Checking in on Departed Flames & Benefiting From Lindholm's All-Star Pick
Plus, which Flames jersey numbers have only been worn once?
Welcome to the THW Calgary Flames Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Flames writers.
In today’s edition, we look at departed Flames from the 2022-23 team to see how they’re doing and discuss how the NHL helped the team by picking Elias Lindholm as an All-Star. Finally, we have an archive that highlights the jersey numbers that have only been worn once in franchise history.
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They Wore It Once: Flames Players and Their Unique Numbers
January 21, 2024 by Ryan Gagne
The Calgary Flames began as the Atlanta Flames in 1972 and relocated to southern Alberta in 1980. Throughout their 51-year history, including a Stanley Cup championship in 1989, there have been 593 skaters and 58 goalies to don the iconic red jersey.
Rarely in NHL history has a player worn the jersey #0 or #00, and the league retired 99 when Wayne Gretzky hung up his skates in 1999, meaning today’s skaters can pick any number from 1 to 98. If anyone signs in Calgary, there are currently three numbers unavailable that belong to Hall of Famers: Lanny McDonald (#9), Jarome Iginla (#12), and Mike Vernon (#30).
Soon, Miika Kipersouff (#34) will join this group with a retirement ceremony planned on Mar. 2, 2024, before the Flames face the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Saddledome. Surprisingly, out of the 98 available numbers, only 15 remain unworn in franchise history, while 17 have been rostered just once. Today, we will examine those unique numbers and the players who donned them.
Former Flames on New Teams: Checking in on 2023 Departures
January 21, 2024 by Derek Olsen
As the new year progresses and the All-Star Break approaches, the Calgary Flames are surging. They have won four in a row, and are currently just two points out of the final wild card spot in the West. They have seven third-period comeback victories, and are looking a lot better than they did starting the season 2-6-1. For the media and fans, it is a nice sight to see after an up-and-down 2022-23 which led to the team missing the playoffs altogether. General manager Brad Treliving as well as most of the team’s coaching staff were subsequently replaced.
Most of the 2022-23 team returned for this current season, but not all. The organization made a handful of in-season and offseason moves, whether they be signings, trades, or waiver wire pickups. Some of the departed have played a lot of games in “Cowtown”, some didn’t, some are still in the NHL, and some aren’t, but each is a part of Flames history regardless. Let’s have a look at how these individuals have fared since parting ways with the Flames, and what they’re up to at the present day.
NHL Helped Flames by Selecting Elias Lindholm for All-Star Game
January 19, 2024 by Gary Pearson
The NHL selected Elias Lindholm as the Calgary Flames’ sole representative for the 2024 All-Star Game in Toronto, a perplexing decision that could work out in Calgary’s favour. When news of his selection broke on Jan. 4, countless onlookers were baffled by the decision, wondering how it came about.
Lindholm has thus far endured his least-productive offensive campaign since arriving in Calgary five years ago. And it’s not even close, but more about that later. Contrary to initial belief, the Flames had nothing to do with his peculiar selection. While a mystifying, even incorrect, decision, the NHL may have done the Flames a favour by firing Lindholm into the All-Star limelight.