Sam Honzek’s Tough Break: A Promising Start, a Brutal Setback, and the Road Ahead
Sam Honzek’s journey to the NHL hasn’t been linear, but it’s been full of promise. The Calgary Flames’ 2023 first-round pick cracked the opening night roster in 2024-25 - a clear vote of confidence from the organization. Though that first stint lasted just five games due to injury, it was a signal: the Flames believed in Honzek’s potential, and he was doing the work to prove them right.
Fast forward to the 2025-26 season, and Honzek was back - stronger, more prepared, and ready to make an impact. He’d spent the summer training in Slovakia with fellow Flame Martin Pospisil, adding 15 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-4 frame.
That offseason grind paid off. Honzek impressed in preseason and earned another opening night roster spot, this time with a bigger role and more responsibility.
He found himself skating on the second and third lines, often alongside veterans Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman - two players known for their two-way reliability and leadership. It was a solid environment for a young forward to learn, grow, and contribute.
And on October 28, in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Honzek scored his first NHL goal - a milestone moment that every player dreams about. That puck’s probably already framed somewhere.
Eight games later, he lit the lamp again, this time against the San Jose Sharks. By mid-November, Honzek had appeared in 18 games, posting two goals, two assists, and a +1 rating - a respectable start for a rookie still finding his rhythm at the NHL level.
Then came the setback.
On November 15, in a game against the Winnipeg Jets, Honzek collided with Backlund - a hard, accidental hit between teammates that ended his night and, as it turned out, his season. The team initially listed it as an upper-body injury and gave him a week-to-week status.
But further evaluation revealed the damage was more severe. Surgery was required, and the recovery timeline stretched up to six months.
It’s a tough blow for a player who’s already battled through his share of injuries in junior and the AHL. This year felt like a real opportunity for Honzek to establish himself as an everyday NHLer. He was trending in the right direction - gaining the trust of the coaching staff, contributing in meaningful minutes, and showing flashes of the offensive upside that made him a first-round pick.
Beyond the NHL, there was also the possibility of Honzek representing Slovakia at the 2026 Olympics alongside Pospisil. That now appears off the table barring a surprisingly quick recovery. It’s a missed opportunity not just for Honzek, but for Slovak hockey fans hoping to see one of their rising stars on the international stage.
For now, the focus shifts to rehab and recovery. If his offseason work last year was any indication, Honzek knows how to put in the time and come back stronger. The Flames will be watching closely, and there’s every reason to believe that, once healthy, he’ll get another shot to show what he can do in the Flaming C.
This season could have been a breakout. Instead, it becomes another chapter in a young career that's already seen its share of adversity. But if there's one thing Honzek has proven, it’s that he doesn’t back down from a challenge.