Calgary Flames center facing extended absence due to upper-body injury

Huska stated that Rooney’s injury is “not short-term” without offering a specific return timeline.

The Flames bench boss also followed up on Jakob Pelletier’s injury status, relaying that the winger’s shoulder surgery went according to plan. Still, there is no expected timeline on when he might return, either.

Rooney, 30, is an undrafted center who played for and captained Providence College during his tenure in the NCAA. Over his four-year collegiate career, the center registered 36 points in 144 games played. Afterwards, he signed an AHL-only contract with the Albany Devils on July 5, 2016. His play for New Jersey’s AHL affiliate eventually earned him an NHL contract with the New Jersey Devils for the remainder of the 2016-17 season.

Moving ahead, Rooney managed to continue receiving NHL contracts. He’s played for three organizations during his NHL career in the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Flames. The physical 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward has amassed 46 points in 227 NHL games played while adding 118 penalty minutes.

Now that Rooney and Pelletier appear to be injured for a long stretch, Calgary’s fourth-line makeup is clouded in uncertainty. According to Cap Friendly, the Flames are sitting at $213,333 over the salary cap, with LTIR only being an option for Rooney and Pelletier if they’re out for at least 10 games and 24 days.