Jakob Pelletier’s Comeback: Rebounding with Energy and a Smile

Jakob Pelletier’s sure looks like his old self in his return to the Calgary Flames lineup.

Pelletier’s journey back to the NHL hasn't been easy. Last year was supposed to be his breakout season. Instead he was broken — literally and probably figuratively, too, as a pair of shoulder injuries derailed his development.

Surgery kept him out of the lineup until later in the year, but he was tentative when back, and then quickly suffered a second injury. When he returned for the second time, he was a shell of the promising prospect that had Flames fans so excited during his NHL appearances in 2022-23 — when he scored three goals and seven points in 24 appearances.

A disappointing training camp this September led to his demotion in October. The 22-year-old has been a stellar offensive producer in the American Hockey League but his niche in the NHL may be as much about the energy and positivity he provides as his potential to score.

That spark and his trademark smile are back, and Pelletier made an immediate impact with the Flames this week after being called up from the Calgary Wranglers along with Walker Duehr, injecting energy, skill, and positivity into the lineup.

Related: Pelletier Back With Flames With Opportunity Knocking

In just his second game back, he found the back of the net with the first NHL goal of the year, and the first he's ever scored in front of Flames fans at the Saddledome. It was a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination to overcome adversity and reclaim his place in the NHL.

Even if that place is on the fourth line.

Pelletier has looked great alongside Kevin Rooney and fellow sparkplug Ryan Lomberg, with Duehr on the more 'elevated' trio beside Connor Zary and Blake Coleman.

His positivity and enthusiasm are infectious and that's not lost on his teammates. It's not lost from Pelletier's' perspective, either. The prospect has been honest about the frustration of his setbacks but has used them as fuel to come back stronger — again, both literally and figuratively.

Looking to improve a dismal road record with a two-game journey that takes the Flames through Dallas and Nashville, Pelletier will look to build on his early success and continue providing a spark the team needs.