In our start to the best Calgary Flames by jersey number series we saw two Hall of Fame players, Al MacInnis and Lanny McDonald. In our second round, we will see more all-time great players including arguably the best Calgary Flame of all time. As with round one, 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: #11-20
#11 – Mikael Backlund (Centre)
Backlund is just 10 games shy of playing in his 1,000th career NHL game, all of which have been with the Calgary Flames. The current Flames captain was drafted in the first round of the 2007 NHL entry draft by Calgary. He has now played in 16 NHL seasons scoring 531 points. He has been a reliable two-way centre for the Flames, often being tasked with shutting down the other team’s best line. Backlund won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and humanitarian contribution in 2022-2023 and has been a great ambassador for the Calgary Flames. In an upcoming season that likely won’t see much success on the ice, honouring Backlund for playing his 1,000th game in Calgary will be one bright spot.
Honourable Mention – Colin Patterson (Winger)
Patterson put up 187 points in 7 seasons with the Calgary Flames. He was a member of the Calgary Flames’ 1989 Stanley Cup-winning team and continues to be involved in the community through his work with the Calgary Flames Alumni.
#12 – Jarome Iginla (Right Wing)
A two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner for leading the league in goals. An Art Ross Trophy winner for leading the league in points. A Ted Lindsey Award winner as the most outstanding player as voted by the NHLPA. An Olympic Gold Medalist, King Clancy Award winner for leadership and humanitarian contributions, and Mark Messier Leadership Award winner, all during his 16 years with the Calgary Flames. All time points (1095), goals (525), and games played (1219) leader for the franchise. Just his stats and accolades are enough to crown him the best Flame of all time, but he was so much more. A heart and soul player who played with physicality and wasn’t afraid to drop the mitts when needed. He was a true class act on and off the ice and an excellent role model. He did everything and then some you want in a franchise player.
Honourable Mention – Håkan Loob (Right Wing)
Loob spent his entire 6 year NHL career with the Calgary Flames. Scoring 193 goals and 236 assists in his 450 games with the franchise.
#13 – Johnny Gaudreau (Left Wing)
The 4th round draft pick overcame doubts about his small stature with his quick turns and elite puck handling. Over his 9 seasons with the Calgary Flames he scored at over a point-per-game pace. He finished his time in Calgary with 609 points in 602 games. His best statistical season with the Flames came in his final season where he put up 115 points and 40 goals. Following this season, Gaudreau would break the hearts of Flames Fans by leaving to join the Columbus Blue Jackets in free agency. Some fans may never forgive Gaudreau for leaving, but the reality is Johnny Hockey made it fun to come watch hockey at the Saddledome and he was an elite player for this franchise.
Honourable Mention – Mike Cammalleri (Centre/Wing)
Cammalleri played a total of 4 seasons with the Flames. He provided much-needed goal scoring for a team that didn’t score a ton. Cammalleri posted 89 goals and 178 points in his 216 career games in Calgary.
#14 – Theo Fleury (Right Wing)
Fleury is sometimes remembered more for his off-ice struggles than what he accomplished on it. Theo battled demons in his personal life and his story has become well-known. Because of this, his on-ice abilities are sometimes overlooked. Fleury scored at more than a point-per-game pace over his 15-year career. This includes 830 points during his 11 years in Calgary. The second most all-time. He was full of passion on the ice providing Flames fans with plenty of highlights and cheers during his time in Calgary. Theo has a legitimate Hall of Fame case and his jersey should be retired by the Flames.
Honourable Mention – Kent Nilsson (Centre)
Nilsson played 6 years for the Flames organization and currently sits 7th on the all-time scoring list with 562 points. Nilsson also holds the franchise record for most points in a single season with 131.
#15 – Neil Sheehy (Defenceman)
The fact here is there isn’t much star power when it comes to jersey #15 and the Calgary Flames. Though some big names have worn the number they didn’t stick around long enough to have much of an impact. Sheehy may have worn the number the longest, playing for 6 seasons in Calgary. He was known as a physical defensive player and helped the Flames make their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1986.
Honourable Mention – Martin St. Louis & Brett Hull
These two Hall of Famers played only 126 total games combined in Calgary, but on name recognition alone they get the nod. Neither one had much of an impact on the Flames, but it’s still fun, or maybe painful, to remember they both started as Flames.
#16 – Cory Stillman (Left Wing)
Stillman was selected 6th overall by the Flames in the 1992 draft. He would go on to play his first 7 seasons with the Flames. Stillman scored 235 points in his 393 games, including three 20-goal seasons during his time in Calgary. He would then go on to play another 9 NHL seasons and back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2004 and 2005.
Honourable Mention – Craig Berube (Left Wing)
The now Maple Leafs head coach played 4 seasons with the Calgary Flames. Berube played the role of enforcer and piled up 628 penalty minutes in 234 games.
#17 – Rene Bourque (Right Wing)
Bourque had two 27-goal campaigns during his 4 seasons in Calgary. He was a productive goal scorer on a team that struggled to score, netting goals in over half the games he played. He finished his time in Calgary with 164 points in 249 games played.
Honourable Mention – Milan Lucic (Left Wing)
Lucic came to Calgary in a swap of bad contacts with the Edmonton Oilers. He brought intimidation and physical play to the Flames during his 4-season with the franchise. Most importantly, Lucic provided a player fans loved to cheer for.
#18 – Matt Stajan (Centre)
Stajan came to Calgary as part of the deal that sent Dion Phaneuf to the Maple Leafs. He struggled offensively in his time with the Flames but managed to find a role as a solid third and fourth-line centre for the franchise over 9 seasons. His best offensive season with Calgary saw him score 14 goals and 33 points. He is now a member of the Calgary Flames Alumni and an active member of the community.
Honourable Mention – Matthew Lombardi (Centre)
Every season felt like Lombardi was just on the cusp of having a breakout year. Unfortunately, he was never able to reach his full potential. His best season with the Flames came in 2006-2007 when he scored 20 goals and 46 points. He will always be remembered for his breakaway speed.
#19 – Matthew Tkachuk (Left Wing)
The recently crowned Stanley Cup champion was once poised to become a future captain and face of the Flames franchise. Tkachuk scored 382 points in 431 games during his time in Calgary. His most potent offensive season saw him score 40 goals and 104 points. Tkachuk left Calgary in a blockbustre deal with Florida that saw Jonathan Huberdeau & MacKenzie Weegar come to Calgary. Some fans will never forgive Tkachuk for leaving the organization, but during his 6 seasons in Calgary, he provided fans with plenty of cheer about. He helped to reignite the Battle of Alberta with his agitating style of play and made the Flames a legitimate contender.
Honourable Mention – Tim Hunter (Right Wing)
11 seasons, 545 games played, and 2405 penalty minutes. The penalty minutes tell you all you need to know about Hunter’s style of play. A fierce competitor and feared enforcer, Hunter played a tough old-school brand of hockey that helped lead the Flames to their only Stanley Cup victory.
#20 – Gary Suter (Defenceman)
A member of the Flames for 9 seasons, Suter was an all-around great defenceman from the minute he arrived in Calgary. Suter won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie with a 68-point campaign as a defenceman. He was part of the 1989 Stanley Cup winning team, though he missed much of the playoffs with a broken jaw. Over his 617 games played in Calgary Suter tallied 564 points.
Honourable Mention – Curtis Glencross (Centre/Wing)
Glencross bounced around the league before finding a home in Calgary. He was a good skater with a solid 200-foot game. Glencross played up and down the Flames lineup for 7 seasons. He finished his time in Calgary with 114 goals and 242 points. He was a class act on and off the ice, a good leader, and a fan favourite for his hard work and professionalism.
Up next we’ll take a look at the best Calgary Flames to wear jersey numbers 21-30. Be sure to check out part one in the series, jersey numbers #1-10, and be sure to check out other teams and how their franchises compare.
Main Photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
