VIDEO: Former Blazer Connor Zary scores 1st NHL goal in 1st career game

It didn’t take long for Connor Zary to make an impact at hockey’s highest level.

The 22-year-old was called up by the Calgary Flames earlier this week and skated in his first NHL game Wednesday night.

He made his presence felt immediately.

CONNOR ZARY!! FIRST NHL GOAL IN HIS FIRST NHL GAME!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/48ONd2XBMv

— NHL (@NHL) November 2, 2023

Just over five minutes into the opening frame, the former Kamloops Blazer went hard to the net and slammed home a loose puck for his first career NHL goal.

The Saskatoon native, who was selected by the Flames in the first round, 24th overall, of the 2020 NHL draft, was mobbed by his ecstatic teammates after the milestone.

Later in the game, Zary nearly made it a dream debut with a goal that would have been shown on highlight reels for quite some time.

Connor Zary with a beautiful end to end rush! So close to scoring a spectacular goal. pic.twitter.com/GFIbLeF5St

— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) November 2, 2023

With the Flames on the powerplay and down one goal in the third period, Zary took a pass in his own end and flew through the neutral zone with speed.

As he entered the Dallas zone, Zary unleashed a nifty toe-drag move on Stars’ defenceman Jani Hakanpää, who’s nearly 10 years Zary’s senior, searching for his jock strap.

With Hakanpää left in the dust, Zary cut to the net and made a deke to the backhand on Jake Oettinger, but was unable to lift the puck over the goalie’s outstretched pad.

It would have tied the game at four, but instead the Flames were unable to find an equalizer and dropped the game by that same score to move to 2-7-1 on the young season.

A moment he’ll never forget 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rJZ3xPnseq

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) November 2, 2023

“To be honest, I remember it hitting me and I remember just trying to find it, it dropped down right in front of me and I put it in, but after that I don’t remember anything,” Zary said of his first goal post-game.

“I just remember kind of looking around happy as can be, screaming. It was pretty cool and just kind of hugging the guys and all the guys coming over and tapping me was pretty special.”

With the Flames looking for all the help they can find offensively, Zary’s first taste of NHL action was a great audition as he looks to stay up with the club long-term and make a positive impact.