The Atlanta Flames franchise was founded in 1972 before relocating and becoming the Calgary Flames in 1980. Over the past 52 seasons, the organization has seen many players dawn the Flaming C. From truly iconic to just okay, let’s take a look at the Best Calgary Flames by jersey number. The players will be evaluated 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: #1-10
#1 –Réjean Lemelin (Goaltender)
As with most teams, the #1 has been exclusively reserved for goaltenders, and Lemelin was the first to wear it in Calgary. Coming to Calgary with the franchise when they moved from Atlanta, Lemelin racked up 144 wins in 323 games for the franchise. He played with the franchise as they went from expansion to contender and left just 2 seasons before the only Stanley Cup in team history.
Honourable Mention: Roman Turek (Goaltender)
Roman Turek played for 3 seasons in Calgary putting .906 save percentage. The second-highest all-time for goalies who have worn the #1. While also owning the best GAA of 2.51 of all Flames goalies who have worn that jersey number. Turek is most notably remembered as the goaltender who got injured, prompting the Flames to go out and acquire Miikka Kiprusoff.
#2 – Al MacInnis (Defenceman)
Al MacInnis scored 213 goals and 822 points in 803 games during his 13 seasons with the Calgary Flames. During his time with the Flames MacInnis was a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the best defenceman in the league for three consecutive years despite never winning. His time in Calgary culminated with a Conn Smythe Trophy when he helped lead the Flames to their only Stanley Cup in 1989. During that playoff run, MacInnis put up 31 points in 22 games en route to victory. His jersey rightfully now hangs in the rafters.
Honourable Mention: Mike Commodore (Defenceman)
Best known for his crazy red hair and beard. Commodore became a fan favourite during the 2003-2004 run to the Stanley Cup finals. He remains a fan favourite in the city to this day.
#3 – Dion Phaneuf (Defenceman)
Drafted 9th overall by the Flames in the 2003 draft, Phaneuf came into the league with a ton of hype. He could skate, shoot, and loved to throw his weight around. As highlighted by the infamous “Double Dion” from the 2005 World Juniors. During his time in Calgary Phaneuf put up 228 points in 378 games and provided plenty of highlights. Unfortunately he struggled in this final season with the Flames. That combined with some internal locker room disputes lead to him being traded to the Maple Leafs.
Honourable Mention: Pat Quinn (Defenceman)
Best known for his legendary coaching career, Pat Quinn played the majority of his NHL career with the Atlanta Flames. He put up 99 points, and 555 penalty minutes in his 5 seasons with the franchise.
#4 – Rasmus Andersson (Defenceman)
An active member of the Flames, Rasmus Andersson has played his entire 8-year career with the Calgary Flames. Fans have watched him grow from a young prospect to an everyday top-four defenceman. He’s put up 200 points, including 36 goals in his 455 games in Calgary. A leader and assistant captain, Andersson has been a key contributor to the Flames limited success during his career.
Honourable Mention: Jay Bouwmeester (Defenceman)
Bouwmeester led the team in ice time playing over 25 minutes a night and broke the record for most consecutive games played by a defenceman when he played his 486th consecutive game on March 15, 2011. Unfortunately for Boumeester and the Flames, he also held the active record for the most games played without reaching the playoffs, which continued during his 4 seasons in Calgary.
#5 – Mark Giordano (Defenceman)
15 seasons and 949 games played for the organization are a huge feat on their own. Giordano went undrafted and played time in Russia before becoming a full-time NHLer. Despite his unconventional route to the league, Giordano will go down as one of the best defenceman to ever play in Calgary. His 509 points rank third all-time by a defencemen in franchise history. He also won the 2019 Norris trophy, the only player to win this award in franchise history. Giordano’s impact was felt on and off the ice, as he was heavily involved in the community and won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2020. Giordano will be remembered fondly by Flames fans for his hard work on and off the ice.
Honourable Mention: Dana Murzyn (Defenceman)
Murzyn helped lead the Flames to their only Stanley Cup victory in franchise history while playing 4 seasons in Calgary. He is still active in the community with the Flames Alumni.
#6 – Phil Housley (Defenceman)
Housley played two stints in Calgary. Originally coming to Calgary as part of the trade for Al MacInnis he played 328 games for the Flames and racked up 238 points. Housley was a solid and productive Flame and his time in Calgary helped cement his Hall of Fame career.
Honourable Mention: Cory Sarich (Defenceman)
After winning a cup against Calgary with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, Sarich joined the Flames a few seasons later. He played in Calgary for 6 seasons and was a dependable and physical defenceman. He will be forever remembered for his massive hit on Patrick Marleau during the 2008 playoffs.
#7 – T.J. Brodie (Defenceman)
Brodie was drafted in the 4th round of the 2008 draft by the Calgary Flames. He would play a total of 10 seasons with the Flames as was known for being a smooth-skating defenceman who played opposite Mark Giordano on the Flames top pairing for many years. Brodie played a total of 634 games and tallied 266 points during his time with the Flames.
Honourable Mention: Guy Chouinard (Centre)
Chouinard played 9 of 10 seasons in the NHL with the Atlanta/Calgary franchise. He racked up 529 points in 514 games, scoring at more than a point-per-game pace.
#8 – Valeri Bure (Right Wing)
Bure was an offensive star who could skate and score. He provided plenty of highlights during his time with the FlamesBure scored over 25 goals in all 3 of his full seasons with the Flames, including a career-high 35 goals and 70 points in the 1999-2000 season. He would eventually ask for a trade out of Calgary, after disagreements with coaches before injuries would end his career.
Honourable Mention: Chris Tanev (Defenceman)
Chris Tanev doesn’t make this list for any stats you can find on record. Tanev is the type of player every fan can’t help but love. He makes his teammates better and leaves it all on the ice. Nothing sums up Chris Tanev better than him willingly putting his body and face on the line to block a shot.
#9 – Lanny McDonald (Right Wing)
When your jersey hangs from the rafters as Lanny’s does at the Saddledome, there really isn’t much that needs to be said. Lanny and his iconic mustache helped lead the Flames to their first and only Stanley Cup in 1989. McDonald played 8 total seasons for the Flames and scored 215 goals over 492 games, including an incredible 66 goals in a single season. McDonald would win a Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for qualities of perseverance and sportsmanship, as well as a King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership and humanitarian efforts. These traits have continued after Lanny’s playing days through his community work with the Calgary Flames Alumni and he will forever be a hero in this city.
Honourable Mention: Jean Pronovost (Right Wing)
Pronovost only played 2 seasons with the Atlanta Flames, but he managed to put 110 points in just 155 career games.
#10 – Gary Roberts (Left Wing)
Roberts was drafted 12th overall by the Flames in 1984. Roberts would make his NHL debut during the 1986-87 season and helped contribute to the Flames 1989 Stanley Cup win. During his 10 seasons in Calgary, Roberts scored 257 goals and 505 points in 585 career games. Roberts’ best year with the Flames was during the 1991-92 season where he managed 90 points including 53 goals.
Honourable Mention: Brian McGrattan (Right Wing)
Jonathan Huberdeau is the most talented player to wear the jersey #10 since Gary Roberts, but unfortunately for Huberdeau, his first two seasons in Calgary have been underwhelming. This is why I’m selecting Big Ern as the second-best to wear the #10 in Calgary. One of the last true enforcers to play for the franchise. He was a fan favourite who endeared himself to the fans with his fights and signature salute.
Up next we’ll take a look at the best Calgary Flames to wear jersey numbers 11-20. Also, be sure to check out other teams and how their franchises compare.
Main Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
