CALGARY – Things are looking great for Calgary Flames defenseman Joel Hanley. He just had his second child and celebrated with his first goal of the season, which also turned out to be the game-winner against the San Jose Sharks in a tight 3-2 match.
“The baby is healthy, and the team won, so it feels amazing,” said Hanley, who took time off for the birth of his daughter, Millie.
Hanley scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period. After receiving a pass from Nazem Kadri, he took a shot that got blocked. But Jonathan Huberdeau was there to retrieve the puck and set it back to Hanley, who fired it into the net. The crowd erupted as he celebrated, pumping his fist in joy. “It felt unreal,” Hanley shared. “I was soaking in the moment.”
This season has been a test of resilience for Hanley. Originally from Keswick, Ontario, he played Junior A hockey before moving on to the University of Massachusetts Amherst for four years. Undrafted, he spent three seasons in the minors before finally making his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens in 2016. He’s also played for the Arizona Coyotes and Dallas Stars before being picked up by Calgary in March 2024.
Entering this season, Hanley found himself as Calgary’s eighth defenseman, spending a significant portion of the early games as a healthy scratch. But his attitude and dedication to practice kept him prepared. Flames coach Ryan Huska praised Hanley’s resilience, noting that it’s not easy to maintain motivation when you’re not playing. “He treats practice as if it’s a game, and when he finally got his shot, he took full advantage,” Huska said.
Hanley acknowledged the struggle. “The first months were tough, but once I got my chance, I wanted to make the most of it,” he explained. Now, he’s become a regular in the team’s top four and is pairing up with MacKenzie Weegar. “His efforts matter, and we really needed that goal,” Huska added.
The victory against the Sharks ended a three-game winless streak for the Flames, bringing them closer to playoff contention, just one point behind the Vancouver Canucks for the second wild-card spot in the West.
“It’s exciting for a guy like him,” Kadri said. “It gives everyone a boost. I’m really happy for him.”
With a challenging six-game road trip coming up, starting with the Washington Capitals, the Flames know they need to elevate their game. “Tonight’s pace has to improve. We need to be more physical,” Huska cautioned as the team prepares for a tough schedule ahead, including games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, and finishing in Dallas right before the NHL trade deadline.
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