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The Calgary Flames also works hard to contribute in the areas of education, health, medical research, recreation, and amateur sports.
Flames hockey came to us by way of Atlanta, Georgia, USA, but our city has transformed the team into a Stanley Cup winner and a purely local phenomenon.
In June of 1972, a group of investors purchased a National Hockey League franchise and called the new team the
The name choice may seem odd to anyone well versed in American Civil War history, but although flames played a big part in destroying the city as Sherman made his historic march through Georgia, they also represented the rebirth of Atlanta that occurred after they were extinguished.
In 1980, a group of Calgary investors purchased the franchise, moved the team to Calgary, changed the fiery “A” emblem to one featuring a “C” inside flames, and renamed the team the Calgary Flames.
This newly christened team played 146 games in an impressive three seasons in the 7,242-seat Stampede Corral, losing only 28 regular season games and four playoff games before moving to the nearby Pengrowth Saddledome at 555 Saddledome Rise SE.
Renovated in 1995, the “Dome” has a capacity of 18,742 and still serves as home ground for the Calgary Flames.
Over the years, ownership of the team has shifted several times but remains in the hands of locals who also manage the Saddledome and the junior ice hockey team, the Calgary Hitmen.
Along with changes in name, location, and ownership, the Flames underwent a number of evolutions in uniform color and design before the 2003-04-season revival of the red home sweater gave the National Hockey League a top-selling merchandise item and made the “Sea of Red” a classic hockey icon.
Inside these red uniforms are hockey players who give Calgary sports fans a great game to watch with every visit to the local stadium.
During their twenty-seven years in Calgary, the team players have skated their way to success as one of the top-ranking franchises in the National Hockey League.
two First Overall President’s Trophies for 1987-88 and 1988-89;
three Clarence Campbell Conference titles for 1985-86, 1988-89, and 2003-04;
three First-in-Division season championships;
two Pacific Division titles and a Northwest Division title (2005-06);
and two Smythe Division playoff championships.
Without a doubt, however, the highlight of this Calgary team’s career is defeating the Montreal Canadians to win the Stanley Cup championship for 1988-89.
The team has given Calgary a lot more than the recognition earned through these sports accomplishments.
Over the years, the Calgary Flames and the Flames Foundation have worked hard to make positive contributions in the areas of education, health, medical research, recreation, and amateur sports.
Since the team’s move to Calgary, these two organizations have generated more than $25 million in funds for projects that benefit southern Alberta.
Building upon a long tradition of teamwork, the Flames Foundation for Life recently partnered with the Rotary Club to create the Rotary Flames Gift to the Community, which will donate $10 million to community causes over a five-year period.
The team also devotes considerable time and resources to hockey education and development, through a financial assistance fund for minor hockey and various programs for the sport that include minor hockey team tours of the Calgary Flames dressing rooms, hospital clinics, Minor Hockey Week, and Coaching Day in Alberta.
The city of Calgary embraced this team from Atlanta, making it a force to be reckoned with on the ice and a resource for positive change in the community.
Visit The Calgary Flames Website for tickets, and then come to the the Saddledome to see what makes Calgary Flames hockey so special.
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