1988–89 Calgary Flames season
Encyclopedia
The 1988–89 Calgary Flames season was the 9th season for the Calgary Flames
and 16th for the Flames franchise in the National Hockey League
(NHL). They won their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy
as the NHL's top regular season club and went on to win the first Stanley Cup
championship in franchise history, defeating the Montreal Canadiens
in the 1989 Stanley Cup Final. Al MacInnis
won the Conn Smythe Trophy
as the most valuable player of the playoffs.
The regular season saw the debut of Theoren Fleury
, who went on to become the Flames' all-time leading scorer, and Sergei Pryakhin
, who became the first Soviet player allowed to play in the NHL. Four players represented the Flames at the 1989 All-Star Game
: Gary Suter
, Joe Nieuwendyk
, Joe Mullen
and Mike Vernon. Mullen received several awards following the season. He was named the winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
for gentlemanly conduct, won the Emery Edge Award for having the top plus-minus in the league and was named a First Team All-Star
.
Co-captain Lanny McDonald
scored his 1,000th point and 500th goal late in the season. He ended his Hockey Hall of Fame
career by scoring a goal in the game that clinched the Stanley Cup before announcing his retirement in the summer.
desiring a trade. Late in the summer, he dealt Bullard, and two players to the St. Louis Blues
for a package of four players that was led by Doug Gilmour
, who had scored 105 points two years previous.
Coach Terry Crisp favoured a defensively responsible system, and as a result, the Flames had given up the fewest goals in the league after two months while goaltenders Mike Vernon and Rick Wamsley
were first and third in the league respectively in goals against average
. The team maintained its defensive focus throughout the season, allowing 79 fewer goals – just under one per game less – than in 1987–88, surrendering a franchise record low total of 226.
Fletcher proclaimed in December that this Flames team was the best he had ever built. Calgary lost just four of its first 28 games, and on December 8 set a franchise record with its 13th consecutive game without a loss in a 5–3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers
. The team also went unbeaten in its first 17 home games, compiling a 14–0–3
record in that time that featured victories of 11–4 over the Los Angeles Kings
, 6–1 over the St. Louis Blues and 9–0 over the Hartford Whalers
.
Though the Flames were established as the Smythe Division
leaders, the team struggled around the Christmas break. After winning only one of five games towards the end of December, the team recalled two players from their minor league affiliate, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles
. Paul Ranheim
was brought up on December 27, but played only five games in Calgary. Theoren Fleury
was brought up on January 1. He was leading the International Hockey League in scoring with 74 points in 40 games at the time of his recall, and immediately became a fan favourite in Calgary for his aggressive style despite his small, 5' 6" stature. Fleury scored three assists in his second career game, and his first two goals in his third, a 7–2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
Four players were chosen to represent the Flames at the 40th National Hockey League All-Star Game
in Edmonton. Mike Vernon was the winning goaltender in the Campbell Conference's 9–5 victory while forwards Joe Mullen
and Joe Nieuwendyk
, and defenceman Gary Suter
also played in the game.
Co-captain Lanny McDonald
, a veteran of 16 NHL seasons, reached two of the league's most important milestones late in the season. He scored a goal against Bob Essensa
of the Winnipeg Jets on March 7 to score the 1,000th point of his NHL career. Two weeks later, on March 21, McDonald scored his 500th goal against Mark Fitzpatrick
in a 4–1 victory over the New York Islanders
in Calgary.
On the same night that McDonald scored his 500th, Joe Nieuwendyk
scored his 50th goal of the season, becoming the third player in NHL history after Mike Bossy
and Wayne Gretzky
to reach the 50-goal mark in his first two seasons. Nieuwendyk scored his 100th career goal in just his 144th game. He reached the milestone in the third fewest games in league history, behind Mike Bossy (129 games) and Maurice Richard
(134 games).
Joe Mullen also topped 50 goals for the Flames. He finished seventh in league scoring with 110 points, and broke Jimmy Carson
's NHL record for most points in a season by an American-born player.
The Flames made NHL history when they successfully completed a deal with the Soviet Ice Hockey Federation that allowed 25-year-old forward Sergei Pryakhin
to become the first Soviet player permitted by his native federation to play in the NHL. Pryakhin made his debut on March 31 in a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Flames finished the season with 54 wins, a franchise record, and became the fifth team in NHL history to win 50 games in a season after the Montreal Canadiens
, Boston Bruins
, Philadelphia Flyers
and Edmonton Oilers. Calgary was nearly unbeatable on home ice, winning 34 of 40 games, and losing just four. They won their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy
as the top regular season team in the NHL.
proved a significant challenge in the Smythe Division
semifinal. Calgary produced an uninspired effort in the opening game that resulted in a 4–3 loss as former Flame Paul Reinhart
scored the winner for Vancouver in overtime
. The Flames rebounded with 5–2 and 4–0 victories, but the Canucks continued to battle. Vancouver won the fourth game and after losing the fifth, staved off elimination with a 6–3 victory in game six, setting up a seventh and deciding game.
The seventh game went to overtime, tied 3–3, and the extra period was dominated by fast offensive rushes as both teams sought to end the series. Both goaltenders were forced to make spectacular saves, highlighted by Mike Vernon's glove save to stop Vancouver's Stan Smyl
on a breakaway
. That save was a defining moment of Vernon's career, and has since been called "the save that won the Cup". With less than a minute remaining in the first overtime period, Jim Peplinski
fired a wide-angle shot towards the Vancouver goal that deflected off Joel Otto
's skate and into the net, winning the game and series for the Flames.
Calgary faced Wayne Gretzky
and the Los Angeles Kings
in the Smythe Division final. The Flames won the series in four straight, holding the highest scoring team in the league to 11 goals for the series. The Smythe final was most remembered for a controversial goal the Flames scored in the second game at Calgary. Vernon was knocked down in his crease by the Kings' Bernie Nicholls
, and believing the goaltender was injured, Flames' trainer Bearcat Murray
jumped onto the ice to tend to the fallen player as the Flames rushed the puck into the Los Angeles zone. Al MacInnis
scored on the play as the Kings vehemently protested the goal should have been disallowed because Murray was on the ice. The goal stood and ended up the winning goal in an 8–3 victory.
The Chicago Blackhawks
were the Flames' opponents in the Campbell Conference final. The Flames won the series with relative ease, dropping only a 4–2 decision in the second game en route to a five-game series victory. Calgary won their second Clarence S. Campbell Bowl
in franchise history as conference champions, and advanced to the Stanley Cup
championship to face the Montreal Canadiens
in a rematch of the 1986 final.
The final opened in Calgary where the Flames emerged with a 3–2 win on the strength of two Al MacInnis goals before Montreal evened the series with a 4–2 victory in game two. The third game, in Montreal, went to overtime with the score tied 3–3. Late in the second extra period, Calgary's Mark Hunter was penalized for boarding, allowing Montreal to win the game at 38:08 of overtime. The penalty call was controversial, and members of the press spent the following days arguing the legitimacy of the call.
The Flames entered the pivotal fourth game believing it was key to maintaining their chances of winning the title. Colin Patterson referred to it as being a "do-or-you're-gonna-die game". Calgary emerged with a 4–2 victory to even the series at two wins apiece heading back home for game five. The Flames rushed out to a 3–1 first period lead in the fifth game, and though Montreal scored in the second period to close within one goal, Vernon prevented Montreal from tying the game, and the Flames took a 3–2 series lead.
For the sixth game, coach Terry Crisp added 36-year-old Lanny McDonald to the lineup after sitting him out the previous three games. The veteran forward was the sentimental favourite to win the Cup, and Crisp wanted to give him the opportunity to win the title on the ice. The move paid dividends as after serving a penalty in the second period, McDonald stepped out of the penalty box and joined the rush where he took a pass from Joe Nieuwendyk
and shot it over Montreal goaltender Patrick Roy
to give the Flames a 2–1 lead. Doug Gilmour
added two third period goals, including the eventual winner, as the Flames won the Stanley Cup by a 4–2 score. In doing so, they became the only team to ever defeat the Canadiens on Montreal Forum
ice to win the championship.
Al MacInnis was named the Conn Smythe Trophy
winner as the most valuable player of the playoffs, and with 31 points became the first defenceman to lead the league in post-season scoring. He finished with a 17-game scoring streak, the longest by a defenceman in NHL history.
Lanny McDonald announced his retirement on August 28, 1989, ending his career with the Stanley Cup championship. The Flames named him their Vice President in charge of corporate and community affairs. Three years later, McDonald was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
. Hakan Loob
also ended his NHL career as a champion; he had announced during the season that he intended to return to his home in Sweden at the end of the year.
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Calgary. Statistics reflect time with the Flames only.
‡Traded mid-season
had the best season of his NHL career, recording personal bests in goals (51), assists (59) and points (110), and led all players in the playoffs with 16 goals. As a result, Mullen won numerous post-season awards. He won the Emery Edge Award for leading the league in plus-minus at +51, and captured the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
as the league's most gentlemanly player, earning only 16 penalties in minutes during the regular season. The Flames named him their winner of the Molson Cup
for having the most three star
selections on the team during the season, and he was named to the First All-Star Team
at centre by the league. Mike Vernon was named to the Second All-Star Team at goal, and Al MacInnis
on defence. In addition to winning the Conn Smythe Trophy
as the most valuable player of the playoffs, MacInnis was named a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy
as the league's top defenceman for the first time. Vernon was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy
as the league's top goaltender.
Eight members of the team have subsequently gained induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame
. Five players – Lanny McDonald (1991), Joe Mullen (2000), Al MacInnis (2007), Joe Nieuwendyk (2011) and Doug Gilmour (2011) – were joined by General Manager Cliff Fletcher
(2004) and two owners: Harley Hotchkiss
(2006) and Doc Seaman (2011).
made two trades in the days leading to the start of training camp. Mike Bullard, who scored 103 points for the Flames the season previous, feared that the team was set to trade him, but admitted that he was still shocked when Calgary sent him to the St. Louis Blues
along with Craig Coxe
and a prospect on September 5, 1988. In return, the Flames received four players led by Doug Gilmour
and Mark Hunter. The Flames then sent oft-injured defenceman Paul Ranheim
to the Vancouver Canucks
with Steve Bozek
in exchange for a draft pick the following day. Calgary made the second deal to alleviate a glut of veteran players and to give young defencemen Brian Glynn
and Dana Murzyn
greater responsibility.
The Flames made one deal at the trade deadline, sending Shane Churla
and Perry Berezan
to the Minnesota North Stars
for rugged winger Brian MacLellan
and a draft pick. Calgary made the deal anticipating that MacLellan's size would help the team compete with some of their larger opponents within the Smythe Division, and benefit the Flames' power play.
with the 21st overall pick by virtue of finishing with the best record in the NHL the year previous. They hoped to make a trade to acquire a pick in the top ten as the team coveted Martin Gelinas
and Teemu Selanne
. When Los Angeles selected Gelinas seventh overall, the Flames tried to pry the eighth pick from Chicago, but balked at the Blackhawks' demands. Chicago wanted Perry Berezan
, another roster player and Calgary's first round selection in return. The Flames retained their original pick, and selected goaltender Jason Muzzatti
as their first pick. In total, the Flames made 12 selections.
Of note for the Flames was their 12th round pick, Sergei Pryakhin
. The Soviet Ice Hockey Federation was expected to provide a list of players it would be willing to release to play in North America ahead of the draft, but that expectation failed to materialize. Several Soviet players were drafted regardless, including Pryakhin. General Manager Cliff Fletcher
noted that Pryakhin had been dropped from the Soviet national team, and figured that decision could make him eligible to join the Flames. Fletcher was able to complete negotiations with Soviet officials for the player, and Pryakhin became the first Soviet player permitted to play in the NHL, making his debut in Calgary on March 31, 1989.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
and 16th for the Flames franchise in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). They won their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...
as the NHL's top regular season club and went on to win the first Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championship in franchise history, defeating the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in the 1989 Stanley Cup Final. Al MacInnis
Al MacInnis
Allan MacInnis is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues. A first round selection of the Flames in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, he went on to become a 13-time All-Star...
won the Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
as the most valuable player of the playoffs.
The regular season saw the debut of Theoren Fleury
Theoren Fleury
Theoren Wallace "Theo" Fleury is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League , Tappara of Finland's SM-liiga, and the Belfast Giants of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League...
, who went on to become the Flames' all-time leading scorer, and Sergei Pryakhin
Sergei Pryakhin
Sergei Vasilievich Pryakhin is a retired Russian ice hockey forward.Sergei was the first Soviet member of their national hockey team that the Soviet government allowed to play in the National Hockey League. Other players had either defected or had not been member of the national team before him...
, who became the first Soviet player allowed to play in the NHL. Four players represented the Flames at the 1989 All-Star Game
40th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 40th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, home to the Edmonton Oilers, on February 7, 1989.- The return of Wayne Gretzky :...
: Gary Suter
Gary Suter
Gary Lee Suter is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He played his junior hockey for the Dubuque Fighting Saints, high school hockey at Culver Military Academy and then moved on to the University of Wisconsin–Madison...
, Joe Nieuwendyk
Joe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
, Joe Mullen
Joe Mullen
Joseph Patrick Mullen is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins from 1980–1997. He won three Stanley Cups in 1989 with Calgary, and in 1991 and 1992 with...
and Mike Vernon. Mullen received several awards following the season. He was named the winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"...
for gentlemanly conduct, won the Emery Edge Award for having the top plus-minus in the league and was named a First Team All-Star
NHL All-Star Team
The NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are...
.
Co-captain Lanny McDonald
Lanny McDonald
Lanny King McDonald is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies and Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He played over 1,100 games during a 16-year NHL career in which he scored 500 goals and over 1,000 points...
scored his 1,000th point and 500th goal late in the season. He ended his Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
career by scoring a goal in the game that clinched the Stanley Cup before announcing his retirement in the summer.
Regular season
The Flames' season began with a major trade. Mike Bullard finished the 1987–88 season second in team scoring at 103 points, but his disappointing performance during the playoffs left general manager Cliff FletcherCliff Fletcher
George Clifford Fletcher is a National Hockey League executive and is a former general manager of the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Phoenix Coyotes . He is currently a Senior Advisor to the Toronto Maple Leafs...
desiring a trade. Late in the summer, he dealt Bullard, and two players to the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
for a package of four players that was led by Doug Gilmour
Doug Gilmour
Douglas Robert Gilmour is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is the current general manager of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League . During his National Hockey League career, Gilmour played for 7 NHL clubs: the St...
, who had scored 105 points two years previous.
Coach Terry Crisp favoured a defensively responsible system, and as a result, the Flames had given up the fewest goals in the league after two months while goaltenders Mike Vernon and Rick Wamsley
Rick Wamsley
Richard James Wamsley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs...
were first and third in the league respectively in goals against average
Goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
. The team maintained its defensive focus throughout the season, allowing 79 fewer goals – just under one per game less – than in 1987–88, surrendering a franchise record low total of 226.
Fletcher proclaimed in December that this Flames team was the best he had ever built. Calgary lost just four of its first 28 games, and on December 8 set a franchise record with its 13th consecutive game without a loss in a 5–3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. The team also went unbeaten in its first 17 home games, compiling a 14–0–3
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
record in that time that featured victories of 11–4 over the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, 6–1 over the St. Louis Blues and 9–0 over the Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
.
Though the Flames were established as the Smythe Division
Smythe Division
The NHL's Smythe Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Conn Smythe. It is the fore-runner of the NHL's Northwest Division and NHL's Pacific Division....
leaders, the team struggled around the Christmas break. After winning only one of five games towards the end of December, the team recalled two players from their minor league affiliate, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
The Salt Lake Golden Eagles were a minor professional hockey team based in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1969 to 1994.They played in the Western Hockey League from 1969 to 1974, the Central Hockey League from 1974 to 1984 and the International Hockey League from 1984 to 1994...
. Paul Ranheim
Paul Ranheim
Paul Stephen Ranheim is a retired American professional ice hockey forward.-Playing career:Born in Missouri but raised in Minnesota, Ranheim went to high school in Edina, Minnesota, where he was the captain of his high school hockey team. Known for his speed and penalty killing ability, he played...
was brought up on December 27, but played only five games in Calgary. Theoren Fleury
Theoren Fleury
Theoren Wallace "Theo" Fleury is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League , Tappara of Finland's SM-liiga, and the Belfast Giants of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League...
was brought up on January 1. He was leading the International Hockey League in scoring with 74 points in 40 games at the time of his recall, and immediately became a fan favourite in Calgary for his aggressive style despite his small, 5' 6" stature. Fleury scored three assists in his second career game, and his first two goals in his third, a 7–2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
Four players were chosen to represent the Flames at the 40th National Hockey League All-Star Game
40th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 40th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, home to the Edmonton Oilers, on February 7, 1989.- The return of Wayne Gretzky :...
in Edmonton. Mike Vernon was the winning goaltender in the Campbell Conference's 9–5 victory while forwards Joe Mullen
Joe Mullen
Joseph Patrick Mullen is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins from 1980–1997. He won three Stanley Cups in 1989 with Calgary, and in 1991 and 1992 with...
and Joe Nieuwendyk
Joe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
, and defenceman Gary Suter
Gary Suter
Gary Lee Suter is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He played his junior hockey for the Dubuque Fighting Saints, high school hockey at Culver Military Academy and then moved on to the University of Wisconsin–Madison...
also played in the game.
Co-captain Lanny McDonald
Lanny McDonald
Lanny King McDonald is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies and Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He played over 1,100 games during a 16-year NHL career in which he scored 500 goals and over 1,000 points...
, a veteran of 16 NHL seasons, reached two of the league's most important milestones late in the season. He scored a goal against Bob Essensa
Bob Essensa
Robert Earle Essensa is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender who spent 12 seasons in the National Hockey League...
of the Winnipeg Jets on March 7 to score the 1,000th point of his NHL career. Two weeks later, on March 21, McDonald scored his 500th goal against Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He moved to Kitimat, British Columbia, where he started minor hockey, when he was ten years old...
in a 4–1 victory over the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in Calgary.
On the same night that McDonald scored his 500th, Joe Nieuwendyk
Joe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
scored his 50th goal of the season, becoming the third player in NHL history after Mike Bossy
Mike Bossy
Michael Dean Bossy is a former Canadian ice hockey player who played for the New York Islanders for his entire career and was part of their four-year reign as Stanley Cup champions in the early 1980s...
and Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
to reach the 50-goal mark in his first two seasons. Nieuwendyk scored his 100th career goal in just his 144th game. He reached the milestone in the third fewest games in league history, behind Mike Bossy (129 games) and Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard
Joseph Henri Maurice "the Rocket" Richard, Sr., was a French-Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League from 1942 to 1960. The "Rocket" was the most prolific goal-scorer of his era, the first to achieve the feat of 50 goals in 50...
(134 games).
Joe Mullen also topped 50 goals for the Flames. He finished seventh in league scoring with 110 points, and broke Jimmy Carson
Jimmy Carson
James Charles Carson is a retired American professional hockey player. He is best known for his 10 year NHL career, spent with several teams. After retiring from professional hockey, he embarked on a new career as a financial advisor....
's NHL record for most points in a season by an American-born player.
The Flames made NHL history when they successfully completed a deal with the Soviet Ice Hockey Federation that allowed 25-year-old forward Sergei Pryakhin
Sergei Pryakhin
Sergei Vasilievich Pryakhin is a retired Russian ice hockey forward.Sergei was the first Soviet member of their national hockey team that the Soviet government allowed to play in the National Hockey League. Other players had either defected or had not been member of the national team before him...
to become the first Soviet player permitted by his native federation to play in the NHL. Pryakhin made his debut on March 31 in a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Flames finished the season with 54 wins, a franchise record, and became the fifth team in NHL history to win 50 games in a season after the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
, Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
, Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and Edmonton Oilers. Calgary was nearly unbeatable on home ice, winning 34 of 40 games, and losing just four. They won their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...
as the top regular season team in the NHL.
Game log
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Legend: |
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Playoffs
Though they finished 43 points behind the Flames in the regular season, the Vancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
proved a significant challenge in the Smythe Division
Smythe Division
The NHL's Smythe Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Conn Smythe. It is the fore-runner of the NHL's Northwest Division and NHL's Pacific Division....
semifinal. Calgary produced an uninspired effort in the opening game that resulted in a 4–3 loss as former Flame Paul Reinhart
Paul Reinhart
Paul Gerard Reinhart is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL.Reinhart was drafted 12th overall by the Atlanta Flames in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft...
scored the winner for Vancouver in overtime
Overtime (ice hockey)
Overtime is a method of determining the winner and loser of an ice hockey match when the scores are tied after regulation. The two main methods are the overtime period and the shootout.-Overtime periods:...
. The Flames rebounded with 5–2 and 4–0 victories, but the Canucks continued to battle. Vancouver won the fourth game and after losing the fifth, staved off elimination with a 6–3 victory in game six, setting up a seventh and deciding game.
The seventh game went to overtime, tied 3–3, and the extra period was dominated by fast offensive rushes as both teams sought to end the series. Both goaltenders were forced to make spectacular saves, highlighted by Mike Vernon's glove save to stop Vancouver's Stan Smyl
Stan Smyl
Stanley Philip Smyl is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger. As a junior, he appeared in three consecutive Memorial Cups with the New Westminster Bruins, winning the championship twice in 1977 and 1978...
on a breakaway
Breakaway (ice hockey)
A breakaway is a situation in ice hockey in which a player with the puck has no defending players, except for the goaltender, between himself and the opposing goal, leaving him free to skate in and shoot at will . A breakaway is considered a lapse on the part of the defending team...
. That save was a defining moment of Vernon's career, and has since been called "the save that won the Cup". With less than a minute remaining in the first overtime period, Jim Peplinski
Jim Peplinski
James Desmond Peplinski is a retired Canadian National Hockey League player.He played junior hockey for the Toronto Marlboroughs of the OHL and was drafted in 1978 NHL Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames. Peplinski was one of five active NHL players who played on Canada's 1988 Olympic ice hockey...
fired a wide-angle shot towards the Vancouver goal that deflected off Joel Otto
Joel Otto
Joel Stuart Otto is an American former professional ice hockey center and current assistant coach of the Calgary Hitmen of the major junior Western Hockey League...
's skate and into the net, winning the game and series for the Flames.
Calgary faced Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
and the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the Smythe Division final. The Flames won the series in four straight, holding the highest scoring team in the league to 11 goals for the series. The Smythe final was most remembered for a controversial goal the Flames scored in the second game at Calgary. Vernon was knocked down in his crease by the Kings' Bernie Nicholls
Bernie Nicholls
Bernard Irvine Nicholls is a former professional ice hockey centre. His junior career was spent with the Kingston Canadians, where he established himself as a dynamic scorer and a multi-faceted talent. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, 73rd...
, and believing the goaltender was injured, Flames' trainer Bearcat Murray
Bearcat Murray
Jim "Bearcat" Murray is a former athletic trainer for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame by the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society and the Society of Professional Hockey Equipment Managers.-Early life:Murray was born in...
jumped onto the ice to tend to the fallen player as the Flames rushed the puck into the Los Angeles zone. Al MacInnis
Al MacInnis
Allan MacInnis is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues. A first round selection of the Flames in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, he went on to become a 13-time All-Star...
scored on the play as the Kings vehemently protested the goal should have been disallowed because Murray was on the ice. The goal stood and ended up the winning goal in an 8–3 victory.
The Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
were the Flames' opponents in the Campbell Conference final. The Flames won the series with relative ease, dropping only a 4–2 decision in the second game en route to a five-game series victory. Calgary won their second Clarence S. Campbell Bowl
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl
The Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, or simply the Campbell Bowl, is a National Hockey League trophy awarded to the Western Conference playoff champions. It is named after Clarence S. Campbell, who served as President of the NHL from to . The trophy itself is constructed of sterling silver, crafted in...
in franchise history as conference champions, and advanced to the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championship to face the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in a rematch of the 1986 final.
The final opened in Calgary where the Flames emerged with a 3–2 win on the strength of two Al MacInnis goals before Montreal evened the series with a 4–2 victory in game two. The third game, in Montreal, went to overtime with the score tied 3–3. Late in the second extra period, Calgary's Mark Hunter was penalized for boarding, allowing Montreal to win the game at 38:08 of overtime. The penalty call was controversial, and members of the press spent the following days arguing the legitimacy of the call.
The Flames entered the pivotal fourth game believing it was key to maintaining their chances of winning the title. Colin Patterson referred to it as being a "do-or-you're-gonna-die game". Calgary emerged with a 4–2 victory to even the series at two wins apiece heading back home for game five. The Flames rushed out to a 3–1 first period lead in the fifth game, and though Montreal scored in the second period to close within one goal, Vernon prevented Montreal from tying the game, and the Flames took a 3–2 series lead.
For the sixth game, coach Terry Crisp added 36-year-old Lanny McDonald to the lineup after sitting him out the previous three games. The veteran forward was the sentimental favourite to win the Cup, and Crisp wanted to give him the opportunity to win the title on the ice. The move paid dividends as after serving a penalty in the second period, McDonald stepped out of the penalty box and joined the rush where he took a pass from Joe Nieuwendyk
Joe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
and shot it over Montreal goaltender Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy
Patrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...
to give the Flames a 2–1 lead. Doug Gilmour
Doug Gilmour
Douglas Robert Gilmour is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is the current general manager of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League . During his National Hockey League career, Gilmour played for 7 NHL clubs: the St...
added two third period goals, including the eventual winner, as the Flames won the Stanley Cup by a 4–2 score. In doing so, they became the only team to ever defeat the Canadiens on Montreal Forum
Montreal Forum
The Montreal Forum was an indoor arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by Sporting News, it was home of the National Hockey League's Montreal Maroons from 1924 to 1938 and the Montreal Canadiens from 1926 to 1996...
ice to win the championship.
Al MacInnis was named the Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
winner as the most valuable player of the playoffs, and with 31 points became the first defenceman to lead the league in post-season scoring. He finished with a 17-game scoring streak, the longest by a defenceman in NHL history.
Lanny McDonald announced his retirement on August 28, 1989, ending his career with the Stanley Cup championship. The Flames named him their Vice President in charge of corporate and community affairs. Three years later, McDonald was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
. Hakan Loob
Håkan Loob
Per Håkan Loob is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player who is currently the president of hockey operations of Färjestads BK in the Swedish Elitserien, for whom he played much of his playing career....
also ended his NHL career as a champion; he had announced during the season that he intended to return to his home in Sweden at the end of the year.
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Legend: |
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Skaters
| Regular season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ss="wikitable sortable" width="100%"> | |||||
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 79 | 51 | 59 | 110 | 16 | |
| 79 | 27 | 58 | 85 | 44 | |
| 72 | 26 | 59 | 85 | 44 | |
| 77 | 51 | 31 | 82 | 40 | |
| 79 | 16 | 58 | 74 | 126 | |
| 63 | 13 | 48 | 62 | 78 | |
| 70 | 22 | 32 | 54 | 26 | |
| 72 | 23 | 30 | 53 | 213 | |
| 71 | 22 | 16 | 38 | 250 | |
| 74 | 14 | 24 | 38 | 241 | |
| 79 | 13 | 25 | 38 | 241 | |
| 36 | 14 | 20 | 34 | 46 | |
| 66 | 22 | 8 | 30 | 194 | |
| 72 | 8 | 19 | 27 | 76 | |
| 72 | 5 | 17 | 22 | 96 | |
| 63 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 142 | |
| 51 | 11 | 7 | 18 | 26 | |
| 68 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 156 | |
| 75 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 375 | |
| 38 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 47 | |
| 35 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 23 | |
| 12 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 | |
| 52 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 18 | |
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 26 | |
| 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | |
| 35 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Playoffs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ss="wikitable sortable" width="100%"> | |||||
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 22 | 7 | 24 | 31 | 46 | |
| 21 | 16 | 8 | 24 | 4 | |
| 22 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 20 | |
| 22 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 46 | |
| 22 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 4 | |
| 22 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 10 | |
| 22 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 24 | |
| 22 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 57 | |
| 20 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 26 | |
| 22 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 24 | |
| 22 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 30 | |
| 20 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 75 | |
| 21 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 19 | |
| 10 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 23 | |
| 14 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 29 | |
| 19 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 32 | |
| 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | |
| 19 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 20 | |
| 21 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 20 | |
| 22 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 30 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Calgary. Statistics reflect time with the Flames only.
‡Traded mid-season
Goaltenders
| Regular season | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ss="wikitable sortable" width="100%"> | ||||||||
| Player | GP | Min | W | L | OTL | GA | SO | GAA |
| 52 | 2938 | 37 | 6 | 5 | 130 | 0 | 2.65 | |
| 35 | 1927 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 95 | 2 | 2.96 |
| Playoffs | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ss="wikitable sortable" width="100%"> | |||||||
| Player | GP | Min | W | L | GA | SO | GAA |
| 22 | 1381 | 16 | 5 | 52 | 3 | 2.26 | |
| 1 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6.00 |
Awards and honours
Joe MullenJoe Mullen
Joseph Patrick Mullen is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins from 1980–1997. He won three Stanley Cups in 1989 with Calgary, and in 1991 and 1992 with...
had the best season of his NHL career, recording personal bests in goals (51), assists (59) and points (110), and led all players in the playoffs with 16 goals. As a result, Mullen won numerous post-season awards. He won the Emery Edge Award for leading the league in plus-minus at +51, and captured the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"...
as the league's most gentlemanly player, earning only 16 penalties in minutes during the regular season. The Flames named him their winner of the Molson Cup
Molson Cup
The Molson Cup is an award presented to a distinguished player on Canadian ice hockey teams. After each game, the "three game stars" are selected, usually by a member of the media. At the end of the season, the player with the most three-star honours is presented with the Molson Cup...
for having the most three star
Three stars (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, the three stars of a match are the three best players as chosen by a third party, with the first star considered the best of the three players, akin to the man of the match in other sports. Usually, the top point scorers or outstanding goaltenders are designated the three stars, but...
selections on the team during the season, and he was named to the First All-Star Team
NHL All-Star Team
The NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are...
at centre by the league. Mike Vernon was named to the Second All-Star Team at goal, and Al MacInnis
Al MacInnis
Allan MacInnis is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues. A first round selection of the Flames in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, he went on to become a 13-time All-Star...
on defence. In addition to winning the Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
as the most valuable player of the playoffs, MacInnis was named a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy
James Norris Memorial Trophy
The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded 55 times to 23 different players since its beginnings in...
as the league's top defenceman for the first time. Vernon was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy
Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
as the league's top goaltender.
Eight members of the team have subsequently gained induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
. Five players – Lanny McDonald (1991), Joe Mullen (2000), Al MacInnis (2007), Joe Nieuwendyk (2011) and Doug Gilmour (2011) – were joined by General Manager Cliff Fletcher
Cliff Fletcher
George Clifford Fletcher is a National Hockey League executive and is a former general manager of the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Phoenix Coyotes . He is currently a Senior Advisor to the Toronto Maple Leafs...
(2004) and two owners: Harley Hotchkiss
Harley Hotchkiss
Harley Norman Hotchkiss, was a Canadian business and community leader who was best known for his contributions to health and sports development in Canada. He was one of the original owners that brought the National Hockey League's Atlanta Flames to Calgary in 1980 and remained a team owner until...
(2006) and Doc Seaman (2011).
| Player | Award | |
| League awards | ||
| Al MacInnis Al MacInnis Allan MacInnis is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues. A first round selection of the Flames in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, he went on to become a 13-time All-Star... |
Conn Smythe Trophy Conn Smythe Trophy The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season... |
|
| Joe Mullen Joe Mullen Joseph Patrick Mullen is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins from 1980–1997. He won three Stanley Cups in 1989 with Calgary, and in 1991 and 1992 with... |
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Lady Byng Memorial Trophy The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"... |
|
| Joe Mullen | Emery Edge Award | |
| Joe Mullen | First Team All-Star NHL All-Star Team The NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are... |
|
| Al MacInnis | Second Team All-Star | |
| Mike Vernon | Second Team All-Star | |
| Team awards | ||
| Joe Mullen Joe Mullen Joseph Patrick Mullen is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins from 1980–1997. He won three Stanley Cups in 1989 with Calgary, and in 1991 and 1992 with... |
Molson Cup Molson Cup The Molson Cup is an award presented to a distinguished player on Canadian ice hockey teams. After each game, the "three game stars" are selected, usually by a member of the media. At the end of the season, the player with the most three-star honours is presented with the Molson Cup... |
|
| Lanny McDonald Lanny McDonald Lanny King McDonald is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies and Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He played over 1,100 games during a 16-year NHL career in which he scored 500 goals and over 1,000 points... |
Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award | |
Transactions
General Manager Cliff FletcherCliff Fletcher
George Clifford Fletcher is a National Hockey League executive and is a former general manager of the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Phoenix Coyotes . He is currently a Senior Advisor to the Toronto Maple Leafs...
made two trades in the days leading to the start of training camp. Mike Bullard, who scored 103 points for the Flames the season previous, feared that the team was set to trade him, but admitted that he was still shocked when Calgary sent him to the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
along with Craig Coxe
Craig Coxe
Craig R. Coxe is a retired professional ice hockey player. In addition to playing in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, and the San Jose Sharks...
and a prospect on September 5, 1988. In return, the Flames received four players led by Doug Gilmour
Doug Gilmour
Douglas Robert Gilmour is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is the current general manager of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League . During his National Hockey League career, Gilmour played for 7 NHL clubs: the St...
and Mark Hunter. The Flames then sent oft-injured defenceman Paul Ranheim
Paul Ranheim
Paul Stephen Ranheim is a retired American professional ice hockey forward.-Playing career:Born in Missouri but raised in Minnesota, Ranheim went to high school in Edina, Minnesota, where he was the captain of his high school hockey team. Known for his speed and penalty killing ability, he played...
to the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
with Steve Bozek
Steve Bozek
Steven Michael Bozek is a retired professional ice hockey left wing who spent 11 seasons in the NHL with four clubs...
in exchange for a draft pick the following day. Calgary made the second deal to alleviate a glut of veteran players and to give young defencemen Brian Glynn
Brian Glynn
Brian Thomas Glynn is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played six seasons in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and Dana Murzyn
Dana Murzyn
Dana Trevor Murzyn is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. Drafted out of the Western Hockey League , he was selected fifth overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. He began his NHL career in 1985–86 with the Whalers and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...
greater responsibility.
The Flames made one deal at the trade deadline, sending Shane Churla
Shane Churla
Shane Churla is a former Canadian ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the sixth round, 110th overall, by the Hartford Whalers in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft...
and Perry Berezan
Perry Berezan
Perry Edmund Berezan is a former National Hockey League centre. He was drafted in the third round, 55th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft....
to the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
for rugged winger Brian MacLellan
Brian MacLellan
Brian John MacLellan is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.After playing his college hockey at Bowling Green State University, MacLellan signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings in 1982...
and a draft pick. Calgary made the deal anticipating that MacLellan's size would help the team compete with some of their larger opponents within the Smythe Division, and benefit the Flames' power play.
Trades
| September 5, 1988 | To Calgary Flames Doug Gilmour Doug Gilmour Douglas Robert Gilmour is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is the current general manager of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League . During his National Hockey League career, Gilmour played for 7 NHL clubs: the St... Mark Hunter Steve Bozek Steve Bozek Steven Michael Bozek is a retired professional ice hockey left wing who spent 11 seasons in the NHL with four clubs... Mike Dark |
To St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade... Mike Bullard Craig Coxe Craig Coxe Craig R. Coxe is a retired professional ice hockey player. In addition to playing in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, and the San Jose Sharks... Tim Corkery |
| September 6, 1988 | To Calgary Flames 3rd round pick in 1989 1989 NHL Entry Draft The 1989 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 17 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Some believe that the Detroit Red Wings' 1989 draft was the most successful ever, with 5,721 total NHL games played by the players selected.-Selections by round:... (Veli-Pekka Kautonen) |
To Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... Paul Reinhart Paul Reinhart Paul Gerard Reinhart is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL.Reinhart was drafted 12th overall by the Atlanta Flames in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft... Steve Bozek Steve Bozek Steven Michael Bozek is a retired professional ice hockey left wing who spent 11 seasons in the NHL with four clubs... |
| January 6, 1989 | To Calgary Flames Steve Guenette Steve Guenette Steven Guenette is a retired former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 35 games in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames.-Playing career:... |
To Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... 6th round pick in 1989 1989 NHL Entry Draft The 1989 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 17 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Some believe that the Detroit Red Wings' 1989 draft was the most successful ever, with 5,721 total NHL games played by the players selected.-Selections by round:... (Mike Needham Mike Needham Michael Lawrence Needham is a former professional ice hockey player in the NHL.-Awards and achievements:*1990 - played in Memorial Cup *1990 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships gold medal... ) |
| March 4, 1989 | To Calgary Flames Brian MacLellan Brian MacLellan Brian John MacLellan is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.After playing his college hockey at Bowling Green State University, MacLellan signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings in 1982... 4th round pick in 1989 1989 NHL Entry Draft The 1989 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 17 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Some believe that the Detroit Red Wings' 1989 draft was the most successful ever, with 5,721 total NHL games played by the players selected.-Selections by round:... (Robert Reichel Robert Reichel Robert Reichel is a former professional ice hockey centre and was a head coach of HC Litvínov of the Czech Extraliga until he resigned on January 22, 2011. He played in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs. Reichel was... ) |
To Minnesota North Stars Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white... Perry Berezan Perry Berezan Perry Edmund Berezan is a former National Hockey League centre. He was drafted in the third round, 55th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft.... Shane Churla Shane Churla Shane Churla is a former Canadian ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the sixth round, 110th overall, by the Hartford Whalers in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft... |
Subtractions
| Subtractions | ||
| Player | New team | Via |
| John Tonelli John Tonelli John A. Tonelli is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the New York Islanders, and also played with the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Quebec Nordiques of the National Hockey League.-Bio:In 1982 and 1985,... |
Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
Free agency |
| Bob Bodak Bob Bodak Robert Peter Bodak is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames and Hartford Whalers. A career minor-leaguer, Bodak played only three games with the Flames in 1987–88 and one more with the Whalers in 1989–90... |
Hartford Whalers Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97... |
Free agency |
Draft picks
The Flames entered the 1988 NHL Entry Draft1988 NHL Entry Draft
The 1988 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Forum in Montreal, Quebec.-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft...
with the 21st overall pick by virtue of finishing with the best record in the NHL the year previous. They hoped to make a trade to acquire a pick in the top ten as the team coveted Martin Gelinas
Martin Gelinas
Martin Gélinas is a former professional ice hockey forward and the current director of player development with the Nashville Predators.-Playing career:Gelinas made a splash in 1987–88 with the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL with a 63-goal, 131-point campaign...
and Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selänne
Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . An offensive player known for his skill and speed, Selanne has led the NHL in goal-scoring three times and has been named to...
. When Los Angeles selected Gelinas seventh overall, the Flames tried to pry the eighth pick from Chicago, but balked at the Blackhawks' demands. Chicago wanted Perry Berezan
Perry Berezan
Perry Edmund Berezan is a former National Hockey League centre. He was drafted in the third round, 55th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft....
, another roster player and Calgary's first round selection in return. The Flames retained their original pick, and selected goaltender Jason Muzzatti
Jason Muzzatti
Jason Mark Muzzatti is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender and now head coach of Flint Generals.-Playing career:...
as their first pick. In total, the Flames made 12 selections.
Of note for the Flames was their 12th round pick, Sergei Pryakhin
Sergei Pryakhin
Sergei Vasilievich Pryakhin is a retired Russian ice hockey forward.Sergei was the first Soviet member of their national hockey team that the Soviet government allowed to play in the National Hockey League. Other players had either defected or had not been member of the national team before him...
. The Soviet Ice Hockey Federation was expected to provide a list of players it would be willing to release to play in North America ahead of the draft, but that expectation failed to materialize. Several Soviet players were drafted regardless, including Pryakhin. General Manager Cliff Fletcher
Cliff Fletcher
George Clifford Fletcher is a National Hockey League executive and is a former general manager of the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Phoenix Coyotes . He is currently a Senior Advisor to the Toronto Maple Leafs...
noted that Pryakhin had been dropped from the Soviet national team, and figured that decision could make him eligible to join the Flames. Fletcher was able to complete negotiations with Soviet officials for the player, and Pryakhin became the first Soviet player permitted to play in the NHL, making his debut in Calgary on March 31, 1989.
| Rnd | Pick | Player | Nationality | Position | Team (league) | NHL statistics | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||||||
| 1 | 21 | Jason Muzzatti Jason Muzzatti Jason Mark Muzzatti is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender and now head coach of Flint Generals.-Playing career:... |
G Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring... |
Michigan State Michigan State University Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,... (CCHA Central Collegiate Hockey Association The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship... ) |
62 | 13–25–10, 3.32GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
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| 2 | 42 | Todd Harkins Todd Harkins Todd Michael Harkins is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 48 National Hockey League games for the Calgary Flames and Hartford Whalers. Harkins was drafted by the Flames in the 2nd round, 42nd overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft... |
C Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player... |
Miami University Miami University Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S... (CCHA) |
48 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 78 | |
| 4 | 84 | Gary Socha | C | Tabor Academy | ||||||
| 5 | 85 | Tomas Forslund Tomas Forslund Tomas Forslund is a Swedish former professional ice hockey right wing. Forslund began his hockey career with Leksands IF in his native Sweden. He was drafted 85th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft and after three more seasons in Sweden, he signed for the Flames in 1991... |
RW Winger (ice hockey) Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink... |
Leksands IF Leksands IF Leksands Idrottsförening is a Swedish ice hockey team from the town of Leksand in the region of Dalarna. The team is currently playing in the second highest league in Sweden, HockeyAllsvenskan. Leksand has played 53 seasons in the top Swedish league – between 1951 to 2001, 2002 to 2004, and 2005–06... (SEL Elitserien Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden... ) |
44 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 12 | |
| 5 | 90 | Scott Matusovich | D | Canterbury High School | ||||||
| 6 | 126 | Jonas Bergqvist | RW | Leksands IF (SEL) | 22 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 10 | |
| 7 | 147 | Stefan Nilsson | LW | HV71 HV71 HV71, often referred to as just HV, is a Swedish professional ice hockey club based in Jönköping, playing in the Swedish elite league Elitserien... (SEL) |
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| 8 | 168 | Troy Kennedy | LW | Brandon Wheat Kings Brandon Wheat Kings The Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. They compete in the Western Hockey League, and joined the league in the 1967–68 season. Prior to that they played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and were known as the Brandon Elks for a short time in the... (WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... ) |
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| 9 | 189 | Brett Petersen | D | St. Paul Vulcans St. Paul Vulcans The St. Paul Vulcans are a defunct Junior A ice hockey franchise that was based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The franchise was a charter member of the United States Hockey League that started play with the 1979-80 season. The franchise was renamed the Twin Cities Vulcans for the start 1995 and... (USHL United States Hockey League The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger... ) |
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| 10 | 210 | Guy Darveau | D | Victoriaville Tigres Victoriaville Tigres The Victoriaville Tigres are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team is based out of Victoriaville, Quebec. The team plays its home games at the Colisée Desjardins.-History:... (QMJHL Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League... ) |
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| 11 | 231 | Dave Tretowicz | D | Clarkson University Clarkson University -The Clarkson School:The Clarkson School, a special division of Clarkson University, was founded in 1978 as a unique educational opportunity. The School offers students an early entrance opportunity into college, replacing the typical senior year of high school with a year of college... (ECAC Eastern College Athletic Conference The Eastern College Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference comprising schools that compete in 21 sports . It has 317 member institutions in NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, ranging in location from Maine to North Carolina and west to Illinois... ) |
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| 12 | 252 | Sergei Pryakhin Sergei Pryakhin Sergei Vasilievich Pryakhin is a retired Russian ice hockey forward.Sergei was the first Soviet member of their national hockey team that the Soviet government allowed to play in the National Hockey League. Other players had either defected or had not been member of the national team before him... |
RW | Krylja Sovetov PHC Krylya Sovetov PHC Krylya Sovetov or PHC Krylya Sovietov are a professional ice hockey team based in Moscow, Russia. They played in the Russian Major League in the 2009–10 season... (RSL) |
46 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 2 | |
| S NHL Supplemental Draft The NHL Supplemental Draft was a draft that was established by the National Hockey League as an offshoot of the NHL Entry Draft between 1986 and 1994. The Supplemental Draft was used by teams to select collegiate ice hockey players who were not eligible for the standard Entry Draft... |
26 | Jerry Tarrant | D | University of Vermont Vermont Catamounts men's ice hockey The Vermont Catamounts men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of Vermont. The Catamounts are a member of Hockey East. They play at the Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington, Vermont... (ECAC) |
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