The Utica Comets will be without their leading scorer as the American Hockey League’s regular season winds down.

Hunter Shinkaruk was traded by the parent Vancouver Canucks on Monday afternoon to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Markus Granlund.

“It’s been a crazy day,” Shinkaruk said Monday night during a telephone interview. “There are a lot of mixed emotions for me. But, I’m very excited. Growing up in Calgary, I’ve dreamed of playing for (the Flames).”

The trade sent ripples through social media as Comets fans weighed in on the move. Many were sad to see the likable and talented 21-year-old no longer in the Canucks organization.

Shinkaruk, a Calgary native, is in the midst of a successful second professional season. Shinkaruk got off to a quick start, notching a hat trick against Rochester in Utica’s home-opener in October and added another in November. In 45 games with the Comets this season, Shinkaruk led the team in goals (21) and points (39). Shinkaruk also lead Utica with 10 power-play goals. Shinkaruk, the Comets’ lone All-Star representative this season, is tied for 19th in the American Hockey League’s scoring race.

Shinkaruk said having the opportunity to learn from Comets head coach Travis Green, who played in 970 career NHL games, and assistant coaches Paul Jerrard and Nolan Baumgartner was beneficial.

“Greener has helped me a lot,” Shinkaruk said. “I appreciate everything I’ve learned from (the coaches).”

Shinkaruk, who is the third Comets player to score at least 20 goals in a season, was one shy of tying the team’s single-season goals record of 22 set by Pascal Pelletier in 2013-14. Shinkaruk finished with 37 goals and 33 assists in 119 regular-season games with the Comets. He also had four goals and two assists in 23 games during the team’s run to the Calder Cup Finals last season.

“I’ve enjoyed my time in Utica,” said Shinkaruk, who practiced with the Comets on Monday morning at the Utica Memorial Auditorium before the trade was finalized and made public. “It’s such a great town for hockey. … Everyone in Utica has been great. The fans showed great support in the run to the Calder Cup Finals last season. It was unbelievable.

“I can’t say enough good things about Utica. It’s really been great.”

Shinkaruk, a 5-foot-11 left wing, made his National Hockey League debut with Vancouver on Nov. 16 when he played about 10 minutes against Montreal before being reassigned to Utica.

With the trade, Brendan Gaunce takes over as the Comets’ new leading scorer with 15 goals and 18 assists in 40 games. Gaunce, who turns 23 in March, has five goals and six assists in eight games this month. He is now the lone Comets player with 30 or more points this season.

Utica, which has lost two consecutive games, is 25-18-5-3 and in third place in the North Division. The Comets, who have 25 games left in the regular season, play the division rival St. John’s IceCaps (23-21-7-3) at 7 p.m. Friday at the Aud.

Calgary said Shinkaruk will report to the team’s AHL affiliate in Stockton, California. The team plays in the Pacific Division in the league’s Western Conference.

The 22-year-old Granlund, who is expected to report to Vancouver, has played with Calgary (four goals and three assists in 31 games) and its affiliate the Stockton Heat (five goals and four assists in 12 games) this season. He has totaled 28 points in 86 National Hockey League games.

“We just felt like this was a good move for our team now and moving forward,” said Canucks General Manager Jim Benning told the Vancouver media Monday.