Kuznetsov, a defensive defenceman, becomes the third player from that draft to skate in the NHL for the first time this season

Yan Kuznetsov knows the first-game rookie lap to begin warm-up is part of his night and is excited to do his part.

“I’ll take it. I’ll do a couple extra laps,” said the Calgary Flames defenceman after morning skate in anticipation of Tuesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

Kuznetsov, the 2020 second-round draft choice (50th overall) is due to make his NHL debut. The 6-ft.-4, 209-lb. blueliner from Murmansk, Russia, was recalled for the second time this season — he was called up for the final couple of games during the recent road trip — and told before hitting the ice he was to play.

“It’s always been a goal. It’s pretty amazing,” he said. “It’s overwhelming at first. I will just try to enjoy this day as much as I can.”

Kuznetsov, a defensive defenceman, haș collected two goals and seven points in 31 games this season for the AHL Calgary Wranglers, his second full campaign as a professional. Kuznetsov also skated in 18 AHL games over the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, the first half-dozen after finishing his sophomore year at the University of Connecticut and second set before joining the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs.

His game is at its best when he is not being noticed.

“He has a better understanding of how he has to play as a pro,” coach Ryan Huska said. “Maybe his first couple of years, he fought it a little bit, at times, but now he really is starting to figure it out, to be a good checker, a good defender, make the first pass. And he has to use his size to his advantage.

“Those are all things over the course of the last number of years he’s worked on and gotten better with and put himself in the position to get his first game.”

Kuznetsov will become the third player from the 2020 NHL draft to make his NHL debut this season for the Flames, joining first-rounder Connor Zary and seventh-rounder Ilya Solovyov.

Kuznetsov was re-assigned to the Wranglers on Monday, and even practised with them before being told that afternoon he was to be recalled again.

The morning became even better when he was called to Huska’s office for the good news.

"At first, they’re like ‘Why am I in here?’ type of thing. They have a different look in their face, and then you can see the excitement,” Huska said. “He’s worked hard for this opportunity, he’s done a good job over the last little while for the Wranglers and he deserves it, so it’s nice to see a young man’s face when you get to tell him he’s going to play his first game.”

The Flames also dispatched forward Kevin Rooney to the Wranglers on Tuesday after he cleared waivers. Rooney had shoulder surgery after being injured in the pre-season.