Flames’ Hanifin out for season, will need shoulder surgery

Ottawa Senators’ Evgenii Dadonov, right, is checked by Calgary Flames’ Noah Hanifin during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta,, Monday, April 19, 2021. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators’ Evgenii Dadonov, right, is checked by Calgary Flames’ Noah Hanifin during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta,, Monday, April 19, 2021. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin will need season-ending shoulder surgery.

The 24-year-old was injured early in the first period of Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Hanifin was tangling with Canadiens forward Corey Perry along the boards near the Flames bench when his left leg went out from underneath him. Hanifin’s shoulder made contact with the ice as he went down.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound defender has four goals and 11 assists and was a minus-2 in 47 games this season.

The loss of a top-four defenseman may hurt Calgary’s playoff hopes.

The Flames were four points back of the Canadiens, who were holding down the North Division’s fourth and final playoff spot heading into Monday’s game against Montreal.

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