Calgary Flames youngster Jakob Pelletier just can’t catch a break.
In just his fourth game back after missing the Flames’ first 49 games of the season with a shoulder injury, Pelletier was forced to leave Monday’s contest against the New York Rangers after being on the receiving end of a huge hit from Jacob Trouba in the first period.
To make matters worse, Pelletier appeared to be favouring the same left shoulder he had surgically repaired before the start of the season.
After receiving the hit, Pelletier jumped on the ice during a TV timeout and tested out his shoulder. Something clearly still felt off, so he headed to the team’s locker room. The team later announced that he would not return to the game due to an upper-body injury.
Flames head coach Ryan Huska told reporters following the game that he did not have an update on Pelletier’s status.
Pelletier, 22, has one assist since his return. He had three goals and seven assists in 24 appearances for the Flames in 2022-23.
The Quebec City native was selected 26th overall by the Flames at the 2019 NHL Draft.