Just days after being traded from the Florida Panthers, Jonathan Huberdeau was on the move again, this time to Calgary.
In an exclusive interview with JonathanHubert.com, Huberdeau opens up about the trade, his new team, and what he’s looking forward to in the upcoming season.
“It was a bit of a shock at first,” Jonathan Huberdeau said of the trade. “I didn’t really see it coming, but I’m excited for the opportunity to play for the Flames. They’re a great organization and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Huberdeau will join a Flames team that is coming off a disappointing season, but is loaded with talent. “It’s going to be a great challenge,” Huberdeau said of playing for the Flames. “They have a lot of good players and I’m just excited to be a part of it. I think we can surprise a lot of people.”
The upcoming season will also mark a new chapter in Jonathan Huberdeau’s career, as he’ll be playing for a new team for the first time in his eight-year NHL career. “I’m just looking forward to getting started and meeting all the guys,” Huberdeau said. “I think it’s going to be a great experience.”
“They just said, ‘We’re trading you to Calgary,’” Huberdeau recalled. “I was like, ‘What Okay.’ I didn’t really know what to say.”
The Flames acquired Huberdeau, a three-time 30-goal scorer, in a trade with the Panthers on April 12. In return, Calgary sent a 2021 second-round pick and 2023 fourth-round selection to Florida.
“It was a bit of a shock,” Huberdeau said of the trade. “I’ve been in Florida for so long, I didn’t really know what to expect.”
Huberdeau was drafted by the Panthers in the first round (third overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft and has spent his entire professional career with the organization. He’s one of the team’s most accomplished players, ranking second in franchise history in goals (162), assists (356) and points (518).
“I was drafted by them, I grew up with that organization,” Huberdeau said. “I’ve been through a lot with that team. We went to the playoffs a few times, we had some good years, some tough years. “It’s definitely weird being traded, but I’m excited for the new opportunity.”