Danny Zhilkin set to make NHL debut Thursday vs. Oilers

The 22-year-old centre was recalled Wednesday morning, and the moment he found out quickly turned emotional. Zhilkin was sitting in a barbershop getting a haircut when he missed the first call from Manitoba Moose head coach Mark Morrison. When the phone rang again as he was getting ready to pay, he answered, and immediately became overwhelmed with emotion. The barbershop staff surrounded him in support, while his barber, Arjay Policarpio, a close friend of Zhilkin’s, happened to capture the moment on a security camera, footage they’ll both remember forever.

“I was actually sitting in a barber chair and I missed his first phone call because I was getting a haircut,” Zhilkin said. “Then I was getting up to pay and he called me again. I was just overwhelmed with emotion and I just started crying while paying for my haircut.”

Here’s the moment 2022 third-round pick Danny Zhilkin got the call from #MBMoose head coach Mark Morrison to go up and play with the #NHLJets.

#NHLJetsNation

Zhilkin has been producing with the Moose leading up to his call-up. He’s already surpassed his previous AHL career high in points (10: three goals, seven assists), which he set in 53 games last season. This year, he has seven goals and seven assists for 14 points through 30 games.

Calling it a “dream come true,” Zhilkin added: “You only get one NHL debut. So I’m hoping to go out, have fun, and work.”

Zhilkin was drafted 77th overall in the third round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, and the Moscow, Russia native will be rocking No. 53, the first Jet to wear the number since Brett Festerling in 2011-12.

He’ll be centring the fourth line tonight alongside Cole Koepke and Tanner Pearson. With both Zhilkin and Koepke bringing speed, it’ll be interesting to see if the trio can form an effective, grindy fourth line.

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