2006 Calgary Flames

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Anaheim Ducks, winners of the Western Conference Finals, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Calgary Flames for the amazing season they had, finishing 3rd in the savagely competitive Northwest Division!

The Calgary Flames have returned for the 2006-2007 NHL season, and you’ll want tickets to the Pengrowth Saddledome to cheer them on! The Flames have one of the best defenses in the league, and with strong performances in recent seasons, Calgary is definitely a team to watch this winter. With veterans like Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay alongside a host of up-and-comers, you won't want to miss a moment of the action.

The Calgary Flames had an excellent 2005-06, finishing at the top of the Northwest Division, although the Anaheim Ducks eliminated them from the NHL playoffs. Despite that fine showing, the Flames’ All Star team captain, Jarome Iginla, was not satisfied with his own performance and is looking to return to the 50-plus goals and 90-plus points he managed in 2001-02. A key addition to Calgary’s left side, with Iginla on the right, is Alex Tanguay, who should also contribute to the point total.

Calgary led the league in defense last year, allowing only 200 goals to be scored against them. Get your Calgary Flames tickets for 2006-07 and see if they can maintain Coach Darryl Sutter’s defense-first strategy while adding goals and victories to their own column.

The Calgary Flames began life as the Atlanta Flames in 1972, and despite being an expansion team when the World Hockey Association was stealing players from the NHL, the Flames earned playoff berths in six of their first eight seasons. Big money lured the Flames to Calgary in 1980, where the team has continued to have success, including a Stanley Cup victory in 1989.

The club's early stars included right wing Bob MacMillan and centers Curt Bennett and Tom Lysiak. In the 1980-81 season, the Flames' first year in Calgary, center Kent Nilsson collected a franchise-record 131 points, and the club won its first postseason series. The Flames advanced to the Stanley Cup semifinals before losing to the Minnesota North Stars.

In 1986, under head coach Bob Johnson, Calgary upset the defending-champion Edmonton Oilers in the division finals, and the Flames went on to make their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. Facing the Montreal Canadiens, the Flames won the first game but lost the next four. In 1989, under head coach Terry Crisp, Calgary returned to the Stanley Cup Finals and defeated the Canadiens 4 games to 2. The Flames' lineup featured several NHL All-Star team members, including wings Hakan Loob and Joe Mullen; defensemen Gary Suter, Al MacInnis, and Brad McCrimmon; center Joe Nieuwendyk; and goalie Mike Vernon. That year Vernon ranked first in the league in wins; MacInnis scored a league-high 31 playoff points and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason's most valuable player (MVP).

In the 1990s the Flames earned several division titles and reached the playoffs numerous times, but they failed to advance far in the postseason. In 1995 the team traded Vernon to the Detroit Red Wings. Outstanding Calgary team members of the 1990s included right wing Theoren Fleury, left wing Gary Roberts, and goaltender Trevor Kidd.