The
Atlanta Flames were a professional
ice hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in
AtlantaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
,
GeorgiaGeorgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL), was relocated to Calgary,
AlbertaAlberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
,
CanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the
Calgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. The NHL returned to the city with the
Atlanta ThrashersThe Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
for 1999–2000 NHL season. The Thrashers left the city for
WinnipegWinnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
,
ManitobaManitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
,
CanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 2011 to become the
Winnipeg JetsThe Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
, making Atlanta the only NHL city in the modern era to lose 2 franchises.
The team's name originated from the burning of Atlanta led by U.S. Army general William Sherman during the
American Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Formation
The Flames' history began in 1968, when businessman
Tom CousinsThomas Grady Cousins is a prominent real estate developer, sports supporter and philanthropist, primarily based in Atlanta, Georgia.-Commercial career:...
and former Georgia Governor
Carl SandersCarl Edward Sanders Sr. is an American politician who served as the 74th Governor of the state of Georgia from 1963 to 1967.Sanders was born in Augusta, Georgia and attended the University of Georgia on a football scholarship...
brought Atlanta its third major professional sports franchise, buying the
NBA'sThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
St. Louis HawksThe Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
and moving them to the city. The Hawks were in need of a venue suitable for professional sports, and as a result one was built for them: the
Omni ColiseumThe Omni Coliseum, usually called The Omni, from the Latin for "all," or "every," was an indoor arena, located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Completed in 1972, the arena seated 16,378, for basketball and 15,278, for ice hockey...
. This new facility, owned by Cousins and the rest of the Omni Sports Group
consortiumA consortium is an association of two or more individuals, companies, organizations or governments with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal....
, was the crux of the expansion bid made to the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
for a new
hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
franchise.
In November
19711971 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Gustav Thöni, Italy** Women's overall season champion: Annemarie Pröll, Austria-American football:...
, the NHL granted an expansion franchise to Cousins' group for the 1972-73 season. The NHL had not initially proposed an expansion for 1972, but hastily elected to award a franchise to
Long IslandLong Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
(the
New York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
) to keep the upstart
World Hockey AssociationThe World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
(WHA) out of the newly-built
Nassau Veterans Memorial ColiseumThe Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Uniondale, New York, United States. Home to the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League, the Coliseum is located approximately east of New York City on Long Island...
. Needing another team to balance the schedule, the NHL also awarded a team to Atlanta.
When it was first announced that Atlanta would have an NHL franchise, many hockey observers thought that a team based in the
Southern United StatesThe Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
was a ludicrous and foolish move, especially since the talent pool had been diluted by repeated expansion and the advent of the WHA. Nevertheless, the team quickly began front office operations, naming young
St. Louis BluesThe St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
assistant general manager
Cliff FletcherGeorge Clifford Fletcher is a National Hockey League executive and is a former general manager of the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Phoenix Coyotes . He is currently a Senior Advisor to the Toronto Maple Leafs...
as general manager. Soon after, Fletcher had found the team its first coach: former
Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
star forward
Bernie "Boom-Boom" GeoffrionJoseph André Bernard Geoffrion , nicknamed Boom Boom, was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. Generally considered as one of the innovators of the slapshot, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 following a 16-year career with the Montreal Canadiens and New York...
.
First and second seasons
The team was a pleasant surprise in its first season on the ice, its success built on new star
goaltenderIn ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
s
Dan BouchardDaniel Hector "Bouch" Bouchard is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League with the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets.-Career:...
and
Phil MyrePhilip Lewis Myre is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.-Playing career:Originally selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1966 NHL Entry Draft, Myre played parts of three seasons with the Canadiens. In 1971 he played 30 regular season games, and dressed for 70. However...
, solid
defensemenDefence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
such as
Randy ManeryRandy Neal Manery is a retired a Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Manery started his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1970. He would also play for the Atlanta Flames and Los Angeles Kings...
and
Pat QuinnJohn Brian Patrick Quinn , is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Edmonton Oilers. Known by the nickname "The Big Irishman",...
, and forwards
Rey ComeauRaynald Xavier Comeau is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 564 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Flames, and Colorado Rockies.- External links :...
, (captain)
Keith McCrearyVernon "Keith" McCreary was a left winger in the National Hockey League who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and Atlanta Flames.He was born in Sundridge, Ontario.-Playing career:...
,
Larry RomanchychLarry "Swoop" Romanchych is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 298 games in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks and Atlanta Flames. After playing 10 years in the NHL, Larry Romanchych retired at the age of 29 from professional hockey...
and
Bob LeiterRobert Edward "Bobby" Leiter is a retired professional ice hockey player, most notably for the Atlanta Flames of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
. Despite their inexperience as a team, the Flames were quite successful in the beginning of their rookie season, posting a 20–19–8 record by January 19, 1973 off of the personal success of their young goaltending tandem. However, they lost 19 of their last 31 games, finishing out of the playoffs. Part of the problem was that despite geographic reality (but like baseball's
Atlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
at the time), the Flames were placed in the
West DivisionThe West Division of the National Hockey League existed from 1967 until 1974 when the league realigned into two conferences of two divisions each....
, saddling them with some of the longest road trips in the league. However, their 65 points were 35 better than the Islanders, who toiled at the bottom of the
East DivisionThe East Division of the National Hockey League existed from 1967 until 1974 when the league realigned into two conferences of two divisions each....
.
On- and off-ice success continued into the Flames' second season, as they drafted
Tom LysiakThomas James Lysiak is a former professional ice hockey player. He was selected as the second overall pick in round 1 of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames, and was selected by the Houston Aeros in round 2 of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft .In each of his last two seasons at Medicine...
and
Eric VailEric "Freight Train" Vail is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played nine seasons in the National Hockey League, mostly with the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames organization, and then later in his last season he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.Vail was drafted 21st overall...
, who quickly became the team's top forwards. Lysiak led the Flames in scoring in his rookie season; the team improved to fourth in the West Division and earned their first playoff berth. In contrast, the Islanders had another wretched season. The Flames were quickly dispatched in the first round, being swept in the best-of-seven series by the eventual Stanley Cup champion
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Under Fred Creighton
The Flames' third season, 1974–75, was marked by disappointment as the team failed to qualify for the post-season. Unlike the
1973 NHL Amateur DraftThe 1973 NHL Amateur Draft, the 11th National Hockey League draft was the first to be held on a separate day from other league activities on May 15, 1973, at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec so it would not overshadow the rest of the league meetings. Previously, the league had held the...
in which Fletcher had picked immediate success from Lysiak, the
1974 draftThe 1974 NHL Amateur Draft was held via conference call at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec. In an effort to prevent the WHA from poaching players, the draft was conducted early and in secret. This failed to prevent tampering as information leaked out via agents and other sources over the three...
was notably unsuccessful (the only notable players being
Guy Chouinard Guy Camil "Gramps" Chouinard is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the 1970s and 80's for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, and St. Louis Blues...
, the youngest draft pick ever taken, and defenseman
Pat RibblePatrick Wayne Ribble is a retired Canadian ice hockey player.A defenceman, Ribble was selected in 1974 by both the Atlanta Flames of the National Hockey League and the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association. He also played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington...
). Injuries plagued the team's top veteran forwards, Leiter and Romanchych, and former first round pick
Jacques RichardJacques A. G. Richard was a professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Atlanta Flames, Buffalo Sabres, and Quebec Nordiques. After an impressive junior career, Richard was considered a potential NHL superstar, but failed to live up to the promise. Trouble...
. Late in the season popular coach Geoffrion, runner-up in the previous year's coach-of-the-year voting, resigned, forcing Fletcher to replace him with
Fred CreightonFred Creighton is a former Canadian ice hockey centre and coach. Creighton was head coach of the Atlanta Flames from 1975 to 1979 and the Boston Bruins in 1980.-External links:...
, the head coach of the team's
Central Hockey LeagueThe Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
affiliate. Geoffrion then shifted to the broadcast booth, where he joined the Flames' popular announcer
Jiggs McDonaldJohn Kenneth "Jiggs" McDonald is a sportscaster who did play-by-play announcing for NHL games for almost 40 years. In 1990, McDonald received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame....
. The season was not without bright spots, as Lysiak continued to lead the team in scoring and Vail scored a franchise record 39 goals in his first season, winning the
Calder TrophyThe Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
as the league's top rookie.
The Flames' on-ice play improved the following season under the demanding Creighton, as they recorded their first winning season and qualified for the playoffs once again. Lysiak continued to lead the team in scoring, while general manager Fletcher added depth at all positions, acquiring tough veteran forward
Bill Clement, WHA product
Claude St. SauveurClaude St. Sauveur is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 285 games in the World Hockey Association and 79 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Indianapolis Racers, Cincinnati Stingers, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Blazers, Vancouver Blazers, Calgary Cowboys,...
, scoring forward
Bill FlettWilliam Mayer "Cowboy" Flett was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Flames and Edmonton Oilers.-Playing career:Flett began his career with the Melville Millionaires of the SJHL...
, and stalwart defenseman
Larry CarriereLawrence Robert Carriere is a former ice hockey defenceman. He is currently Assistant General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens. He was drafted in the second round, 25th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft...
. Vail's sophomore season was cut short by injury. Again, the team bowed out of the post-season quickly, losing to the
Los Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
two games to none in the first round. Signs of trouble off the ice appeared for the first time as well; average attendance at the Omni had dropped by 1,000.
1976–77 was marked by the addition of noteworthy prospects from the minor league affiliate in
TulsaTulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
. Talented forward
Guy Chouinard Guy Camil "Gramps" Chouinard is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the 1970s and 80's for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, and St. Louis Blues...
had finally matured into an NHL-caliber player, and tough defenseman Ken Houston and forward
Willi PlettWilli Plett is a retired professional ice hockey right winger.Plett was born in Asunción, Paraguay to Russian-German émigré parents; the family moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada when Willi was a boy. He didn't start playing organized hockey until age 12 although once he caught on, he fell in...
began terrorizing opponents with their physical play. The team's older faces (
Pat QuinnJohn Brian Patrick Quinn , is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Edmonton Oilers. Known by the nickname "The Big Irishman",...
,
Kerry KetterKerry Kenneth Ketter is a retired ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League with the Atlanta Flames and the World Hockey Association with the Edmonton Oilers.-External links:...
,
Randy ManeryRandy Neal Manery is a retired a Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Manery started his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1970. He would also play for the Atlanta Flames and Los Angeles Kings...
,
Larry RomanchychLarry "Swoop" Romanchych is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 298 games in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks and Atlanta Flames. After playing 10 years in the NHL, Larry Romanchych retired at the age of 29 from professional hockey...
, and
Bob LeiterRobert Edward "Bobby" Leiter is a retired professional ice hockey player, most notably for the Atlanta Flames of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
among others) had been moved, making way for the young core of Lysiak, Vail, Plett, and Chouinard. Again they faced the
Los Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the first round, finally winning a playoff game but ultimately losing the hard-fought series 2 games to 1.
By 1977, outstanding young goaltender Dan Bouchard had publicly stated his desire to be the clear starting goaltender for the club, refusing to share duties with Myre. In 1978, Myre was traded to the Blues, along with high-scoring forward
Curt BennettCurt Alexander Bennett is a former American ice hockey forward, who played in the National Hockey League as well as for the United States national ice hockey team in the 1970s....
and tough blueliner
Barry GibbsBarry "Gibby" Gibbs is a former professional ice hockey defenceman.-Playing career:...
. In return, the Flames received scoring forward
Bob MacMillanRobert Lea MacMillan is a former professional ice hockey forward who played in the NHL for 11 seasons from 1974–75 until 1984–85.MacMillan was drafted 15th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft....
and defenseman
Dick RedmondRichard John "Dick" Redmond is a former NHL defenceman. He is the brother of former NHL player and Red Wings broadcaster Mickey Redmond....
. Attendance continued to fall, another 1,500 a night. Post-season success continued to elude the young Flames, as they were easily dispatched once again in the preliminary round.
1978–79 began with an impressive 12–1–2 record, the product of a 10-game winning streak. While this pace did not continue throughout the rest of the season, the Flames finished 41–31–8, good for 90 points – a new team record. While Lysiak contributed greatly to the early streak he became injured for the first time in his career, slowing his point production. He was dealt to the
Chicago Black HawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
as part of a seven-player trade which saw the Flames acquire talented Yugoslavian center
Ivan BoldirevIvan Boldirev is a retired Serbian-Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the NHL from 1970 through 1985...
, quick forward
Darcy RotaDarcy Irwin Rota is a retired professional ice hockey player who spent eleven seasons in the National Hockey League...
, and staunch defenseman Phil Russell. Chouinard finished the season with 50 goals, the only Atlanta Flame to reach the plateau, while MacMillan won the
Lady Byng Memorial TrophyThe Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"...
as the NHL's most gentlemanly player.
1979–80 would prove to be the Flames' last season in Atlanta. The team's lack of success in the playoffs led to the end of Creighton's reign as head coach; he was replaced by
Al MacNeilAllister Wences MacNeil is a former National Hockey League player and coach. He was the first person from the Maritime region of Canada to be a head coach in the NHL....
. Fletcher added more talent, including outstanding Swede
Kent NilssonKent Åke "Kenta" Nilsson is a retired professional ice hockey centre.During his NHL career he was called "Mr. Magic" and "The Magic Man"...
from the WHA, rookie defenseman
Paul ReinhartPaul Gerard Reinhart is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL.Reinhart was drafted 12th overall by the Atlanta Flames in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft...
, Finnish defenseman
Pekka RautakallioPekka Rautakallio is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who played three seasons in the National Hockey League for the Atlanta Flames and Calgary Flames.-Early years:...
and veteran forward
Don LeverDonald Richard "Cleaver" Lever is the head coach of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1972–73 until 1986–87.-Playing career:Lever was drafted 3rd overall by the...
. The team made the playoffs once again, and once again were ousted quickly.
Move to Calgary
Off the ice, the Omni Sports Group found it increasingly difficult to financially maintain the team, as ticket sales fell and operating costs rose. The team also lacked a major television deal. Also, while Omni Sports had hoped to attract an NHL team to the Omni early on, their calculations failed to include a second league in the picture. Owner, Tom Cousins' Properties lost $33 million from 1974 to 1976, when the Depression bottomed out. Business performance was so poor that it nearly ruined Tom Cousins. In 1978 he had sold his interest in the Atlanta Hawks and in 1980 would sell the Atlanta Flames to cover the 33 million in property losses.
Under the circumstances, Cousins and the rest of his consortium were very receptive to an offer from a group of
CalgaryCalgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
businessmen fronted by Canadian entrepreneur
Nelson SkalbaniaNelson M. Skalbania is a Canadian businessman from Vancouver, British Columbia best known for signing a 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky to the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association....
. Cousins sold the team for a then-NHL record $16 million, and the franchise was promptly moved to Calgary.
Kent NilssonKent Åke "Kenta" Nilsson is a retired professional ice hockey centre.During his NHL career he was called "Mr. Magic" and "The Magic Man"...
was the last active Atlanta Flame in the NHL, retiring in 1995.
The Flames made the playoffs in six of their first eight seasons, a mark bettered only by the
Quebec NordiquesThe Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
,
Edmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, and
New York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in the entire history of the NHL, and the team would not post a losing record after the 1974 season. They never won a playoff series. In Calgary, the uniform color scheme was kept, with the flaming "A" changed to a flaming "C". The team reached the
Stanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
finals in 1986 and 2004 and won the Cup in 1989.
Season-by-season record
Note:
GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
| Season |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
Pts |
GF |
GA |
PIM |
Finish |
Playoffs |
| 1972–73 |
78 |
25 |
38 |
15 |
65 |
191 |
239 |
852 |
7th, West |
Did not qualify |
| 1973–74 |
78 |
30 |
34 |
14 |
74 |
214 |
238 |
841 |
4th, West |
Lost in Quarterfinals, 0-4 (FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
) |
| 1974–75 |
80 |
34 |
31 |
15 |
83 |
243 |
233 |
915 |
4th, Patrick |
Did not qualify |
| 1975–76 |
80 |
35 |
33 |
12 |
82 |
262 |
237 |
928 |
3rd, Patrick |
Lost in Preliminary Round, 0-2 (KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
) |
| 1976–77 |
80 |
34 |
34 |
12 |
80 |
264 |
265 |
889 |
3rd, Patrick |
Lost in Preliminary Round, 1-2 (KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
) |
| 1977–78 |
80 |
34 |
27 |
19 |
87 |
274 |
252 |
984 |
3rd, Patrick |
Lost in Preliminary Round, 0-2 (Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
) |
| 1978–79 |
80 |
41 |
31 |
8 |
90 |
327 |
280 |
1158 |
4th, Patrick |
Lost in Preliminary Round, 0-2 (Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
) |
| 1979–80 |
80 |
35 |
32 |
13 |
83 |
282 |
269 |
1048 |
4th, Patrick |
Lost in Preliminary Round, 1-3 (RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
) |
| Totals |
636 |
268 |
260 |
108 |
644 |
2057 |
2013 |
7615 |
Career leaders
- Games: Rey Comeau
Raynald Xavier Comeau is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 564 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Flames, and Colorado Rockies.- External links :...
, Eric VailEric "Freight Train" Vail is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played nine seasons in the National Hockey League, mostly with the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames organization, and then later in his last season he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.Vail was drafted 21st overall...
, 469
- Goals: Vail, 174
- Assists: Tom Lysiak
Thomas James Lysiak is a former professional ice hockey player. He was selected as the second overall pick in round 1 of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames, and was selected by the Houston Aeros in round 2 of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft .In each of his last two seasons at Medicine...
, 276
- Points: Lysiak, 431
- Penalty minutes: Pat Quinn
John Brian Patrick Quinn , is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Edmonton Oilers. Known by the nickname "The Big Irishman",...
, 555
- Goaltender games: Dan Bouchard
Daniel Hector "Bouch" Bouchard is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League with the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets.-Career:...
, 384
- Goaltender wins: Bouchard, 164
- Shutouts: Bouchard, 20
Team captains
- Keith McCreary
Vernon "Keith" McCreary was a left winger in the National Hockey League who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and Atlanta Flames.He was born in Sundridge, Ontario.-Playing career:...
1972–75
- Pat Quinn
John Brian Patrick Quinn , is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Edmonton Oilers. Known by the nickname "The Big Irishman",...
1975–77
- Tom Lysiak
Thomas James Lysiak is a former professional ice hockey player. He was selected as the second overall pick in round 1 of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames, and was selected by the Houston Aeros in round 2 of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft .In each of his last two seasons at Medicine...
1977–79
- Jean Pronovost
Jean Joseph Denis Pronovost is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Flames and Washington Capitals...
1979–80
First round draft picks
Note: This list does not include selections as the Calgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
.
- 1972
The 1972 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft...
: Jacques RichardJacques A. G. Richard was a professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Atlanta Flames, Buffalo Sabres, and Quebec Nordiques. After an impressive junior career, Richard was considered a potential NHL superstar, but failed to live up to the promise. Trouble...
(second overall)
- 1973
The 1973 NHL Amateur Draft, the 11th National Hockey League draft was the first to be held on a separate day from other league activities on May 15, 1973, at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec so it would not overshadow the rest of the league meetings. Previously, the league had held the...
: Tom LysiakThomas James Lysiak is a former professional ice hockey player. He was selected as the second overall pick in round 1 of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames, and was selected by the Houston Aeros in round 2 of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft .In each of his last two seasons at Medicine...
(second overall)
- 1974
The 1974 NHL Amateur Draft was held via conference call at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec. In an effort to prevent the WHA from poaching players, the draft was conducted early and in secret. This failed to prevent tampering as information leaked out via agents and other sources over the three...
: none
- 1975
The 1975 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Flyers made the most noise at the draft, trading Bill Clement, Don McLean, and the 18th overall pick to the Washington Capitals for the number one overall selection,...
: Richard MulhernRichard Sidney Mulhern is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Before playing in the NHL, he played for the Sherbrooke Castors...
(eighth overall)
- 1976
The 1976 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec on June 1, 1976. It is notable as featuring one of the weakest first rounds in draft history, as only two players played more than 450 career NHL games. In 2002, Federko was elected into the Hockey Hall-of-Fame after...
: David ShandDavid Alistair Shand is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Drafted in 1976 by both the Atlanta Flames of the National Hockey League and the Calgary Cowboys of the World Hockey Association, Shand also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals.Shand was selected in the first...
(eighth overall) and Harold PhillipoffHarold M. Phillipoff is a former professional ice hockey left winger. He was drafted in the first round, 10th overall, by the Atlanta Flames in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft...
(10th overall)
- 1977
The 1977 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec.-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft.Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.-Round one:-Round two:...
: none
- 1978
The 1978 NHL Amateur Draft occurred at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec on June 15, 1978. It was the last draft to be called the "Amateur Draft" before the process was renamed to the NHL Entry Draft in 1979.-Selections by round:...
: Brad MarshCharles Bradley Marsh is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators.-Playing career:Originally selected by the...
(11th overall)
- 1979
The 1979 NHL Entry Draft took place on August 9, 1979, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. The National Hockey League teams selected 126 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1978–79 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the list of those...
: Paul ReinhartPaul Gerard Reinhart is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL.Reinhart was drafted 12th overall by the Atlanta Flames in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft...
(12th overall)
Scoring leaders
These are the top ten scorers for the franchise during its time in Atlanta.
Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes
| Player | POS | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Tom Lysiak Thomas James Lysiak is a former professional ice hockey player. He was selected as the second overall pick in round 1 of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames, and was selected by the Houston Aeros in round 2 of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft .In each of his last two seasons at Medicine...
|
C |
445 |
155 |
276 |
431 |
329 |
Eric VailEric "Freight Train" Vail is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played nine seasons in the National Hockey League, mostly with the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames organization, and then later in his last season he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.Vail was drafted 21st overall...
|
LW |
469 |
174 |
209 |
383 |
223 |
| Guy Chouinard Guy Camil "Gramps" Chouinard is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the 1970s and 80's for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, and St. Louis Blues...
|
F |
318 |
126 |
168 |
294 |
56 |
| Curt Bennett Curt Alexander Bennett is a former American ice hockey forward, who played in the National Hockey League as well as for the United States national ice hockey team in the 1970s....
|
C |
405 |
126 |
140 |
266 |
190 |
| Bob MacMillan Robert Lea MacMillan is a former professional ice hockey forward who played in the NHL for 11 seasons from 1974–75 until 1984–85.MacMillan was drafted 15th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft....
|
RW |
208 |
90 |
131 |
221 |
50 |
| Rey Comeau Raynald Xavier Comeau is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 564 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Flames, and Colorado Rockies.- External links :...
|
F |
468 |
88 |
126 |
214 |
153 |
| Ken Houston |
RW |
350 |
91 |
108 |
199 |
332 |
| Bill Clement |
C |
297 |
69 |
107 |
176 |
136 |
| Willi Plett Willi Plett is a retired professional ice hockey right winger.Plett was born in Asunción, Paraguay to Russian-German émigré parents; the family moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada when Willi was a boy. He didn't start playing organized hockey until age 12 although once he caught on, he fell in...
|
RW |
296 |
91 |
83 |
174 |
738 |
| Randy Manery Randy Neal Manery is a retired a Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Manery started his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1970. He would also play for the Atlanta Flames and Los Angeles Kings...
|
D |
377 |
30 |
142 |
172 |
242 |
Records
- Most goals in a season: Guy Chouinard
Guy Camil "Gramps" Chouinard is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the 1970s and 80's for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, and St. Louis Blues...
, 50 (1978–79)
- Most assists in a season: Bob MacMillan
Robert Lea MacMillan is a former professional ice hockey forward who played in the NHL for 11 seasons from 1974–75 until 1984–85.MacMillan was drafted 15th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft....
, 71 (1978–79)
- Most points in a season: Bob MacMillan, 108 (1978–79)
- Most penalty minutes in a season: Willi Plett
Willi Plett is a retired professional ice hockey right winger.Plett was born in Asunción, Paraguay to Russian-German émigré parents; the family moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada when Willi was a boy. He didn't start playing organized hockey until age 12 although once he caught on, he fell in...
, 231 (1979–80)
- Most points in a season, defenseman: Ken Houston, 54 (1979–80)
- Most points in a season, rookie: Tom Lysiak
Thomas James Lysiak is a former professional ice hockey player. He was selected as the second overall pick in round 1 of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames, and was selected by the Houston Aeros in round 2 of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft .In each of his last two seasons at Medicine...
, 64 (1973–74)
- Most wins in a season: Dan Bouchard
Daniel Hector "Bouch" Bouchard is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League with the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets.-Career:...
, 32 (1978–79)
See also
- Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
- Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
- List of Atlanta Flames players
- List of Atlanta Flames head coaches