Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames
Founded	1972 (as Atlanta Flames)
Home ice	Pengrowth Saddledome
Based in	Calgary
Colours	Red, gold, white and black.
League	National Hockey League
Head coach	Darryl Sutter
General manager	Darryl Sutter
Owner	Harley Hotchkiss

The Calgary Flames are a National Hockey League team based in Calgary, Alberta.

Founded: 1972

Formerly Known As: Atlanta Flames 1972-1980

Arena: Pengrowth Saddledome

Uniform colours: Home: Red with Black, White and Yellow trim; Road: White with Red, Yellow and Black trim; Alternate: Black with Red, Yellow and White trim

Logo design: Home: A black "C" with white flames; Road: A red "C" with yellow flames; Alternate: A "horse head" with flaming nostrils; Assistant captains' "A" on jersey is a miniature Atlanta Flames logo

Stanley Cups won: 1989

Clarence S. Campbell Bowls won: 1986, 1989, 2004

Presidents Trophies won: 1988, 1989

Division Championships won: 1988, 1989, 1990 (Smythe), 1994,1995 (Pacific)

Contents

1 Franchise history 1.1 The Atlanta Flames (1972-1980) 1.2 Career Leaders (Atlanta Flames) 1.3 Move to Calgary (1980-current) 1.4 Career Leaders (1972-current) 2 The Red Mile 3 Year-By-Year Record 3.1 Atlanta Flames (1972-1980) 3.2 Calgary Flames (1981-present) 4 Players 4.1 Current Squad 4.2 Hall of Famers 4.3 Current stars 4.4 Not to be forgotten 4.5 Prospects 4.6 Retired Numbers 5 External link

Franchise history

The Atlanta Flames (1972-1980)

When it was first announced that Atlanta, Georgia would have an NHL franchise starting in 1972, many hockey observers thought that a team based in the southern United States was a ludicrous and foolish move, especially since the talent pool was ravaged by repeated expansion and the raiding of the new World Hockey Association. The team met with respectable success on the ice, however, behind new star goaltender Dan Bouchard, solid defensemen such as Randy Manery and Pat Quinn, and forwards Tom Lysiak, Willi Plett, Curt Bennett and Eric Vail. The Flames would make the playoffs six of their first eight seasons, a mark bettered only by the Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers in the entire history of the NHL. The team would not post a losing record after the 1974 season, and with the addition of scoring stars Bobby MacMillan and Guy Chouinard, and stellar forward Kent Nilsson after the WHA's collapse in 1979, respectable fan support presaged long-term success.

Career Leaders (Atlanta Flames)

• Games: Rey Comeau, Eric Vail, 469
• Goals: Vail, 174
• Assists: Tom Lysiak, 276
• Points: Lysiak, 431
• Penalty Minutes: Pat Quinn, 555
• Goaltender Games: Dan Bouchard, 384
• Goaltender Wins: Bouchard, 164
• Shutouts: Bouchard, 20

Move to Calgary (1980-current)

However, the Atlanta ownership was never on sound financial footing, and eager for hockey in their home province, Calgary interests offered $16 million US for the team, the highest price to date ever paid for a NHL franchise. Tom Cousins, the majority Atlanta owner, promptly sold out. In their first year in Alberta, led by Kent Nilsson's 49 goals, the Flames won their first two playoff series (a sweep over the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round and a seven-game victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round) before bowing out to the Minnesota North Stars in the semi-finals.

By 1986 the Flames had landed Doug Riseborough, Lanny McDonald, Dan Quinn and goalie Mike Vernon. They beat the Vancouver Canucks in the first round, beat the Edmonton Oilers in the second round on Steve Smith's fluke goal into his own net in the seventh game, and also won in seven games over the St. Louis Blues. They were no match for the Montreal Canadiens in the finals, losing in five games. However in 1989, they won the Stanley Cup against the Canadiens allowing veteran captain Lanny McDonald to end his career with a Stanley Cup celebration. This victory was especially significant in that it marked the only time that an opposing team won the Stanley Cup on the Canadiens' home ice.

After seven consecutive seasons out of the playoffs, the Flames returned to glory in 2004, surprising the hockey world by defeating all three Western Conference division champions to become the first Canadian team in a decade to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flames' first victim was the Northwest Division winners, the Vancouver Canucks, in seven games. Then, they shocked the Central Division champions and President's Trophy winners for the best regular-season record, the Detroit Red Wings, in six games. After eliminating the Pacific Division champs, the San Jose Sharks, in six games in the Western Conference finals, the Flames earned a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals to face the Tampa Bay Lightning. By this time, practically all of Canada had thrown immense support behind the Cinderella-story Flames, who had now become a hockey-mad country's first chance to win the Stanley Cup since 1993. The Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. flew the Flames flag beside the Maple Leaf, as did San Jose's city hall (after the Sharks lost the series, the Mayor of San Jose declared his city hall the world headquarters of Flames fans.) Calgary especially exploded in a non-stop fit of partying unprecedented in the normally conservative city. The final series went to 7 games, with the Flames suffering a controversial non goal in game six at home. After winning game 6 in double overtime, Tampa Bay Lightning went on to hold the Flames to only 7 shots in the first two periods in game 7. The Flames went on to a late surge, but it was too little too late as they lost game 7 on June 7, 2004 by a score of 2-1.

Career Leaders (1972-current)

• Games: Al MacInnis, 803
• Goals: Theoren Fleury, 364
• Assists: MacInnis, 609
• Points: Fleury, 830
• Penalty Minutes: Tim Hunter, 2405
• Goaltender Games: Bouchard, 398
• Goaltender Wins: Bouchard, 168
• Shutouts: Bouchard, 20

The Red Mile

During the Flames magical run to the finals of 2004, the city of Calgary became a non-stop party as the 1,000,000+ residents jumped on the Flames bandwagon. The 17th Ave SW entertainment district, which runs west from the Saddledome, flooded with as many as 60,000 red-clad fans after games. The street became known as "The Red Mile". It also gained notoriety quickly as women would frequently celebrate a win by baring their breasts for the crowd atop shoulders or cars. The Red Mile party became world-famous and received coverage in newspapers around the world. While other sports-celebrating crowds frequently turn violent, such as soccer riots, the Red Mile was notable in that incidents were minimal, the crowds were positive, and no arrests were made.

Year-By-Year Record

Atlanta Flames (1972-1980)

Year	GP	W	L	T	OL	GF	GA	PTS	Finish	Playoffs
1972-73	78	25	38	15	-	191	239	65	7th West	Out of Playoffs
1973-74	78	30	34	14	-	214	238	74	4th West	Lost Quarterfinal (PHI)
1974-75	80	34	31	15	-	243	233	83	4th Patrick	Out of Playoffs
1975-76	80	35	33	12	-	262	237	82	3rd Patrick	Lost Preliminary (LA)
1976-77	80	34	34	12	-	264	265	80	3rd Patrick	Lost Preliminary (LA)
1977-78	80	34	27	19	-	274	252	87	3rd Patrick	Lost Preliminary (DET)
1978-79	80	41	31	8	-	327	280	90	4th Patrick	Lost Preliminary (TOR)
1979-80	80	35	32	13	-	282	269	83	4th Patrick	Lost Preliminary (NYR)

Calgary Flames (1981-present)

Year	GP	W	L	T	OL	GF	GA	PTS	Finish	Playoffs
1980-81	80	39	27	14	-	329	298	92	5th Patrick	Lost Semifinal (MIN)
1981-82	80	29	34	17	-	334	345	75	5th Smythe	Lost Division Semifinal (VAN)
1982-83	80	32	34	14	-	321	317	78	2nd Smythe	Lost Division Final (EDM)
1983-84	80	34	32	14	-	311	314	82	2nd Smythe	Lost Division Final (EDM)
1984-85	80	41	27	12	-	363	302	94	3rd Smythe	Lost Division Semifinal (WPG)
1985-86	80	10	31	9	-	354	315	89	2nd Smythe	Lost Stanley Cup Final (MTL)
1986-87	80	46	31	3	-	318	289	94	2nd Smythe	Lost Division Semifinal (WPG)
1987-88	80	48	23	9	-	397	305	105	1st Smythe	Lost Division Final (EDM)
1988-89	80	54	17	9	-	354	226	117	1st Smythe	Won Stanley Cup
1989-90	80	42	23	15	-	348	265	99	1st Smythe	Lost Division Semifinal (LA)
1990-91	80	46	26	8	-	344	263	100	2nd Smythe	Lost Division Semifinal (EDM)
1991-92	80	31	37	12	-	296	305	74	5th Smythe	Out of Playoffs
1992-93	84	43	30	11	-	322	282	97	2nd Smythe	Lost Division Semifinal (LA)
1993-94	84	42	29	13	-	302	256	97	1st Pacific	Lost Conference Quarterfinal (VAN)
1994-95	48	24	17	7	-	163	135	55	1st Pacific	Lost Conference Quarterfinal (SJ)
1995-96	82	34	37	11	-	241	240	79	2nd Pacific	Lost Conference Quarterfinal (CHI)
1996-97	82	32	41	9	-	214	239	73	5th Pacific	Out of Playoffs
1997-98	82	26	41	15	-	217	252	67	5th Pacific	Out of Playoffs
1998-99	82	30	40	12	-	211	234	72	3rd Pacific	Out of Playoffs
1999-2000	82	31	36	10	5	211	256	77	4th Northwest	Out of Playoffs
2000-01	82	27	36	15	4	197	236	73	4th Northwest	Out of Playoffs
2001-02	82	32	35	12	3	201	220	79	4th Northwest	Out of Playoffs
2002-03	82	29	36	13	4	186	228	75	5th Northwest	Out of Playoffs
2003-04	82	42	30	7	3	200	176	94	3rd Northwest	Lost Stanley Cup Final (TB)

Players

Current Squad

As of 27 March 2005

Goaltenders:

• 34 - Miikka Kiprusoff Missing image
  Finland_flag_large.png
  Finnish
  
  
• 1 - Roman Turek

Defensemen:

• 2 - Mike Commodore
• 4 - Jordan Leopold
• 5 - Steve Montador
• 21 - Andrew Ference
• 28 - Robyn Regehr
• 32 - Toni Lydman Missing image
  Finland_flag_large.png
  Finnish
  
  
• 44 - Rhett Warrener

Forwards:

• 7 - Chuck Kobasew
• 10 - Dave Lowry
• 11 - Stephane Yelle
• 12 - Jarome Iginla
• 15 - Chris Simon
• 16 - Shean Donovan
• 17 - Chris Clark
• 18 - Matthew Lombardi
• 19 - Daymond Langkow
• 22 - Lynn Loyns
• 23 - Martin Gelinas
• 24 - Ville Nieminen Missing image
  Finland_flag_large.png
  Finnish
  
  
• 27 - Steven Reinprecht
• 29 - Jason Wiemer

Hall of Famers

• Lanny McDonald (1992)
• Joe Mullen

Current stars

• Jarome Iginla
• Daymond Langkow
• Shean Donovan
• Martin Gelinas
• Miikka Kiprusoff
• Robyn Regehr

Not to be forgotten

• Curt Bennett
• Dan Bouchard
• Mel Bridgeman
• Shawn Burke
• Bill Clement
• Guy Chouinard
• Craig Conroy
• Chris Drury
• Theoren Fleury
• Denis Gauthier
• Doug Gilmour
• Phil Housley
• Brett Hull
• Tim Hunter
• Ken Houston
• Trevor Kidd
• Kevin Lavallee
• Rejean Lemelin
• Don Lever
• Hakan Loob
• Tom Lysiak
• Al MacInnis
• Bob MacMillan
• Jamie Macoun
• Brad Marsh
• Derek Morris
• Phil Myre
• Joe Nieuwendyk
• Kent Nilsson
• Joel Otto
• Jim Peplinski
• Willi Plett
• Dan Quinn
• Paul Reinhart
• Gary Roberts
• Phil Russell
• Marc Savard
• Gary Suter
• John Tonelli
• Eric Vail
• Mike Vernon

Prospects

• Kris Chucko
• Brent Krahn
• Eric Nystrom
• Dion Phaneuf
• Tim Ramholt
• Dustin Boyd

Retired Numbers

• 9 Lanny McDonald
• 99 Wayne Gretzky (retired league-wide by the NHL)

External link

• Calgary Flames official web site (http://www.calgaryflames.com/)
• Playoff Pictures (http://aboutcalgary.net/postcard/flames/2004/)

National Hockey League
Current Teams : Anaheim | Atlanta | Boston | Buffalo | Calgary | Carolina | Chicago | Colorado | Columbus | Dallas | Detroit | Edmonton | Florida | Los Angeles | Minnesota | Montreal | Nashville | New Jersey | NY Islanders | NY Rangers | Ottawa | Philadelphia | Phoenix | Pittsburgh | San Jose | St. Louis | Tampa Bay | Toronto | Vancouver | Washington
Trophies and Awards: Stanley Cup | Prince of Wales | Clarence S. Campbell | Presidents' Trophy | Art Ross | Bill Masterton | Calder | Conn Smythe | Hart | Norris | King Clancy | Lady Byng | Lester B. Pearson Award | Rocket Richard | Plus/Minus | Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award | Jennings | Vezina
Related Articles: AHL | ECHL | WHA | World Cup

af:Calgary Flames de:Calgary Flames fi:Calgary Flames gl:Calgary Flames ja:カルガリー・フレームス sv:Calgary Flames