The Calgary Flames are a professional hockey team based in Calgary, competing in the National Hockey League (NHL). Over a short period, the team has become a favorite among hockey fans in Southern Alberta and North America as a whole. Known as a successful NHL franchise, the Flames have established themselves as an integral part of Calgary’s community. Below is a detailed look at the team’s development, victories, and challenges.
Foundation in Atlanta
The team was founded in 1972 in Atlanta, a city in the southeastern United States, and was initially named the Atlanta Flames. It joined the NHL alongside the New York Islanders. The owner of the newly formed Atlanta Flames was Tom Cousins, who also owned the Atlanta Hawks. Cousins named the team “Flames” as a reference to the devastating fire during General Sherman’s March to the Sea in November–December 1864, which destroyed much of Atlanta during the U.S. Civil War.
Under head coaches Bernie Geoffrion, Fred Creighton, and Al MacNeil, the Atlanta Flames were relatively successful early on, making the playoffs in six of their eight seasons. Compared to their NHL debut companions, the Islanders, the Flames outperformed their competition.
Ownership Change and Relocation to Calgary
In 1980, Tom Cousins faced financial difficulties, prompting him to sell the Flames. Several potential buyers expressed interest, but Cousins ultimately accepted an offer from Canadian entrepreneur Nelson Skalbania. Skalbania led a group of Calgary-based businessmen, including oil tycoons and a notable actor. Cousins sold the team to this group for $16 million USD, a record price for an NHL team at the time.
On May 21, 1980, Skalbania announced the relocation of the team to Calgary. He retained the “Flames” name, believing it aptly suited Calgary’s oil-rich identity. The Atlanta Flames logo, featuring a flaming “A,” was replaced with a flaming “C” for Calgary. By 1981, Skalbania sold his stake, and the remaining local businessmen assumed ownership.
A Rapid Ascent
The Flames’ first game in Calgary saw record ticket sales. For the first time in NHL history, 755 standing-room tickets were sold, drawing a total of 7,243 fans to the Stampede Corral on October 9, 1980.
In their first decade, the Flames achieved notable success. Led by Kent Nilsson, who scored 49 goals and earned 131 points, the Flames made the playoffs in their inaugural Calgary season. The team’s performance significantly improved compared to its years in Atlanta. However, the Flames also experienced setbacks. In the 1981–1982 season, struggles necessitated roster changes, with underperforming players replaced to adapt to the high-pressure hockey environment.
Over the next three seasons, the Flames assembled a strong roster that remained intact until the early 1990s. They were among the first teams to sign contracts with numerous American college hockey players and actively sought talent in Europe, acquiring key players like Håkan Loob.
Håkan Loob and New Milestones
In 1983, the team moved to its new home, the Scotiabank Saddledome. That same year, the Calgary Flames Foundation was established as the club’s charitable arm. Since its inception, the foundation and its partners have raised millions for education, healthcare, medical research, and amateur and grassroots sports.
By 1990, the Flames had secured two Smythe Division Championships, two Clarence Campbell Conference titles, and two Presidents’ Trophies. The team reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice, suffering a loss to the Montreal Canadiens in 1986 but achieving victory in a six-game series in 1989. The Flames remain the only team to have won the Stanley Cup on the ice of the Montreal Forum.
The 1990s brought challenges and changes as the Flames sought to replicate their 1980s success. A reorganization of the NHL in 1993 moved the team to the Pacific Division. This transition proved beneficial, with the Flames capturing their first of two Pacific Division titles that season. The Flames also acquired the Calgary Hitmen, a junior team in the Western Hockey League, during this decade.
The 2000s brought new opportunities. In 2004, the Flames reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the third time. That playoff run saw them eliminate three top-ranked NHL teams before falling in a grueling seven-game series finale. Fans rallied behind the team, wearing red jerseys, a phenomenon dubbed the “C of Red.” During games, fans emphasized the words “see” and “red” in “The Star-Spangled Banner,” highlighting the team’s spirit. In December 2018, Calgary rock band The Dudes collaborated with the Flames to release a hockey-themed cover of their song Saturday Night, renamed My C is Alright.
During the 2004 Finals, Calgary turned into a hub of celebration. The city’s entertainment district, 17th Avenue SW, saw 35,000 fans during the first three playoff rounds and over 60,000 during the Finals.
The 2000s also marked recognition for off-ice contributions to the Flames’ success. In 2006, the Hockey Hall of Fame inducted two legends: Flames co-owner Harley Hotchkiss and broadcaster Peter Maher. In 2009, co-owner Daryl Seaman passed away.
In April 2006, the team announced the opening of an interactive sports bar on Stephen Avenue, which opened to the public in 2007 under the name Flames Central. The venue closed in 2017.
Modern Era and Recent Success
On November 26, 2010, the Flames scored their 10,000th goal in franchise history and later played their 3,000th NHL game. The following year, they defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 at McMahon Stadium in front of 41,000 fans in the NHL’s first outdoor game.
The 2013–2014 season saw a record 12 Flames players debut in the NHL, and the 2014–2015 season marked their first playoff appearance since 2009. Ahead of the 2018–2019 season, the team restructured its roster, earning its first division title since 2006 and advancing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In the 2019–2020 season, head coach Bill Peters faced allegations of racism and physical abuse against player Akim Aliu, leading to Peters’ resignation. The season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021–2022 season saw the Flames achieve 50 wins and 111 points, securing first place in the Pacific Division and returning to the playoffs. They defeated the Dallas Stars in a seven-game series during the first round, marking their first advancement to the second round since 2015. However, the season ended with a loss to the Edmonton Oilers.