Photo Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Calgary Flames have just announced that they’ve acquired right-winger Kevin Westgarth from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Greg Nemisz, who was playing for the Abbotsford Heat. At 6′ 4″ and 234lbs, Westgarth will add some needed bulk to the wing of the Flames. Brian Burke had said previously that he wanted some toughness in Calgary, and Westgarth seems to fit that description perfectly in a young 29-year-old package.
Westgarth’s time in the NHL, although relatively short, has been eventful. In five seasons, he’s won a Stanley Cup ring with the L.A. Kings, earned 26 fighting majors, and tallied more penalty minutes than games played (153 penalty minutes with the L.A. Kings, 49 penalty minutes with the Carolina Hurricanes, and a grand total of 133 games played).
There’s a possibility that he could suit up for the Flames on on New Year’s Eve and play against the Philadelphia Flyers, but that remains to be announced. I hope that Westgarth can bring some defensive play to the game because Calgary will need it that night.
Westgarth is from Amherstburg, Ontario and moved on to play hockey for the Princeton Tigers. He had 130 penalty minutes and 60 points in 116 games while playing for Princeton. After his time at Princeton, he signed on as a free agent with the L.A. Kings. From there, he moved on to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes in early 2013.
Welcome to the Calgary Flames, Kevin Westgarth!