2009–10 Calgary Flames season
Encyclopedia
The 2009–10 Calgary Flames season was the 30th
season
for the Calgary Flames
, and the 38th for the Flames franchise in the National Hockey League
(NHL). The Flames entered the season with a new head coach as Brent Sutter
replaced Mike Keenan
. The year opened with the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
on June 26–27, as the Flames selected defenceman Tim Erixon
with their first selection. 2009 also marked the debut of the Flames' new American Hockey League
affiliate, the Abbotsford Heat
, as the franchise has relocated from the Quad Cities
to the British Columbia city.
While the Flames led the Northwest Division
early in the season, an extended slump left them in the eighth and final playoff position by the Olympic break. As a result, General Manager Darryl Sutter
completed several trades in a bid to improve the team's fortunes. Dion Phaneuf
was one of seven roster players sent to other teams between January 31 and the March 3 trade deadline. The 2010 Winter Olympic tournament
interrupted the season during February. Jarome Iginla
won his second Olympic gold medal with Team Canada, while Miikka Kiprusoff
and Niklas Hagman
won bronze medals with the Finnish team. Iginla and Daymond Langkow
each played their 1,000th games in February.
The Flames continued to struggle after the Olympic break; they finished the season in tenth place in the West and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003. The result was disappointing for the organization, and led to media and fan speculation regarding the futures of Sutter and Iginla in Calgary.
The Flames entered the 2009–10 campaign with a new head coach after Brent Sutter
was named the 18th coach in franchise history. His assistants were promoted from within the organization: former Quad City Flames
coach Ryan McGill
and Calgary Hitmen
coach Dave Lowry
joined Sutter's staff along with former player Jamie McLennan
, who became the team's new goaltender coach. Sutter had spent the previous two seasons as the coach of the New Jersey Devils
, but resigned the position over a desire to return closer to his home in Red Deer, Alberta
. He joined his brother Darryl
, who remained the Flames' general manager.
Preceding the release of the season schedule, rampant speculation that the Flames were in negotiations to host a second outdoor game for the 2010 NHL Winter Classic
were confirmed. The additional game, suggested by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
, would have taken place at McMahon Stadium
, though negotiations were not successful and the league scheduled only one outdoor game for New Year's Day.
Training camp had been dominated by the comeback attempt of Theoren Fleury
at the age of 41. Fleury had last played in the NHL in 2003 as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks
before his career was halted by drug and alcohol addictions. Fleury, who had been under NHL suspension over his addictions since he last played was reinstated by the league prior to the opening of camp, and subsequently signed a tryout offer. He appeared in the Flames second pre-season game, against the New York Islanders
, drawing a loud ovation from the fans. He scored the only shootout
goal to lead the Flames to a 5–4 victory before acknowledging the Saddledome crowd as it chanted "Theo! Theo! Theo!"
Fleury played four exhibition games, scoring four points, before being released by the Flames. General Manager Darryl Sutter
expressed his pride in Fleury's attempt and commended his effort, but decided he was not one of the top six wingers in camp, which Sutter and Fleury had agreed was a condition of the tryout continuing. On September 28, 2009, Fleury announced his retirement. He thanked the Flames for allowing him to attempt the comeback, and expressed satisfaction at how his career ended.
The game against the Islanders also featured a devastating open-ice hit by Dion Phaneuf
on New York's Kyle Okposo
that saw the young forward taken off on a stretcher and sent to hospital with a concussion. The hit led Pascal Morency
to leave his team's bench to engage Phaneuf as a melee broke out in the aftermath of the check. The league reviewed the incident and suspended Morency ten games for leaving the bench.
for top spot in the Northwest Division
. The two teams met to open the season, a 5–3 victory for Calgary. It was the first time Calgary won a season opening game in seven years, and only the second since 1993. The Flames won their next three, including two against their arch-rivals
, the Edmonton Oilers
to open the season at 4–0 for the first time since 1993–94
. Following a loss to the Dallas Stars
, the Flames faced the Chicago Blackhawks
, and after scoring five goals in just five minutes, 29 seconds in the first period, went on to give up six consecutive goals to lose the game 6–5 in overtime. The six-goal outburst by Chicago tied an NHL record for the largest comeback in league history. Despite a 4–1–1 start to the season, the loss prompted coach Sutter to question the players' mental toughness. Although they felt they were not playing up to their expectations, the Flames tied a franchise record for the best start to the season, going 7–2–1 after ten games.
The Flames were embroiled in a national controversy in early November after it was revealed the team had secured a private clinic from Alberta Health Services
(AHS) to have all players and their families inoculated against the H1N1 flu pandemic
at the same time as many Albertans were growing increasingly frustrated with how the province was running public clinics. The controversy polarized the public and the media, even within individual newspapers. The Calgary Sun
's Michael Platt accused the "millionaire hockey players" of taking vaccinations from "shivering children", while Eric Francis defended the club by pointing to the millions of dollars and hundreds of hours of volunteer time the team gives to the medical community. The Flames defended their actions, stating they completed an agreement with AHS prior to the Alberta government's controversial clinics opening and arguing that they did so at a time when the government was encouraging all Albertans to get the vaccinations. AHS responded to the controversy by firing two people, including the most senior staff member involved in permitting the private clinic to go ahead.
Coincidentally, goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff
was sidelined by what was suspected to be the flu on the same night the controversy broke. Backup Curtis McElhinney
was a surprise starter against the Dallas Stars, and responded with a 38 save performance in a 3–2 overtime victory. The victory ended a two-game losing streak that again led Sutter to criticize the efforts of his team, especially captain Jarome Iginla
, and prompted the coach to put the players through an intense practice session prior to the game in Dallas. Kiprusoff surrendered only two goals in the Flames next three games as Calgary opened November with four consecutive wins, including a 1–0 shutout
in Montreal against the Canadiens
that was his 200th win as a Flame.
In spite of losing Curtis Glencross
to a three game suspension in early November, and suffering an embarrassing 7–1 loss at home to the Blackhawks in which leading scorer Rene Bourque
suffered an undisclosed injury, the Flames continued their torrid pace through November. Calgary moved past the Colorado Avalanche
, into the division lead late in the month following a 3–0 shutout victory over the Detroit Red Wings
. Victories over the Columbus Blue Jackets
and Nashville Predators
saw the Flames finish the month of November with a 10–2–2 record and tie a franchise record for points in consecutive road games at ten. Jarome Iginla led the Flames offensively in the month, recording 13 goals and 20 points in 12 games and was named the first star of the month of November.
The Flames struggled in December, losing six of seven games during one stretch in the middle of the month that was punctuated with a 5–1 loss on home ice to the Canucks that the players described as embarrassing and which briefly dropped the Flames to eighth place in the Western Conference
. The loss to Vancouver also began the busiest part of the schedule for the Flames, who ended 2009 in the middle of a five game in seven night stretch and nine games in two weeks. The Flames entered the new year on a three-game winning streak that included two more victories over the Oilers, and were looking forward to putting their disappointing month of December behind them.
Rosters for the 2010 Winter Olympics
were announced in December. Olli Jokinen
joined Kiprusoff in being named to the Finnish team, while Jarome Iginla was named an alternate captain for Team Canada. Dion Phaneuf
, Jay Bouwmeester
and Robyn Regehr
, whom all attended the summer Olympic camp, were left off the Canadian roster. Jokinen felt that the teams poor December played a role in their being left off, and expressed that the team felt they let the three defencemen down as a result. At the Olympic tournament, Iginla led the tournament with five goals, and assisted on Sidney Crosby
's overtime winning goal in the gold medal final against the United States. Kiprusoff, along with Niklas Hagman
, who was acquired from Toronto before the Games, both won bronze medals.
Two wins to begin January extended the Flames' winning streak to five games. An extended scoring slump led the team to struggle for the rest of the month, culminating in a nine-game losing streak; the longest the team has endured since an 11-game losing streak in 1985–86
. The Flames finally ended the skid with a 6–1 victory, led by Iginla's four points and Gordie Howe hat trick
, over the Oilers, who had their own losing streak extended to 13 games. In doing so, the Flames won all six games against Edmonton, the first time either team has swept the other in the 30-year history of the rivalry. The following day, on January 31, Darryl Sutter completed a seven player trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs
that saw Dion Phaneuf
sent to Toronto. Olli Jokinen
and Brandon Prust
were then sent to the New York Rangers
for Ales Kotalik
and Christopher Higgins
a day later in a trade that was first rumoured the evening before but was delayed so that Jokinen and Prust could play with the Flames against the Philadelphia Flyers
.
Three losses in four games, capped by a 5–0 defeat against the Boston Bruins
on March 27 left the Flames six points out of the eighth and final playoff spot with seven games remaining. The team also lost second-line centre Daymond Langkow
after he was taken off the ice on a stretcher in Minnesota after being struck in the back of the neck by a slapshot. However, a 5–3 road victory against the Eastern Conference
leading Washington Capitals
and a 2–1 home win against the Phoenix Coyotes
, coupled with the Colorado Avalanche losing six of their final seven games to end the month of March left the Flames two points behind the Avalanche heading into April.
with the team was called into question, while many wondered if it was time to part ways with captain Jarome Iginla, who had been with the team since 1996. For his part, Iginla accepted responsibility for the failed season, and said he did not wish to leave Calgary, wanting instead to lead the Flames into a rebound season in 2010–11
. When pressed by the media, he stated he would be willing to waive his no movement clause if the team asked him to, though Flames management dismissed speculation that they would consider dealing the team's captain.
With the Flames out of the playoffs, several players were invited to represent their national teams at the 2010 IIHF World Championship
in Germany. Rene Bourque
and Mark Giordano
played for Team Canada, while Eric Nystrom
and David Moss joined Team USA. Mikael Backlund
joined the Swedish team after the Abbotsford Heat
were eliminated from the American Hockey League
playoffs and won a bronze medal.
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Flames. Stats reflect time with the Flames only.
‡Traded mid-season
Bold/italics denotes franchise record
, selected by the Flames 114th overall at the 1984 NHL Entry Draft
, was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
in 2009. Hull Scored 741 goals during his 19 year career, the third highest total in NHL history. During the season, Iginla and Langkow reached significant career milestones on consecutive nights as they played their 1,000th career games in the NHL. Both players made their debut in the 1995–96 season and were both opponents during their Western Hockey League
careers and teammates at the 1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
. The Flames presented the pair with silver sticks at a joint ceremony to honour them for their achievement.
. They first gained an additional third round selection from the New Jersey Devils
for agreeing to swap first round picks. The Flames moved down to the 23rd overall pick and gave the Devils the 20th overall selection. Calgary followed that up by dealing a third round pick to the Florida Panthers
, along with the negotiating rights of Free agent
defenceman Jordan Leopold
in exchange for the negotiating rights of defenceman Jay Bouwmeester
. The move proved successful, as Bouwmeester agreed to a five-year contract less than a day before he would have become an unrestricted free agent.
Having already signed Bouwmeester, the Flames were relatively quiet in the first days of the free agent signing period. The team signed a quartet of players in Fredrik Sjostrom
, Garth Murray
, Riley Armstrong and Staffan Kronwall
. They lost team leading scorer Michael Cammalleri after he signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens
. Adrian Aucoin
also moved on, signing with the Phoenix Coyotes
. The team was able to retain defenceman Adam Pardy
, as he signed a two-year deal to remain in Calgary.
Darryl Sutter engineered a seven player trade at the end of January that sent Dion Phaneuf
and Fredrik Sjostrom to the Toronto Maple Leafs
in exchange for four players led by Matt Stajan
, Ian White and Niklas Hagman
. The deal ended weeks of speculation about the Calgary defenceman's future amid reports that Phaneuf had requested a trade – a claim he had denied. One day later, the Flames sent Olli Jokinen
and Brandon Prust
to the New York Rangers
in exchange for Ales Kotalik
and Christopher Higgins
. The deals resulted in the change of over one third of the roster in the period of a day, moves that were seen as a sign of panic as the Flames hovered around the final playoff spot. While rumours circulated that Phaneuf was dealt because he was a divisive influence in the locker room, Jokinen later blamed the fans in Calgary for the defenceman's departure. Jokinen admitted that he was traded because he failed to produce in Calgary, while in Kotalik, the Flames received a player who was having a similarly disappointing season in New York.
The Flames completed three trades at the March 3 deadline. They first sent backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney
to the Anaheim Ducks
in exchange for Vesa Toskala
who became Kiprusoff's backup. They then sent forward Dustin Boyd
to the Nashville Predators
in exchange for a draft pick. Despite showing potential at times, the 23-year-old Boyd had failed to live up to the expectations placed on him in Calgary. The day ended with a minor, but historic, trade that saw Aaron Johnson sent to the Edmonton Oilers
along with a draft pick, for fellow defenceman Steve Staios
. The deal marked the first time in the 30-year history of the Battle of Alberta
that the two organizations completed a trade with each other.
class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%">
Subtractions
Player
New team
Via
Mike Cammalleri
Montreal Canadiens
Free agency
Adrian Aucoin
Phoenix Coyotes
Free agency
Warren Peters
Dallas Stars
Free agency
Todd Bertuzzi
Detroit Red Wings
Free agency
Andre Roy
Free agency
Rhett Warrener
Retirement
Jamie Lundmark
Toronto Maple Leafs
Waivers
in Montreal
with the 20th overall selection but moved down three spots following a trade with New Jersey. With the 23rd overall pick, Calgary drafted Tim Erixon
, a defenceman from Sweden. Erixon, whose father Jan
also played in the NHL, considers himself a two-way defenceman, and hopes to contribute both offensively and defensively for the Flames.
franchise, the Quad City Flames
to the Fraser Valley
of British Columbia. Called as the Abbotsford Heat
, the team named former Calgary head coach Jim Playfair
their coach. After six seasons, the Flames and the Las Vegas Wranglers
of the ECHL
ended their affiliation agreement. Replacing the Wranglers, the Flames signed an agreement to place up to four players with the Utah Grizzlies
.
Playfair gained notoriety late in the season after video of his wild tantrum against referee Jamie Koharski that involved the coach smashing two sticks went viral
. Playfair was upset at what he felt was an excessive penalty given to one of his players, and came as the Heat were struggling to clinch a playoff spot. The Heat finished with a record of 39–29–5–7, good enough for third place in the North Division, despite losing over 400 man-games to injury. The Heat faced the Rochester Americans
in the first round of the playoffs, and overcame a 3–1 series deficit to defeat the Americans in seven games. In doing so, they became the first team in AHL history to win games six and seven on the road to win a series. Abbotsford was defeated in six games by the Hamilton Bulldogs
in the North Division final to end their season.
Calgary Flames seasons
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The team is a member of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Flames arrived in Calgary in 1980 after transferring from the city of Atlanta, Georgia, where they...
season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
for the Calgary Flames
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 the 38th 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). The Flames entered the season with a new head coach as Brent Sutter
Brent Sutter
Brent Colin Sutter is a retired National Hockey League player and current head coach of the Calgary Flames. Selected by the New York Islanders 17th overall at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Sutter played over 1,000 games for the Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks during his 18-year career. He won the...
replaced Mike Keenan
Mike Keenan
Michael Edward Keenan is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Calgary Flames, and former General Manager of the Florida Panthers. He is currently working as an analyst for the New York Rangers on MSG Network.Keenan was a player for the St...
. The year opened with the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
on June 26–27, as the Flames selected defenceman Tim Erixon
Tim Erixon
Tim Erixon is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was acquired in a 2011 trade with the Calgary Flames whom selected him in the first round, 23rd overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Erixon has previously played for Skellefteå...
with their first selection. 2009 also marked the debut of the Flames' new American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate, the Abbotsford Heat
Abbotsford Heat
The Abbotsford Heat are a professional ice hockey team based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The Heat began play during 2009-10 season, and are the affiliate of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames...
, as the franchise has relocated from the Quad Cities
Quad City Flames
The Quad City Flames were an ice hockey team that played between 2007 and 2009. They were owned by QC Sports Ventures Inc., an ownership group based out of the Quad Cities. The Flames played at the I wireless Center in Moline, Illinois. They were the American Hockey League farm team of the...
to the British Columbia city.
While the Flames led the Northwest Division
Northwest Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
early in the season, an extended slump left them in the eighth and final playoff position by the Olympic break. As a result, General Manager Darryl Sutter
Darryl Sutter
Darryl John Sutter is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach, and former general manager of the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League...
completed several trades in a bid to improve the team's fortunes. Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...
was one of seven roster players sent to other teams between January 31 and the March 3 trade deadline. The 2010 Winter Olympic tournament
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Canada Hockey Place, home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, and at UBC Winter Sports Centre, home of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's UBC Thunderbirds. Twelve teams competed in the men's event and eight teams competed in the...
interrupted the season during February. Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
won his second Olympic gold medal with Team Canada, while Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Sakari Kiprusoff is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fifth round, 116th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He has also played for TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga...
and Niklas Hagman
Niklas Hagman
Niklas Hagman is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He was a third round pick of the Florida Panthers, 70th overall, at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut with Florida in 2001...
won bronze medals with the Finnish team. Iginla and Daymond Langkow
Daymond Langkow
Daymond Randolph Langkow is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, fifth overall, of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft...
each played their 1,000th games in February.
The Flames continued to struggle after the Olympic break; they finished the season in tenth place in the West and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003. The result was disappointing for the organization, and led to media and fan speculation regarding the futures of Sutter and Iginla in Calgary.
Pre-season
Brent Sutter
Brent Colin Sutter is a retired National Hockey League player and current head coach of the Calgary Flames. Selected by the New York Islanders 17th overall at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Sutter played over 1,000 games for the Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks during his 18-year career. He won the...
was named the 18th coach in franchise history. His assistants were promoted from within the organization: former Quad City Flames
Quad City Flames
The Quad City Flames were an ice hockey team that played between 2007 and 2009. They were owned by QC Sports Ventures Inc., an ownership group based out of the Quad Cities. The Flames played at the I wireless Center in Moline, Illinois. They were the American Hockey League farm team of the...
coach Ryan McGill
Ryan McGill
Ryan Clifford McGill is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Edmonton Oilers. McGill's playing career ended prematurely as a result of an eye injury...
and Calgary Hitmen
Calgary Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen are a major junior ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League . They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner...
coach Dave Lowry
Dave Lowry
David John Lowry is a retired professional ice hockey player from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He played in the National Hockey League from 1985 to 2004...
joined Sutter's staff along with former player Jamie McLennan
Jamie McLennan
Jamie McLennan is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. He retired from playing in 2008 after spending a season with the Nippon Paper Cranes of Asia League Ice Hockey.-Playing career:...
, who became the team's new goaltender coach. Sutter had spent the previous two seasons as the coach of the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, but resigned the position over a desire to return closer to his home in Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills...
. He joined his brother Darryl
Darryl Sutter
Darryl John Sutter is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach, and former general manager of the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League...
, who remained the Flames' general manager.
Preceding the release of the season schedule, rampant speculation that the Flames were in negotiations to host a second outdoor game for the 2010 NHL Winter Classic
2010 NHL Winter Classic
The 2010 NHL Winter Classic, known as the 2010 NHL Winter Classic presented by Bridgestone via corporate sponsorship, was the third edition of the NHL Winter Classic, an annual outdoor ice hockey game held by the National Hockey League , played on January 1, 2010, as a regular season game at...
were confirmed. The additional game, suggested by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
, would have taken place at McMahon Stadium
McMahon Stadium
McMahon Stadium is a Canadian football stadium located in Calgary, Alberta. The stadium is owned by the University of Calgary and operated by the McMahon Stadium Society....
, though negotiations were not successful and the league scheduled only one outdoor game for New Year's Day.
Training camp had been dominated by the comeback attempt 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...
at the age of 41. Fleury had last played in the NHL in 2003 as a member of 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...
before his career was halted by drug and alcohol addictions. Fleury, who had been under NHL suspension over his addictions since he last played was reinstated by the league prior to the opening of camp, and subsequently signed a tryout offer. He appeared in the Flames second pre-season game, against 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...
, drawing a loud ovation from the fans. He scored the only shootout
Penalty shootout
The shootout is a method of determining a winner in sports matches that would have otherwise been drawn or tied. The rules for penalty shootouts vary between sports and even different competitions; however, the usual form is similar to penalty shots in that a single player takes one shot on goal...
goal to lead the Flames to a 5–4 victory before acknowledging the Saddledome crowd as it chanted "Theo! Theo! Theo!"
Fleury played four exhibition games, scoring four points, before being released by the Flames. General Manager Darryl Sutter
Darryl Sutter
Darryl John Sutter is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach, and former general manager of the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League...
expressed his pride in Fleury's attempt and commended his effort, but decided he was not one of the top six wingers in camp, which Sutter and Fleury had agreed was a condition of the tryout continuing. On September 28, 2009, Fleury announced his retirement. He thanked the Flames for allowing him to attempt the comeback, and expressed satisfaction at how his career ended.
The game against the Islanders also featured a devastating open-ice hit by Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...
on New York's Kyle Okposo
Kyle Okposo
Kyle Henry Erovre Okposo is an American professional ice hockey right winger, an alternate captain of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League...
that saw the young forward taken off on a stretcher and sent to hospital with a concussion. The hit led Pascal Morency
Pascal Morency
Pascal Morency is a Canadian professional ice hockey Forward for the KHL Medveščak Zagreb of the EBEL.-Playing career:...
to leave his team's bench to engage Phaneuf as a melee broke out in the aftermath of the check. The league reviewed the incident and suspended Morency ten games for leaving the bench.
| 2009 Pre-season Game Log: 3–2–2 (Home: 2–1–1 ; Road: 1–0–1; Neutral 0–1–0) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | ||
| 1 | September 15 | Edmonton 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 .... |
4 – 1 | Calgary 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... |
Keetley Matt Keetley Matt Keetley is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently a free agent-Personal life:... |
19,289 | 0–1–0 | |||
| 2 | September 17 | NY 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... |
4 – 5 | Calgary | SO | Shantz David Shantz David Shantz is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He most recently played in the ECHL during the 2010–11 season with the Victoria Salmon Kings... |
19,289 | 1–1–0 | ||
| 3 | September 19 (at Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre Credit Union Centre is an arena, located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Situated near the city's northern entrance, the facility opened in February, 1988 with a seating capacity of around 7,800. It was expanded to 11,330 for the World Junior Hockey Championships in 1990... ) |
Calgary | 2 – 4 | NY Islanders | McElhinney Curtis McElhinney Robert Curtis McElhinney is a Canadian professional ice hockey player with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. McElhinney was a sixth-round selection of the Flames, 176th overall, at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft... |
12,833 | 1–2–0 | |||
| 4 | September 20 | Florida Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... |
2 – 5 | Calgary | Kiprusoff Miikka Kiprusoff Miikka Sakari Kiprusoff is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fifth round, 116th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He has also played for TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga... |
19,289 | 2–2–0 | |||
| 5 | September 21 | Calgary | 4 – 5 | Vancouver 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,... |
SO | McElhinney | 18,630 | 2–2–1 | ||
| 6 | September 23 | Calgary | 5 – 3 | Edmonton | Kiprusoff | 16,839 | 3–2–1 | |||
| 7 | September 26 | Vancouver | 2 – 1 | Calgary | SO | Kiprusoff | 19,289 | 3–2–2 | ||
Legend: |
||||||||||
Regular season
The Flames were expected to battle 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,...
for top spot in the Northwest Division
Northwest Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
. The two teams met to open the season, a 5–3 victory for Calgary. It was the first time Calgary won a season opening game in seven years, and only the second since 1993. The Flames won their next three, including two against their arch-rivals
Battle of Alberta
The Battle of Alberta is a term applied to the intense rivalry between the Canadian cities of Edmonton, the capital of the province of Alberta, and Calgary, the province's largest city...
, 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 ....
to open the season at 4–0 for the first time since 1993–94
1993–94 Calgary Flames season
The 1993–94 Calgary Flames season was the 14th National Hockey League season in Calgary. It was a season of change across the NHL, as the league reorganized its divisions and playoff format...
. Following a loss to the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
, the Flames faced 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...
, and after scoring five goals in just five minutes, 29 seconds in the first period, went on to give up six consecutive goals to lose the game 6–5 in overtime. The six-goal outburst by Chicago tied an NHL record for the largest comeback in league history. Despite a 4–1–1 start to the season, the loss prompted coach Sutter to question the players' mental toughness. Although they felt they were not playing up to their expectations, the Flames tied a franchise record for the best start to the season, going 7–2–1 after ten games.
The Flames were embroiled in a national controversy in early November after it was revealed the team had secured a private clinic from Alberta Health Services
Alberta Health Services
Alberta Health Services is the province-wide organization responsible for providing hospital and other health care in the Canadian province of Alberta. Known as the "superboard", it was created in May 2008, with the abolition of nine previous regional health authorities, the Alberta Mental Health...
(AHS) to have all players and their families inoculated against the H1N1 flu pandemic
2009 flu pandemic
The 2009 flu pandemic was an influenza pandemic, and the second of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus , albeit in a new version...
at the same time as many Albertans were growing increasingly frustrated with how the province was running public clinics. The controversy polarized the public and the media, even within individual newspapers. The Calgary Sun
Calgary Sun
The Calgary Sun is a daily newspaper published in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is a division of Sun Media, a Quebecor company.First published in 1980, the tabloid-format daily replaced the long-running broadsheet newspaper, The Albertan soon after it was acquired by the publishers of the Toronto...
's Michael Platt accused the "millionaire hockey players" of taking vaccinations from "shivering children", while Eric Francis defended the club by pointing to the millions of dollars and hundreds of hours of volunteer time the team gives to the medical community. The Flames defended their actions, stating they completed an agreement with AHS prior to the Alberta government's controversial clinics opening and arguing that they did so at a time when the government was encouraging all Albertans to get the vaccinations. AHS responded to the controversy by firing two people, including the most senior staff member involved in permitting the private clinic to go ahead.
Coincidentally, goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Sakari Kiprusoff is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fifth round, 116th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He has also played for TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga...
was sidelined by what was suspected to be the flu on the same night the controversy broke. Backup Curtis McElhinney
Curtis McElhinney
Robert Curtis McElhinney is a Canadian professional ice hockey player with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. McElhinney was a sixth-round selection of the Flames, 176th overall, at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...
was a surprise starter against the Dallas Stars, and responded with a 38 save performance in a 3–2 overtime victory. The victory ended a two-game losing streak that again led Sutter to criticize the efforts of his team, especially captain Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
, and prompted the coach to put the players through an intense practice session prior to the game in Dallas. Kiprusoff surrendered only two goals in the Flames next three games as Calgary opened November with four consecutive wins, including a 1–0 shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
in Montreal against the 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 ...
that was his 200th win as a Flame.
In spite of losing Curtis Glencross
Curtis Glencross
Curtis Jack Glencross is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . Undrafted by any team, he signed with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks as a free agent in 2004 and made his NHL debut with the team in 2007...
to a three game suspension in early November, and suffering an embarrassing 7–1 loss at home to the Blackhawks in which leading scorer Rene Bourque
Rene Bourque
René Gary Wayne Bourque is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . An undrafted player, Bourque was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent in 2004 and made his NHL debut in 2005–06...
suffered an undisclosed injury, the Flames continued their torrid pace through November. Calgary moved past the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
, into the division lead late in the month following a 3–0 shutout victory over the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. Victories over the Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
and Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
saw the Flames finish the month of November with a 10–2–2 record and tie a franchise record for points in consecutive road games at ten. Jarome Iginla led the Flames offensively in the month, recording 13 goals and 20 points in 12 games and was named the first star of the month of November.
The Flames struggled in December, losing six of seven games during one stretch in the middle of the month that was punctuated with a 5–1 loss on home ice to the Canucks that the players described as embarrassing and which briefly dropped the Flames to eighth place in the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
. The loss to Vancouver also began the busiest part of the schedule for the Flames, who ended 2009 in the middle of a five game in seven night stretch and nine games in two weeks. The Flames entered the new year on a three-game winning streak that included two more victories over the Oilers, and were looking forward to putting their disappointing month of December behind them.
Rosters for the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
were announced in December. Olli Jokinen
Olli Jokinen
Olli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003...
joined Kiprusoff in being named to the Finnish team, while Jarome Iginla was named an alternate captain for Team Canada. Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...
, Jay Bouwmeester
Jay Bouwmeester
Jay Daniel Bouwmeester is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, third overall, of the Florida Panthers at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...
and Robyn Regehr
Robyn Regehr
Robyn Regehr is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League . He was a first round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche, selected 19th overall at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, but was traded to Calgary while still playing junior hockey for the...
, whom all attended the summer Olympic camp, were left off the Canadian roster. Jokinen felt that the teams poor December played a role in their being left off, and expressed that the team felt they let the three defencemen down as a result. At the Olympic tournament, Iginla led the tournament with five goals, and assisted on Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
's overtime winning goal in the gold medal final against the United States. Kiprusoff, along with Niklas Hagman
Niklas Hagman
Niklas Hagman is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He was a third round pick of the Florida Panthers, 70th overall, at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut with Florida in 2001...
, who was acquired from Toronto before the Games, both won bronze medals.
Two wins to begin January extended the Flames' winning streak to five games. An extended scoring slump led the team to struggle for the rest of the month, culminating in a nine-game losing streak; the longest the team has endured since an 11-game losing streak in 1985–86
1985–86 Calgary Flames season
The 1985–86 Calgary Flames season was the sixth season in Calgary and 14th for the Flames franchise in the National Hockey League . It was a banner season for the Flames, who overcame a franchise record eleven game losing streak to finish 2nd in the Smythe Division and captured the franchise's...
. The Flames finally ended the skid with a 6–1 victory, led by Iginla's four points and Gordie Howe hat trick
Gordie Howe hat trick
In ice hockey, a Gordie Howe hat trick is a variation on the hat-trick, wherein a player scores a goal, records an assist, and gets in a fight all in one game. It is named after Gordie Howe, well known for his skill at both scoring and fighting....
, over the Oilers, who had their own losing streak extended to 13 games. In doing so, the Flames won all six games against Edmonton, the first time either team has swept the other in the 30-year history of the rivalry. The following day, on January 31, Darryl Sutter completed a seven player trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
that saw Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...
sent to Toronto. Olli Jokinen
Olli Jokinen
Olli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003...
and Brandon Prust
Brandon Prust
Brandon Prust is a professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the New York Rangers in the NHL.-Playing career:*London Knights hockey team in London, Ontario, which were the OHL and Memorial Cup Champions, 2005....
were then sent to the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
for Ales Kotalik
Aleš Kotalík
Aleš Kotalík is a professional ice hockey right winger playing for HC Mountfield České Budějovice of the Czech Extraliga.-Playing career:...
and Christopher Higgins
Christopher Higgins
Christopher Higgins is an American professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . While playing college hockey, he was selected 14th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...
a day later in a trade that was first rumoured the evening before but was delayed so that Jokinen and Prust could play with the Flames against 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...
.
Three losses in four games, capped by a 5–0 defeat against the 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...
on March 27 left the Flames six points out of the eighth and final playoff spot with seven games remaining. The team also lost second-line centre Daymond Langkow
Daymond Langkow
Daymond Randolph Langkow is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, fifth overall, of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft...
after he was taken off the ice on a stretcher in Minnesota after being struck in the back of the neck by a slapshot. However, a 5–3 road victory against the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
leading Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
and a 2–1 home win against the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
, coupled with the Colorado Avalanche losing six of their final seven games to end the month of March left the Flames two points behind the Avalanche heading into April.
| 2009–10 Game log | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legend: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playoffs
Consecutive losses to Chicago and San Jose, coupled with two victories by Colorado eliminated the Flames from playoff contention in the final week of the season. The Flames failed to qualify for the post season for the first time since 2003. Flames players lamented their inability to score goals at key times as a primary reason for the team's failure. The dismal result for the Flames led fans and media to question whether the team needed to make significant changes in the off-season. The future of General Manager Darryl SutterDarryl Sutter
Darryl John Sutter is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach, and former general manager of the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League...
with the team was called into question, while many wondered if it was time to part ways with captain Jarome Iginla, who had been with the team since 1996. For his part, Iginla accepted responsibility for the failed season, and said he did not wish to leave Calgary, wanting instead to lead the Flames into a rebound season in 2010–11
2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
. When pressed by the media, he stated he would be willing to waive his no movement clause if the team asked him to, though Flames management dismissed speculation that they would consider dealing the team's captain.
With the Flames out of the playoffs, several players were invited to represent their national teams at the 2010 IIHF World Championship
2010 IIHF World Championship
The 2010 IIHF World Championship was the 74th IIHF World Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament. It took place between 7 and 23 May 2010 in Germany. The games were played in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, SAP Arena in Mannheim, and one game at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen...
in Germany. Rene Bourque
Rene Bourque
René Gary Wayne Bourque is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . An undrafted player, Bourque was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent in 2004 and made his NHL debut in 2005–06...
and Mark Giordano
Mark Giordano
Mark Giordano is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, an alternate captain for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was a leading scorer amongst defencemen in two seasons with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League but went unselected in the NHL Entry Draft...
played for Team Canada, while Eric Nystrom
Eric Nystrom
Eric Nystrom is an American ice hockey left winger for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection by the Flames, 10th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. In addition to the Flames, Nystrom was a member of the Minnesota Wild before joining the Stars...
and David Moss joined Team USA. Mikael Backlund
Mikael Backlund
Mikael Backlund is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, 24th overall, of the Flames in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, and made his NHL debut in 2008–09.-Playing career:Backlund began his junior hockey career with...
joined the Swedish team after the Abbotsford Heat
Abbotsford Heat
The Abbotsford Heat are a professional ice hockey team based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The Heat began play during 2009-10 season, and are the affiliate of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames...
were eliminated from the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
playoffs and won a bronze medal.
Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes| Regular season | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ss="wikitable sortable" width="100%"> | ||||||
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/− | PIM |
| 82 | 32 | 37 | 69 | −2 | 58 | |
| 73 | 27 | 31 | 58 | 7 | 88 | |
| 72 | 14 | 23 | 37 | 2 | 30 | |
| ‡ | 56 | 11 | 24 | 35 | 2 | 53 |
| 67 | 15 | 18 | 33 | 11 | 58 | |
| 66 | 14 | 18 | 32 | 1 | 18 | |
| 82 | 11 | 19 | 30 | 17 | 81 | |
| 82 | 3 | 26 | 29 | −4 | 48 | |
| ‡ | 55 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 3 | 49 |
| 82 | 11 | 8 | 19 | E | 54 | |
| ‡ | 60 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 5 | 15 |
| 64 | 8 | 9 | 17 | −9 | 20 | |
| 81 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 2 | 80 | |
| † | 27 | 3 | 13 | 16 | −3 | 2 |
| 63 | 3 | 12 | 15 | −6 | 25 | |
| † | 27 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 12 |
| † | 27 | 5 | 6 | 11 | −1 | 2 |
| 23 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 6 | |
| ‡ | 21 | 4 | 5 | 9 | −6 | 4 |
| 57 | 2 | 7 | 9 | −3 | 46 | |
| † | 27 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 53 |
| ‡ | 46 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| 57 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 58 | |
| † | 26 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 29 |
| ‡ | 43 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 98 |
| 34 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 86 | |
| † | 12 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 2 | |
| † | 18 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −8 | 16 |
| ‡ | 22 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 0 | |
| 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 5 | |
Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime Losses; GA = Goals Against; GAA= Goals Against Average; SA= Shots Against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save Percentage; SO= Shutouts| Regular season | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ss="wikitable sortable" width="100%"> | |||||||||||||
| Player | GP | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | Sv% | SO | G | A | PIM |
| 73 | 4235 | 35 | 28 | 9 | 163 | 2.31 | 1872 | .920 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| ‡ | 10 | 502 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 27 | 3.23 | 235 | .885 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| † | 6 | 212 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2.27 | 89 | .918 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Flames. Stats reflect time with the Flames only.
‡Traded mid-season
Bold/italics denotes franchise record
Awards and honours
Brett HullBrett Hull
Brett Andrew Hull is a former Canadian-American NHL player and the former Executive Vice President of the Dallas Stars. He is the son of Bobby Hull and nephew of Dennis Hull, both former NHL players. Hull is also known as "The Golden Brett," which is a play off of his father's nickname, "The...
, selected by the Flames 114th overall at the 1984 NHL Entry Draft
1984 NHL Entry Draft
The 1984 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 9, 1984, at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec.The 1984 Entry Draft was noted for the unusually high number of future Hall of Famers picked, particularly in lower rounds. In addition to Mario Lemieux being taken first overall, Patrick Roy was chosen...
, was elected to 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...
in 2009. Hull Scored 741 goals during his 19 year career, the third highest total in NHL history. During the season, Iginla and Langkow reached significant career milestones on consecutive nights as they played their 1,000th career games in the NHL. Both players made their debut in the 1995–96 season and were both opponents during their Western Hockey League
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...
careers and teammates at the 1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 20th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, hosted in Massachusetts...
. The Flames presented the pair with silver sticks at a joint ceremony to honour them for their achievement.
Awards
| League awards | |||
| Player | Award | ||
| Jarome Iginla Jarome Iginla Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis... |
First Star of the Week (November 3–9) | ||
| Jarome Iginla | First Star of the Month (November) | ||
| Team awards | |||
| Miikka Kiprusoff Miikka Kiprusoff Miikka Sakari Kiprusoff is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fifth round, 116th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He has also played for TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga... |
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... |
||
| Craig Conroy Craig Conroy Craig Conroy is an American former professional ice hockey player and currently the Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Calgary Flames. A sixth round selection of the Montreal Canadiens at the 1990 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Conroy played 1,009 NHL games for the Canadiens, St... |
Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award | ||
| Daymond Langkow Daymond Langkow Daymond Randolph Langkow is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, fifth overall, of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft... |
J. R. "Bud" McCaig Award | ||
Milestones
| Player | Milestone | Reached | |
| Staffan Kronwall Staffan Kronwall Staffan Kronwall is a professional ice-hockey defenceman for Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Elitserien. He previously played for the Calgary Flames and has also played with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Kronwall represented Sweden at... |
1st NHL goal | October 6, 2009 | |
| Mikael Backlund Mikael Backlund Mikael Backlund is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, 24th overall, of the Flames in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, and made his NHL debut in 2008–09.-Playing career:Backlund began his junior hockey career with... |
1st NHL goal 1st NHL point |
January 28, 2010 | |
| Jarome Iginla Jarome Iginla Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis... |
900th NHL point | January 30, 2010 | |
| Jarome Iginla | 1000th NHL game | February 5, 2010 | |
| Daymond Langkow Daymond Langkow Daymond Randolph Langkow is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, fifth overall, of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft... |
1000th NHL game | February 6, 2010 |
Transactions
The Flames completed several trades during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
. They first gained an additional third round selection from the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for agreeing to swap first round picks. The Flames moved down to the 23rd overall pick and gave the Devils the 20th overall selection. Calgary followed that up by dealing a third round pick to the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
, along with the negotiating rights of Free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
defenceman Jordan Leopold
Jordan Leopold
Jordan Leopold is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, currently playing with the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
in exchange for the negotiating rights of defenceman Jay Bouwmeester
Jay Bouwmeester
Jay Daniel Bouwmeester is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, third overall, of the Florida Panthers at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...
. The move proved successful, as Bouwmeester agreed to a five-year contract less than a day before he would have become an unrestricted free agent.
Having already signed Bouwmeester, the Flames were relatively quiet in the first days of the free agent signing period. The team signed a quartet of players in Fredrik Sjostrom
Fredrik Sjöström
Fredrik Sjöström is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger playing with Frölunda HC of the Elitserien. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs.-Playing career:Sjöström is a big but speedy forward who...
, Garth Murray
Garth Murray
Garth Murray is a Canadian ice hockey forward currently playing for the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League...
, Riley Armstrong and Staffan Kronwall
Staffan Kronwall
Staffan Kronwall is a professional ice-hockey defenceman for Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Elitserien. He previously played for the Calgary Flames and has also played with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Kronwall represented Sweden at...
. They lost team leading scorer Michael Cammalleri after he signed a five-year, $30 million contract with 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 ...
. Adrian Aucoin
Adrian Aucoin
Adrian Aucoin is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
also moved on, signing with the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
. The team was able to retain defenceman Adam Pardy
Adam Pardy
Adam Pardy is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . He was a sixth round selection of the Calgary Flames, 173rd overall, at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and played nearly 150 games in Calgary before joining the Stars as a free agent in 2011...
, as he signed a two-year deal to remain in Calgary.
Darryl Sutter engineered a seven player trade at the end of January that sent Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...
and Fredrik Sjostrom to the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for four players led by Matt Stajan
Matt Stajan
Matthew Stajan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . Matthew is of Slovenian descent and holds dual citizenship of Canada and Slovenia.-Hockey career:...
, Ian White and Niklas Hagman
Niklas Hagman
Niklas Hagman is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He was a third round pick of the Florida Panthers, 70th overall, at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut with Florida in 2001...
. The deal ended weeks of speculation about the Calgary defenceman's future amid reports that Phaneuf had requested a trade – a claim he had denied. One day later, the Flames sent Olli Jokinen
Olli Jokinen
Olli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003...
and Brandon Prust
Brandon Prust
Brandon Prust is a professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the New York Rangers in the NHL.-Playing career:*London Knights hockey team in London, Ontario, which were the OHL and Memorial Cup Champions, 2005....
to the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in exchange for Ales Kotalik
Aleš Kotalík
Aleš Kotalík is a professional ice hockey right winger playing for HC Mountfield České Budějovice of the Czech Extraliga.-Playing career:...
and Christopher Higgins
Christopher Higgins
Christopher Higgins is an American professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . While playing college hockey, he was selected 14th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...
. The deals resulted in the change of over one third of the roster in the period of a day, moves that were seen as a sign of panic as the Flames hovered around the final playoff spot. While rumours circulated that Phaneuf was dealt because he was a divisive influence in the locker room, Jokinen later blamed the fans in Calgary for the defenceman's departure. Jokinen admitted that he was traded because he failed to produce in Calgary, while in Kotalik, the Flames received a player who was having a similarly disappointing season in New York.
The Flames completed three trades at the March 3 deadline. They first sent backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney
Curtis McElhinney
Robert Curtis McElhinney is a Canadian professional ice hockey player with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. McElhinney was a sixth-round selection of the Flames, 176th overall, at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...
to the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for Vesa Toskala
Vesa Toskala
Vesa Tapani Toskala is a professional ice hockey goaltender, currently playing for Ilves.-Early career:Toskala was selected by San Jose in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft . The Sharks also took fellow Finn Miikka Kiprusoff in the fifth round...
who became Kiprusoff's backup. They then sent forward Dustin Boyd
Dustin Boyd
Dustin Boyd is a Canadian professional ice hockey player under contract with Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League.- Playing career :...
to the Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for a draft pick. Despite showing potential at times, the 23-year-old Boyd had failed to live up to the expectations placed on him in Calgary. The day ended with a minor, but historic, trade that saw Aaron Johnson sent to 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 ....
along with a draft pick, for fellow defenceman Steve Staios
Steve Staios
Steven Staios is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is an alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He has played both right wing and defence in the NHL.-Playing career:...
. The deal marked the first time in the 30-year history of the Battle of Alberta
Battle of Alberta
The Battle of Alberta is a term applied to the intense rivalry between the Canadian cities of Edmonton, the capital of the province of Alberta, and Calgary, the province's largest city...
that the two organizations completed a trade with each other.
Trades
| June 26, 2009 |
To Calgary Flames 23rd-overall pick in 2009 Draft 2009 NHL Entry Draft The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or... Third-round pick in 2009 |
To New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... 20th-overall pick in 2009 |
| June 27, 2009 |
To Calgary Flames Jay Bouwmeester Jay Bouwmeester Jay Daniel Bouwmeester is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, third overall, of the Florida Panthers at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft... |
To Florida Panthers Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... Jordan Leopold Jordan Leopold Jordan Leopold is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, currently playing with the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:... Third-round pick in 2009 |
| June 27, 2009 |
To Calgary Flames Third-round pick (#74) in 2009 |
To 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... Third-round pick (#84) in 2009 Fourth-round pick (#107) in 2009 |
| June 27, 2009 |
To Calgary Flames Brandon Prust Brandon Prust Brandon Prust is a professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the New York Rangers in the NHL.-Playing career:*London Knights hockey team in London, Ontario, which were the OHL and Memorial Cup Champions, 2005.... |
To Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix Coyotes The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena.... Jim Vandermeer Jim Vandermeer James Patrick "Jim" Vandermeer is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . Jim was born and raised in Caroline, Alberta.-Playing career:... |
| July 17, 2009 |
To Calgary Flames Keith Seabrook Keith Seabrook Keith Seabrook is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Seabrook is currently a member of the Florida Panthers organization of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :... |
To Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... Future considerations |
| July 27, 2009 |
To Calgary Flames Anton Stralman Anton Strålman Anton Strålman is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman, currently under contract with the New York Rangers.- Playing career :... Colin Stuart Colin Stuart (ice hockey) Colin Stuart is an American professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League . He is the older brother of Winnipeg Jets defenseman, Mark Stuart.-Playing career:... Seventh round pick in 2012 2012 NHL Entry Draft The 2012 NHL Entry Draft will be the 50th NHL Entry Draft. The draft will be held on June 22–23, 2012 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the first time Pittsburgh will host the draft since the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.... |
To Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... Wayne Primeau Wayne Primeau Wayne Michael Primeau is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently a free agent. He is the younger brother of Keith Primeau... Second round pick in 2011 2011 NHL Entry Draft The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted... |
| September 28, 2009 | To Calgary Flames 3rd round pick in 2010 |
To Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... Anton Stralman Anton Strålman Anton Strålman is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman, currently under contract with the New York Rangers.- Playing career :... |
| October 7, 2009 | To Calgary Flames Aaron Johnson |
To 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... Kyle Greentree Kyle Greentree Kyle Greentree is a Canadian professional ice hockey player in the Washington Capitals system. An undrafted player, he previously played two games each for the Philadelphia Flyers and Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League .... |
| January 31, 2010 | To Calgary Flames Matt Stajan Matt Stajan Matthew Stajan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . Matthew is of Slovenian descent and holds dual citizenship of Canada and Slovenia.-Hockey career:... Niklas Hagman Niklas Hagman Niklas Hagman is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He was a third round pick of the Florida Panthers, 70th overall, at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut with Florida in 2001... Jamal Mayers Jamal Mayers Jamal David Mayers is a professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. He wore jersey number 21 for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the St. Louis Blues, number 19 for the Flames, and number 10 for the San Jose Sharks... Ian White |
To Toronto Maple Leafs Dion Phaneuf Dion Phaneuf Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League... Fredrik Sjostrom Fredrik Sjöström Fredrik Sjöström is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger playing with Frölunda HC of the Elitserien. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs.-Playing career:Sjöström is a big but speedy forward who... Keith Aulie Keith Aulie Keith Aulie is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Aulie was drafted by the Calgary Flames 116th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Aulie played junior hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League , and was honoured as... |
| February 1, 2010 | To Calgary Flames Christopher Higgins Christopher Higgins Christopher Higgins is an American professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . While playing college hockey, he was selected 14th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft... Ales Kotalik Aleš Kotalík Aleš Kotalík is a professional ice hockey right winger playing for HC Mountfield České Budějovice of the Czech Extraliga.-Playing career:... |
To New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... Olli Jokinen Olli Jokinen Olli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003... Brandon Prust Brandon Prust Brandon Prust is a professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the New York Rangers in the NHL.-Playing career:*London Knights hockey team in London, Ontario, which were the OHL and Memorial Cup Champions, 2005.... |
| March 3, 2010 | To Calgary Flames Vesa Toskala Vesa Toskala Vesa Tapani Toskala is a professional ice hockey goaltender, currently playing for Ilves.-Early career:Toskala was selected by San Jose in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft . The Sharks also took fellow Finn Miikka Kiprusoff in the fifth round... |
To Anaheim Ducks Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... Curtis McElhinney Curtis McElhinney Robert Curtis McElhinney is a Canadian professional ice hockey player with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. McElhinney was a sixth-round selection of the Flames, 176th overall, at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft... |
| March 3, 2010 | To Calgary Flames 4th round pick in 2010 |
To Nashville Predators Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... Dustin Boyd Dustin Boyd Dustin Boyd is a Canadian professional ice hockey player under contract with Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League.- Playing career :... |
| March 3, 2010 | To Calgary Flames Steve Staios Steve Staios Steven Staios is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is an alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He has played both right wing and defence in the NHL.-Playing career:... |
To 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 .... Aaron Johnson 3rd round pick in 2010 or 2011 |
Additions and subtractions
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%"> | Additions | |
| Player | Former team | Via |
| Fredrik Sjostrom Fredrik Sjöström Fredrik Sjöström is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger playing with Frölunda HC of the Elitserien. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs.-Playing career:Sjöström is a big but speedy forward who... |
New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
Free agency Free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise.... |
| Garth Murray Garth Murray Garth Murray is a Canadian ice hockey forward currently playing for the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League... |
Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix Coyotes The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena.... |
Free agency |
| Riley Armstrong | San Jose Sharks San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
Free agency |
| Staffan Kronwall Staffan Kronwall Staffan Kronwall is a professional ice-hockey defenceman for Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Elitserien. He previously played for the Calgary Flames and has also played with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Kronwall represented Sweden at... |
Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... |
Free agency |
| Jason Jaffray Jason Jaffray Jason Jaffray is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Winnipeg Jets organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... |
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,... |
Free agency |
| Brian McGrattan Brian McGrattan Brian McGrattan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... |
Phoenix Coyotes | Free agency |
| Nigel Dawes Nigel Dawes Nigel Dawes is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for Barys Astana. Before joining Barys, he played for the Montreal Canadiens, the Atlanta Thrashers and the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League... |
Phoenix Coyotes | Waivers |
Mike Cammalleri
Michael Cammalleri is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Junior:...
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 ...
Adrian Aucoin
Adrian Aucoin is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
Warren Peters
Warren Peters is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently in the Minnesota Wild organization of the National Hockey League...
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
André Roy
André Roy is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey player. A veteran of the National Hockey League , Roy is currently an unrestricted free agent.-Playing career:...
Rhett Warrener
Rhett Adam Warrener is a former Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played over 700 games in the National Hockey League for the Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames...
Jamie Lundmark
Jamie Lundmark is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with Dinamo Riga of the KHL.-Playing career:...
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
Draft picks
The Flames opened the 2009 NHL Entry Draft2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
with the 20th overall selection but moved down three spots following a trade with New Jersey. With the 23rd overall pick, Calgary drafted Tim Erixon
Tim Erixon
Tim Erixon is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was acquired in a 2011 trade with the Calgary Flames whom selected him in the first round, 23rd overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Erixon has previously played for Skellefteå...
, a defenceman from Sweden. Erixon, whose father Jan
Jan Erixon
Jan Erixon is a former professional ice hockey player. Erixon was the thirtieth overall pick in the second round by the New York Rangers in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. He began his NHL career with the Rangers in the 1983–84 season, and played with them through the 1992–93 season...
also played in the NHL, considers himself a two-way defenceman, and hopes to contribute both offensively and defensively for the Flames.
| Rnd | Pick | Player | Nationality | Position | Team (league) | NHL statistics | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||||||
| 1 | 23 | Tim Erixon Tim Erixon Tim Erixon is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was acquired in a 2011 trade with the Calgary Flames whom selected him in the first round, 23rd overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Erixon has previously played for Skellefteå... |
D | Skelleftea AIK Skellefteå AIK Skellefteå AIK Hockey is a Swedish professional ice hockey club from Skellefteå, playing in the Swedish elite league Elitserien.- History :... (SEL Elitserien Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden... ) |
||||||
| 3 | 74 | Ryan Howse | LW | Chilliwack Bruins Chilliwack Bruins The Chilliwack Bruins were a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League, based out of Chilliwack, British Columbia. The 2006–07 season marked the Bruins inaugural season in the WHL. The team played at Prospera Centre, which was expanded to 5,386 seats for the arrival of the Bruins... (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... ) |
||||||
| 4 | 111 | Henrik Björklund Henrik Björklund Henrik Björklund is a Swedish ice hockey forward. He is currently playing for Färjestads BK in the Swedish Elitserien. During the 2006/07 season Björklund only played one game with Färjestad, but when he played that game he became youngest player ever to play with Färjestad... |
RW | Farjestad (SEL) | ||||||
| 5 | 141 | Spencer Bennett | LW | Surrey Eagles Surrey Eagles The Surrey Eagles are a Junior "A" Ice Hockey team based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Coastal Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League . They play their home games at South Surrey Arena.-New Westminster:... (BCHL British Columbia Hockey League The British Columbia Hockey League is a Junior "A" ice hockey league from British Columbia under Hockey Canada, a subsection of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Founded in Vernon in 1961, the BCHL now includes 16 teams. These teams play in two conferences, known as the Coastal and the Interior... ) |
||||||
| 6 | 171 | Joni Ortio Joni Ortio Joni Ortio is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Abbotsford Heat – the American Hockey League affiliate of the Calgary Flames... |
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... |
TPS Jr. (Fin Jr.) | ||||||
| 7 | 201 | Gaelan Patterson Gaelan Patterson Gaelan Patterson is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Abbotsford Heat in the American Hockey League... |
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... |
Saskatoon Blades Saskatoon Blades The Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:... (WHL) |
||||||
Farm teams
After two seasons in Illinois, the Flames' relocated their American Hockey LeagueAmerican Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
franchise, the Quad City Flames
Quad City Flames
The Quad City Flames were an ice hockey team that played between 2007 and 2009. They were owned by QC Sports Ventures Inc., an ownership group based out of the Quad Cities. The Flames played at the I wireless Center in Moline, Illinois. They were the American Hockey League farm team of the...
to the Fraser Valley
Fraser Valley
The Fraser Valley is the section of the Fraser River basin in southwestern British Columbia downstream of the Fraser Canyon. The term is sometimes used to refer to the Fraser Canyon and stretches upstream from there, but in general British Columbian usage of the term refers to the stretch of the...
of British Columbia. Called as the Abbotsford Heat
Abbotsford Heat
The Abbotsford Heat are a professional ice hockey team based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The Heat began play during 2009-10 season, and are the affiliate of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames...
, the team named former Calgary head coach Jim Playfair
Jim Playfair
James Playfair is the associate coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. He is a former NHL ice hockey player and a former head coach of the Calgary Flames.-Playing career:...
their coach. After six seasons, the Flames and the Las Vegas Wranglers
Las Vegas Wranglers
The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL...
of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
ended their affiliation agreement. Replacing the Wranglers, the Flames signed an agreement to place up to four players with the Utah Grizzlies
Utah Grizzlies
The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play out of West Valley City, Utah, United States, with their home games at the Maverik Center.- Franchise history :...
.
Playfair gained notoriety late in the season after video of his wild tantrum against referee Jamie Koharski that involved the coach smashing two sticks went viral
Viral video
A viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites, social media and email...
. Playfair was upset at what he felt was an excessive penalty given to one of his players, and came as the Heat were struggling to clinch a playoff spot. The Heat finished with a record of 39–29–5–7, good enough for third place in the North Division, despite losing over 400 man-games to injury. The Heat faced the Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
in the first round of the playoffs, and overcame a 3–1 series deficit to defeat the Americans in seven games. In doing so, they became the first team in AHL history to win games six and seven on the road to win a series. Abbotsford was defeated in six games by the Hamilton Bulldogs
Hamilton Bulldogs
The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens...
in the North Division final to end their season.