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Flames' goalie Vladar to have hip surgery, Markstrom cleared to play

Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar will undergo season-ending hip surgery next week.

Calgary starter Jacob Markstrom has been cleared for full practice and game participation from his lower-body injury, the club said Thursday in a statement.

Dustin Wolf, recently called up from the AHL's Calgary Wranglers, will remain on the Flames' roster on an emergency recall basis.

Wolf has started three straight games for a 2-1 record. 

Vladar started the night Markstrom was declared day-to-day March 12, but Wolf drew in for the third period of a 6-2 loss to Colorado.

Vladar's surgery gives the 26-year-old Czech time to rehabilitate and fully recover for the 2024-25 season, the club said.

Vladar went 8-9-2 with a 3.62 goals-against average and .882 save percentage this season.

Markstrom was 8-4 since the all-star break.

Wolf, 22, is considered a top goaltending prospect.

He was named the American Hockey League's top goalie in 2022 and 2023, and its MVP in 2023.

Wolf's record for the Flames this season was 3-4-1.

He went 20-11-3 for the AHL's Wranglers with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

Calgary (33-30-5) was seven points out of a wild-card playoff spot in the NHL's Western Conference heading into Thursday's action.

The Flames head into back-to-back games Saturday in Vancouver against the Canucks and at home Sunday to the Buffalo Sabres.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 21, 2024.

The Canadian Press


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