Through three rounds of reviewing the best Calgary Flames by jersey number, we’ve seen All-Stars, fan favourites, and Hall of Famers. Let’s continue our series and see what great players have worn jersey numbers #31 – 40. As with every round, we will be evaluating players by their production, fan appeal, and legacy while playing for the Flames, and not for their total career work.
Best Calgary Flames By Jersey Number: #31 – 40
#31 –Rick Wamsley (Goaltender)
Wamsley played parts of 5 seasons in Calgary. He served as the backup goaltender on the Flames 1989 Stanley Cup-winning team. In his 111 games played for Calgary, he recorded 53 wins and 4 shoutouts.
Honourable Mention – Rick Tabaracci (Goaltender)
During his time in Calgary Tabaracci posted a .896 save percentage and a 2.81 goal-against average. Tabaracci brought stability to the net during when the Flames were searching for a true #1 goaltender after the departure of Mike Vernon. In 97 games over two stints with the Flames Tabaracci recorded 36 wins.
#32 –Toni Lydman (Defenceman)
Lydman provided Calgary with steady defensive minutes for his 4 seasons in Calgary. He played in the top four on the backend and was reliable in his own end. He didn’t provide much in the way of offence, with his best season coming in the 2001-2002 season when he recorded 6 goals and 28 points.
Honourable Mention – Paul Byron (Left Wing)
Byron was a speedy skater who was terrific on the penalty kill. He will be remembered for the number of chances he created with his speed, but also for his inability to finish most of them. He spent 4 seasons in Calgary before being traded to Montreal where he broke out into the player Flames fans hoped he would be.
#33 –Carey Wilson (Centre)
Wilson had two stints with the Calgary Flames totalling 8 seasons. He was a solid offensive contributor during his time with the franchise. He tallied 263 career points in 355 games for the Flames. Wilson had 3 20-goal seasons in Calgary with his best offensive year for the Flames coming in the 1984-1985 season when he scored 72 points.
Honourable Mention – David Rittich (Goaltender)
Rittich played 5 seasons in Calgary racking up 63 wins and 4 shutouts. Big Save Dave will always be remembered for the competitiveness and passion he brought to the goaltender position. This passion was summed up perfectly when he tossed his stick in celebration of sealing a victory in the Battle of Alberta.
#34 – Miikka Kiprusoff (Goaltender)
The franchise leader in games played (576), wins (305), and shutouts (41). Kiprusoff was the best goaltender that Calgary Flames have ever had. During his 9 year run in Calgary, he gave the Flames an opportunity to win every night with his stingy goaltending. He would win 1 Vezina Trophy with the Flames for his incredible work in the 2005-2006 season, where he led the league in goals-against average and shutouts. He was a major part of the Flames run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004, coming up one game short of a Stanley Cup win.
Honourable Mention – Jamie Macoun (Defenceman)
Macoun played 9 seasons and 586 games in Calgary. He was named to the All-Rookie team in the 1983-1984 season and would go on to be a solid shutdown defenceman. He helped the Flames secure their only Stanley Cup victory in 1989.
#35 – Jeff Reese (Goaltender)
Reese served as the backup to Mike Vernon in the early 90’s. Playing a total of 39 games over 3 seasons in Calgary. He finished his time in Calgary with 17 wins and 1 shutout.
Honourable Mention – Joey MacDonald (Goaltender)
MacDonald played in Calgary for just 2 seasons and 32 games. He posted 13 wins during that time and was a serviceable backup.
#36 – Troy Brouwer (Right Wing)
Brouwer will be remembered largely as a disappointment. He signed a 4-year 18-million dollar contract ahead of the 2016-2017 season. He was never able to live up to his contract and was eventually bought out by the Flames. During his two seasons in Calgary, he played in a bottom-six role scoring 47 points in 150 games.
Honourable Mention – Ronald Petrovický (Right Wing)
Drafted in the 9th round of the 1996 draft, Petrovicky would play in two seasons for the Flames. He scored 21 points in his 107 games.
#37 – Trevor Kidd (Goaltender)
Kidd was drafted 11th overall in the 1990 NHL draft. The Flames had hoped he would become a replacement for Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Mike Vernon. He played well in Calgary, but Kidd could never replicate Vernon’s success. He played parts of 5 seasons in Calgary. Over that time he posted 72 wins and 10 shutouts over 178 games.
Honourable Mention – Dean McAmmond (Centre)
McAmmond played 2 seasons for the Calgary Flames. During his time he had the most productive offensive season of his career. Scoring 51 points and 21 goals in the 2001-2002 season.
#38 – Jeff Cowan (Left Wing)
There are not many choices when it comes to the number 38 for the Flames Franchise. Cowan played in 3 seasons for the Flames, totalling 83 games. He managed to score 14 goals of his total 19 points.
Honourable Mention – Todd Hlusko (Centre)
Hlushko played parts of 4 seasons in Calgary and appeared in just 77 games. In the 1996-1997 season, he posted 18 points of his 20 total NHL career points.
#39 – Doug Gilmour (Centre)
Gilmour played 4 seasons for the Calgary Flames. His best season came in the 1989-1990 season when he scored 24 goals and 91 points. He was a member of the 1989 Stanley Cup-winning team and scored 22 points in 22 games during that playoff run. He was known as a solid two-way forward who would go on to win a Frank J. Selke Trophy as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Honourable Mention – Dan Keczmer (Defenceman)
In three seasons in Calgary, Keczmer put up 26 points while patrolling the blueline.
#40 – Alex Tanguay (Left Wing)
Tanguay will be remembered as one of the league’s premier passers. He spent 5 seasons in Calgary starring across from Flames franchise great Jarome Iginla. His only fault as a player was sometime looking to pass too often, instead of shooting. During his time in Calgary, Tanguay piled up 284 points, 198 of those being assists. His best season came in the 2006-2007 season when he scored 22 goals and 81 points.
Honourable Mention – Fred Brathwaite (Goaltender)
Brathwaite played 3 seasons in Calgary and recorded 51 wins. He finished his time in Calgary with a .909 save percentage and a 2.54 goals-against average.
Up next we’ll take a look at the best Calgary Flames to wear jersey numbers 41-31. Be sure to check out the start of the series with jersey numbers 1-10, 11-20, & 21-30.
Main Photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
