forward groups, and playing in that atmosphere; it’s always a tough building to come in and play in Calgary throughout my career.

“I’m excited to be part of that now and make Calgary a continued spot where it’s difficult to come in and play and keep trying to push forward a winning tradition here.”

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Whitecloud, 29, was a long-time member of the Golden Knights, signing with the team as an undrafted college free agent in 2018.

Over his eight seasons in the NHL, the Brandon, Man., native has 23 goals and 55 assists through 368 games. He helped Vegas win the Cup in 2023, playing in all 22 post-season contests and registering two goals and six assists.

Through 47 games this season, he has two goals and five assists while playing an average of 18:46 of ice time per night.

Whitecloud is in Year 4 of a six-year deal that carries a $2.75 million cap hit.