Through two 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 #21 – 30. 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: 21 – 30
#21 – Olli Jokinen (Centre)
Olli Jokinen was acquired by the Flames during the 2009 season in hopes of becoming a #1 centre to play alongside Jarome Iginla. Unfortunately, the two never meshed well and the Flames would ship Jokinen to New York late in 2010. During that summer Jokinen returned as a free agent. He never quite lived up to the expectations in Calgary but still managed to put up 165 points in his 4 seasons in Calgary.
Honourable Mention – Andrew Ference (Defenceman)
Ference was in Calgary for 4 season, suiting up for 163 games. He was a steady bottom-pairing defenceman who helped the Flames reach the 2004 Stanely Cup Finals. Following his time in Calgary Ference would join the Bruins where he eventually helped win a Stanley Cup.
#22 – Craig Conroy (Centre)
308 points in 507 career games with the Calgary Flames. Conroy was a solid two-way centre who played well alongside franchise great Jarome Iginla. He was a key contributor during the Flames run to the Stanley Cup in 2004. His best offensive season as a Flame came in 2001-2002 when he scored 27 goals and 48 assists, both career highs. Following retirement, Conroy joined the Flames staff as a scout and has worked his way up to becoming the current general manager. His upbeat attitude and great personality with the media have made him a fan favourite.
Honourable Mention – Daymond Langkow (Centre)
Langkow was a solid top-six forward during his time in Calgary. Over his 6 seasons, he accumulated 288 points.
#23 – Sean Monahan (Centre)
Drafted 6th overall by the Flames in the 2013 NHL entry draft, Monahan had an immediate impact for the Flames. He made the Calgary Flames the following year and would play a full season in the NHL. Monahan would form eventually form a great duo with Flames star Johnny Gaudreau. The two would become the Flames’ top line for nearly a decade. Monahan’s best offensive season came in the 2018-2019 season where he put up 82 points. During his 9 years in Calgary, he would score 30 goals 3 times and was known for his quick release from the low slot.
Honourable Mention – Martin Gélinas (Centre)
A bit of recency bias here, as Gélinas only played 2 seasons in Calgary, but his impact on the 2004 Stanley Cup run just can’t be ignored. Gélinas scored 3 series clinching goals en route to the Stanley Cup finals, including two overtime winners. If you asked Flames fans, he actually scored 4 series clinching after a controversial no-goal in game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals.
#24 – Jim Peplinski (Right Wing)
Peplinski played his entire career for the Calgary Flames. From 1980 to 1995 he played 711 games and scored 424 points. Peplinski was a member of the 1989 Stanley Cup-winning team. Peplinski would retire the all-time leader in games played for the franchise and is still an active member in the Calgary community through his work with Calgary Flames Alumni.
Honourable Mention – Jiří Hudler (Right Wing)
Hudler played 4 total seasons in Calgary. During his time with the Flames he played in top six role. His best season as a Flames came in 2014-2015 when he scored 76 points, including 31 goals.
#25 – Joe Nieuwendyk (Centre)
Nieuwendyk was drafted in the second round by the Calgary Flames in the 1985 NHL entry draft. He would get off to a great start winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie with a 92-point, 51-goal season. Over his 9 seasons in Calgary, he racked up an impressive 616 points in just 577 games. Nieuwendyk helped the Flames capture a Stanley Cup in the 1989 season, scoring 10 goals in 20 playoff games.
Honourable Mention – Jacob Markström (Goaltender)
Markstrom signed in Calgary as free-agent in the summer of 2020. At the time he was one of the best goaltenders in the league and he provided the Flames with a true number 1 goaltender. His best season in Calgary came in 2021-2022 when he finished as a runner up to win the Vezina Trophy.
#26 –Robert Reichel (Centre)
Reichel began his NHL career with Calgary in the 1990-1991 season. He would go on to have 2 40-goal seasons in Calgary, and a career best 93 point season in 1993-1994. Riechel was a skilled forward who provided the Flames with plenty of offensive during his 6 seasons in Calgary. He finished his time in Calgary with 354 points in 425 career games.
Honourable Mention – Michael Stone (Defenceman)
Stone played parts of 7 seasons in Calgary. He was primarily used as a 6th-7th defenceman which meant he missed many games as a healthy scratch. However, when Stone was asked to suit up you could always count on his solid defensive game. He was a reliable penalty killer and also had a powerful slap shot from the point which earned him power play minutes on the second unit.
#27 –Eric Vail (Left Wing)
Vail was drafted by the Atlanta Flames in 1973. The following season he would win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie, scoring 39 goals and 60 points. He was known for having one of the best shots in the league and nearly averaged 30 goals a season during his time with the franchise. Vail would move with the team to Calgary before being traded to Detroit.
Honourable Mention – Dougie Hamilton (Defenceman)
Hamilton was a solid top-four defenceman for the Flames during his 3 seasons in Calgary. The smooth-skating defenceman was capable of logging big minutes and had good offensive instincts. He showed signs of being a franchise type defenceman, but instead he would be shipped to Carolina as part of a deal that brought Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm to Calgary.
#28 – Robyn Regehr (Defenceman)
Regehr played 826 games for the Calgary Flames over 11 seasons. He was a key defender for the Flames 2004 Stanley Cup run, tasked with shutting down the other team’s top offensive players. He was a solid defensive defenceman over his time in Calgary who brought physicality and toughness to the team. Regehr was respected by opponents and loved by teammates and fans during his time in Calgary.
Honourable Mention – Elias Lindholm (Centre)
Lindholm played 6 seasons in Calgary after joining the Flames via trade from Carolina. He was the team’s top centre during his time in Calgary. He brought a complete 200-foot game which included power play and penalty kill time. His best season came in 2021-2022 when he scored 42 goals and 82 points.
#29 – Joel Otto (Centre)
Otto played 11 seasons for the Calgary Flames, finishing with 428 points. Otto was a sound defensive forward for the Flames and a two-time finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward. Otto helped the Flames capture their only Stanley Cup in 1989. His best offensive season came in 1985-1986 when he scored 25 goals and 59 points.
Honourable Mention – Jamie McLennan (Goaltender)
Noodles didn’t play much during his 3 seasons in Calgary, as he backed up Flames great Miikka Kiprusoff. However, his personality made him a fan favourite and he deserves some credit for supporting Kiprusoff.
#30 – Mike Vernon (Goaltender)
After 13 total seasons in Calgary, Mike Vernon’s number 30 rightfully hangs from the Saddledome rafters. He tended goal for 527 games in Calgary winning 262, which ranks the second-most all-time in team history. He posted 13 career shutouts and helped lead the Flames to their 1989 Stanley Cup win.
Honourable Mention – Dan Bouchard (Goaltender)
In 9 seasons with Atlanta/Calgary Flames Bouchard played 398 games in goal and posted 168 total wins.
Up next we’ll take a look at the best Calgary Flames to wear jersey numbers 31-40. Be sure to check out the start of the series with jersey numbers 1-10 & 11-20.
Main Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
