Calgary Flames

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The Calgary Flames are a franchise in the NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE. The team originally joined the league in 1972 as the Atlanta Flames but moved to Calgary in May 1980 under the ownership of Vancouver businessman Nelson Skalbania. One year later he sold the team to a group of Calgary businessmen, including Byron and Daryl "Doc" Seaman, Harley Hotchkiss, Norman Green, Ralph Scurfield and Normie KWONG. Green relinquished his ownership in 1990 to purchase the Minnesota North Stars. The Flames remain under the ownership of a group of six local investors. In 2010 Forbes magazine pegged the value of the hockey club at $206 million.

Highlights of the deciding Game 6 of the 1989 Stanley Cup Final. Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary Flames. Flames win the Cup.

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In the 1980s, general manager Cliff Fletcher built a successful team that challenged the EDMONTON OILERS for domination. The "Battle of Alberta" playoff matches were legendary, including the 1986 series in which the Flames defeated the heavily-favoured Oilers in seven games. The winning goal came when Oiler defenceman Steve Smith accidentally knocked the puck into his own net. The Flames went on to the STANLEY CUP final that year, only to lose to the MONTREAL CANADIENS four games to one. Part-owner Sonia Scurfield became the first woman to have her name engraved on the Cup.

The team had limited playoff success in the 1990s, never making it past the first round in the early part of the decade and missing the playoffs entirely from 1996-97 to 2002-03.

Under the guidance of Alberta-born coach Darryl Sutter, and team captain Jarome Iginla (the club's all-time leading scorer), the Flames made the playoffs again in 2003-2004, making it to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in 15 years, but losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in game seven. Goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, a key player for the Flames since joining the team in 2003, won the Vezina Trophy for outstanding goalkeeper in 2005-06.

The Flames have developed a strong history during their years in Calgary. Lanny McDonald (#9) and goaltender Mike Vernon (#30) have both had their jerseys retired by the club. Harley Hotchkiss, one of the Flames' original Calgary owners, was inducted into the HOCKEY HALL OF FAME Builders Category in 2006 as was the late Daryl "Doc" Seaman, in 2010, also an original owner.

The Flames play at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the same arena that hosted hockey at the 1988 Winter OLYMPIC GAMES. Extensive renovations took place in 1995. Team colours are red, black, gold and white.

Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames playing against the Washington Capitals (photo courtesy Calgary Flames).
Calgary Flames, logo
Calgary Flames, logo
(copyright NHL)

Author J.D.M. STEWART


Links to Other Sites
Calgary Flames
Skate into the Calgary Flames website for all the latest team news. From the NHL.com network.

sportsnet.ca
Check out the sportsnet.ca website for the latest sports news and videos.

Andrew Podnieks
The website for Andrew Podnieks, the author of more than 50 books on the sport of hockey. Also see the gallery of Dennis Miles photos of hockey players and the bios of members of the "Women's Hall of Fame."

The Hockey News
The website for The Hockey News, which has been reporting the latest news about the world of hockey since 1947.

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