Atlanta Flames

Last updated

Atlanta Flames
Atlanta Flames Logo.svg
Founded1972
HistoryAtlanta Flames
19721980
Calgary Flames
1980–present
Home arena Omni Coliseum
City Atlanta, Georgia
Team colorsRed, yellow and white
   
Stanley Cups 0
Conference championships0
Division championships0

The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta from 1972 until 1980. They played home games in the Omni Coliseum and were members of the West and later Patrick divisions of the National Hockey League (NHL). Along with the New York Islanders, the Flames were created in 1971 as part of the NHL's conflict with the rival World Hockey Association (WHA). The team enjoyed modest success on the ice, qualifying for the playoffs in six of its eight seasons, but failed to win a playoff series and won only two post-season games total. The franchise struggled to draw fans and, after averaging only 10,000 per game by the 1979–80 season and was sold and relocated to Alberta to become the Calgary Flames.

Contents

Eric Vail was the Flames' top goal scorer with 174 while Tom Lysiak led with 431 points. Guy Chouinard was the lone player to score 50 goals in one season. Goaltender Dan Bouchard led the team in wins (166) and shutouts (20). Two Flames players won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie: Vail in 1974–75 and Willi Plett in 1975–76. Bob MacMillan won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the most gentlemanly player in 1978–79. General manager Cliff Fletcher is the lone member of the Atlanta team to be named to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

History

Formation

Tom Lysiak (left) celebrates with Dave Shand and Harold Phillipoff after a goal against the Colorado Rockies in 1978. Atlantaflamesgoalhug.jpg
Tom Lysiak (left) celebrates with Dave Shand and Harold Phillipoff after a goal against the Colorado Rockies in 1978.

The National Hockey League (NHL), which had grown from six teams in 1966 to fourteen in 1970, had not planned further expansion until at least 1973. However, the 1971 formation of a rival major league—the World Hockey Association (WHA)—altered the NHL's plans and resulted in the two leagues battling for players and markets. [1] The NHL sought to keep the WHA out of the newly constructed Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York. [2] The league also opted to place a team in the American South. [3] The NHL announced on November 9, 1971, that it was expanding to Long Island and Atlanta. [2] The Atlanta franchise was awarded to Atlanta real estate developer Tom Cousins, who also owned the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and would play out of the newly built Omni Coliseum. [4] The team cost $6 million. [1] Cousins named the franchise the Flames in homage to the burning of Atlanta by United States Army General William Sherman during the American Civil War. [4]

The Flames hired Cliff Fletcher, formerly of the St. Louis Blues, to serve as the team's general manager. [5] Former Montreal Canadiens player Bernie Geoffrion was hired as the team's head coach. [6] The team stocked its roster via an expansion draft held on June 6, 1972. Fletcher focused on goaltending, choosing Phil Myre with his first selection and rookie Dan Bouchard with his second. [7] Fletcher drafted a competent roster, but one that was young and inexperienced. [8] Two days later, the Flames selected Jacques Richard as the second overall pick in the 1972 NHL amateur draft. [9]

1972–1975

The Flames made their NHL debut in Long Island against their expansion cousins, the New York Islanders, on October 7, 1972. They won the game 3–2; Morris Stefaniw scored the first goal in franchise history and the first NHL goal in Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. [10] The team made its home debut one week later on October 14. Hosting the first event in Omni Coliseum history, the Flames tied the Buffalo Sabres, 1–1, before a sellout crowd of 14,568. [11] The team was respectable through much of the season on the strength of Bouchard and Myre's goaltending performances, [12] and by mid-January, had a 20–19–8 win–loss–tie record. The Flames won only five more games through the rest of the season, finishing at 25–38–15. [13] Atlanta finished in seventh place in the West Division and missed the playoffs. [14] The team was reasonably successful at the gate: it sold nearly 7,000 season tickets by the start of the season, [15] and averaged 12,516 fans per game. [16]

Tom Lysiak, selected second overall at the 1973 NHL amateur draft, joined the Flames for the 1973–74 season and made an immediate impact. [17] Lysiak led the Flames in scoring with 64 points and finished second to the Islanders' Denis Potvin in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. [18] Improving to 30–34–14, the Flames finished fourth in the West and qualified for the 1974 Stanley Cup playoffs. [16] They made their post-season debut against the division-winning Philadelphia Flyers. The first game, played April 9, 1974, was a 4–1 victory for the Flyers. [19] Philadelphia went on to defeat the Flames in their best-of-seven series with four consecutive wins. [20] Geoffrion was praised for his coaching of the club and finished second in voting for the Jack Adams Award as top coach. [21]

The NHL's expansion to 18 teams in 1974–75 resulted in realignment. The league moved to a four division format, placing the Flames in the Patrick Division. [22] Lysiak repeated as the Flames' top scorer with 77 points while Eric Vail, playing his first full season, led with 39 goals. [23] Vail's total led all rookies and earned him the Calder Trophy. [24] The team overcame an eight-game losing streak in December and injuries to several key players to post their first winning season with a 34–31–15 record. [25] [26] However, they finished fourth in the Patrick Division and failed to qualify for the post-season. [14] Citing personal reasons, Geoffrion resigned as head coach late in the season. He was replaced by Fred Creighton, who had been coaching the Flames' minor league affiliate, the Omaha Knights. [27] Fletcher later credited Geoffrion's outgoing personality as being the primary reason why people in Atlanta followed the Flames in the franchise's first seasons while the team's players later stated an appreciation for Creighton's more technical coaching and teaching style. [3]

1975–1980

Eric Vail battles for position in front of the net against the Colorado Rockies in 1978. Eric vail atlanta flames 1978.jpg
Eric Vail battles for position in front of the net against the Colorado Rockies in 1978.

Creighton produced a consistent, but not outstanding team, as the Flames finished third in the Patrick for the following three seasons and typically won a few games more than they lost each year. [28] The team qualified for the playoffs all three years, but lost in the preliminary round each time. [14] In 1975–76, they were defeated by the Los Angeles Kings in a best of three series, two games to none. The Kings again eliminated the Flames in 1976–77, but Atlanta earned its first playoff victory in franchise history in the second game of the series. [20] Vail scored the game-winning goal in a 3–2 victory over the Kings on April 7, 1977, [29] but the Flames were eliminated in the third game. [20] Willi Plett, who was selected 80th overall in the 1975 draft, emerged as a young star for the Flames. He scored 33 goals in his rookie season in 1976–77 and won the Calder Trophy. [30]

Seeking to improve his team's fortunes, Fletcher made several moves over the following seasons to rework the Flames roster. His goaltending tandem of Bouchard and Myre had begun to feud with each other by the 1977–78 season as both sought more playing time. Fletcher responded by naming Bouchard his number one goaltender and trading Myre to the St. Louis Blues for three players. They made it into the playoffs again but were the only team to fall to a team with fewer points than them, the Detroit Red Wings, in a best-of-three series, two games to none. [31] In March 1979, Fletcher completed an eight player trade that sent franchise-leading scorer Tom Lysiak and four players to the Chicago Black Hawks for three players, led by defenseman Phil Russell. [32] Fletcher hoped the addition of Russell would help his team achieve playoff success. [33]

Buoyed by a franchise record ten-game winning streak in October 1978, [26] the 1978–79 Flames posted the best record in their Atlanta years at 41–31–8. [14] Bob MacMillan, acquired in the Myre deal, became the first Flame other than Lysiak to lead the team in scoring in six years and, along with Guy Chouinard, was one of the first two Flames' players to score 100 points in one season. [14] [34] Chouinard also became the team's first 50-goal scorer. [35] MacMillan won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy that season as the NHL's most gentlemanly player. [36] In the playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta again failed to win a game as they lost a best of three series two games to none. [20]

Fletcher continued to alter his team's make-up throughout the 1979–80. Al MacNeil replaced Creighton as head coach prior to the season, [37] and the team acquired Swedish star Kent Nilsson following the demise of the WHA. Nilsson led Atlanta in scoring with 40 goals and 53 assists. [38] At the 1979 NHL entry draft, Fletcher selected four players – Paul Reinhart, Jim Peplinski, Pat Riggin and Tim Hunter – who would ultimately become regulars in the Flames line up. [39] However, while the Flames again qualified for the playoffs in 1980, they again lost in the first round, losing a best-of-five series to the New York Rangers three games to one. [20]

Relocation

The Calgary Flames recognized their tenure in Atlanta by using the "Flaming A"' logo to denote alternate captains from 1996 to 2021, as seen here on Dion Phaneuf. Dion Phaneuf 2008.JPG
The Calgary Flames recognized their tenure in Atlanta by using the "Flaming A"' logo to denote alternate captains from 1996 to 2021, as seen here on Dion Phaneuf.

As the team stagnated on the ice, the Flames struggled at the gate. They peaked at an average of 14,161 fans per game in their second season, 1973–74, but fell to 12,258 three years later and then 10,500 in 1977–78. [26] Concerns that low attendance could result in the relocation of the team surfaced by 1976, prompting politicians and the players themselves to purchase tickets in a bid to stabilize the franchise. [40] The Flames attempted to boost attendance in 1980 by signing Jim Craig, goaltender of the American Olympic team that had won the Olympic gold medal following its "Miracle on Ice" victory over the Soviet Union. [41] It was not successful as attendance fell to an average of 10,024. [26] Adding to the Flames' financial woes was the fact that the Omni Coliseum was one of the last major arenas in North America to be built without revenue-generating luxury suites, which led Fletcher to describe the facility as being "out-of-date when it opened". [3]

Cousins announced he was seeking to sell the club following the Flames' exit from the playoffs. [42] Their final game, a 5–2 loss against the New York Rangers, was played in Atlanta on April 12, 1980. [43] He claimed to have suffered significant financial losses on the team while low viewership hampered his ability to sign a television contract. [42] Additionally, the real estate crunch of the 1970s hit Cousins especially hard. Most of his money not tied up in his real estate interests was tied up in the Flames, leading him to put the Flames on the market. [44] The Flames, estimated to have lost $12 million in its eight years, had been rumored for months to be moving to Calgary, though Dallas and Houston were also mentioned as possible destinations. [45] Dallas got an NHL team in 1993, when the erstwhile Minnesota North Stars relocated to the city to become the Dallas Stars.

The Seaman brothers, Daryl and Byron, had made an offer of $14 million while the City of Calgary prepared to build a new arena for the team. [46] However, Canadian businessman Nelson Skalbania emerged as a rival bidder for the team before joining the Calgary consortium. The group agreed to purchase the Flames for $16 million, at the time the highest price ever paid for an NHL franchise. [47] The sale was announced on May 21, 1980, and the franchise relocated to Canada where it became the Calgary Flames. [48] The Flames have since used the Atlanta logo for both its alternate captains, [49] and the team's former affiliate that played in the American Hockey League (AHL), the Adirondack Flames. [50]

The last Atlanta Flames player on the Calgary roster was Paul Reinhart, upon being traded to Vancouver Canucks after the 1987–88 season. The last active Atlanta Flames player in the NHL was Kent Nilsson, who returned to the NHL for six games in 1995, after spending the prior seven seasons in European leagues. Before his return to the NHL, that distinction belonged to Brad Marsh, who retired at the end of the 1992–93 season.

Several former players of the team returned to Atlanta once their careers ended. [51] Among them, Tom Lysiak operated a horse farm outside the city, [52] Eric Vail returned to operate a nightclub [53] and Willi Plett operated a sporting theme park and golf course. [30] Fletcher would remain the team's general manager until 1991, steering the team to two appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals and a Cup victory in 1989. The Flames would appear in the playoffs every year until 1991, a streak of 16 consecutive seasons dating to their fourth year in Atlanta.

The NHL returns to Atlanta, then leaves again

The NHL returned to Atlanta in 1999, when the Atlanta Thrashers joined the league as an expansion franchise. [54] The Flames and Thrashers were however in opposing conferences; this meant that the Flames, who were in the Western Conference, would play one game in Atlanta annually until the 2010–11 season, when the Thrashers announced that they were sold and relocating to Winnipeg, Manitoba, becoming the second incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets. [55] Atlanta is the only other city besides Quebec City to have lost two NHL teams, in both cases, relocating to Western Canada.

Uniform

In their eight-year history, the Atlanta Flames wore red and white uniforms with yellow accents. This set generally had contrasting color stripes with yellow borders along the sleeves, socks and tail. A red shoulder stripe adorned the white uniforms. They carried this set over to Calgary following the relocation, replacing the "flaming A" with the "flaming C" decal in front. The "flaming A" was later used by the Calgary Flames to denote alternate captains.

Coincidentally, their then-sister team Atlanta Hawks also changed their colors to red and yellow shortly after the Flames were established. They would keep this color scheme until 2007, only to be restored in 2020. The Hawks also added black as a tertiary color in 1992, with the now-Calgary Flames following suit in 1995; as of 2024, both teams currently wear black uniforms as third jerseys while their primary uniforms dropped black from the color scheme.

Season-by-season record

The Flames had a 268–260–108 regular season record, and a 2–15 playoff record. [56]

Notable personnel

Team captains

Award winners

Three members of the Flames were named recipients of NHL awards during the team's tenure in Atlanta. Eric Vail was the first, as he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top rookie in 1974–75 after scoring 39 goals and finishing with 60 points. [58] Paraguayan-born Willi Plett won the award two years later after scoring 33 goals and 23 assists in his first full NHL season. [59] Bob MacMillan was named the league's most gentlemanly player in 1978–79, which earned him the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. He finished fifth overall in league scoring with 104 points while accruing only 14 penalty minutes throughout the season. [60]

Seven players represented the Flames at the NHL All-Star Game. Randy Manery became the team's first all-star when he played in the 1973 contest. He was subsequently joined by Al McDonough (1974), Tom Lysiak (1975, 1976 and 1977), Curt Bennett (1975 and 1976), Eric Vail (1977), Bill Clement (1978) and Kent Nilsson (1980). [61]

Hockey Hall of Fame

There are four members of the Atlanta Flames organization to be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame:

No Atlanta Flames player has been inducted into the players category.

Broadcasters

All of the Flames' radio and television broadcasts were simulcasts. The Flames' games were televised over-the-air on WTCG 17 [66] and on the radio by WSB (AM). Jiggs McDonald [67] [68] was the main play-by-play announcer with Skip Caray [69] substituting from 197680. Color commentators included Andy Still (1972–73), Bob Neal (1973–74), Ed Thilenius (1974–75; home and televised games only), Bernie Geoffrion (197579), and Bobby Harper [70] (1979–80; home games only). Pete Van Wieren [71] also did play-by-play for the Flames.

Scoring leaders

These are the top ten scorers for the franchise during its time in Atlanta. [72]

Note: GP = games played, G = goals, A = assists, Pts = points, PIM = penalties in minutes

Points
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIM
Tom Lysiak C445155276431329
Eric Vail LW469174209383223
Guy Chouinard F31812616829456
Curt Bennett C405126140266190
Bob MacMillan RW2089013122150
Rey Comeau F46888126214153
Ken Houston RW35091108199332
Bill Clement C29769107176136
Willi Plett RW2969183174738
Randy Manery D37730142172242

Individual records

Single-season

Career

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lanny McDonald</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1953)

Lanny King McDonald is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies and Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played over 1,100 games during a 16-year career in which he scored 500 goals and over 1,000 points. His total of 66 goals in 1982–83 remains the Flames' franchise record for a single season. As of 2024 McDonald is the only player to be inducted in the Hockey Hall Of Fame for the Colorado Rockies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Bouchard</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Daniel Hector Bouchard is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Quebec Nordiques, and original Winnipeg Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Lysiak</span> Canadian ice hockey player (1953–2016)

Thomas James Lysiak was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Selected in the first round, second overall, of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames, he was additionally selected by the Houston Aeros in the second round of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft at 23rd overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Håkan Loob</span> Swedish ice hockey player

Håkan Per Loob is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player for Färjestad BK of the Elitserien and the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the head of European Scouting for the Calgary Flames after resigning as president of Hockey Operations for Färjestad. Considered one of the greatest Swedish hockey players of all time, he was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Swedish ice hockey Hall of Fame in 2012. The Elitserien created the Håkan Loob Trophy, awarded to the league's top goal scorer, in his honour in 2005 and Färjestad has retired his jersey number 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Reinhart</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1960)

Paul Gerard Reinhart is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL). He featured in the 1986 Stanley Cup Finals with the Flames.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Vail</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1953)

Eric Vail is a Canadian former ice hockey player who played nine seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames and Detroit Red Wings. He helped Calgary reach the 1981 NHL playoff semifinals for the first time in club history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willi Plett</span> Paraguayan-born Canadian ice hockey player

Willi Plett is a Paraguayan-born Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played 834 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Minnesota North Stars and Boston Bruins. He reached the 1981 NHL playoff semifinals with the Flames and the 1984 NHL playoff semifinals with the North Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pekka Rautakallio</span> Finnish ice hockey player and coach (born 1953)

Pekka Olavi "Rocky" Rautakallio is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman and coach. He played 14 seasons in Finland's SM-sarja and SM-liiga between 1968 and 1987 for Ässät and HIFK Helsinki, during which he was a five-time Finnish All-Star. Rautakallio was a member of Ässät's championship team that won the Kanada-malja in 1978. He was named the best defenceman of the SM-liiga in 1978, 1979 and 1986; the league later named the award the Pekka Rautakallio trophy in his honour. Internationally, Rautakallio played with the Finnish national team in seven World Championships and two Canada Cup tournaments.

The 1997–98 Calgary Flames season was the 18th National Hockey League season in Calgary. After a disappointing 1996–97 season, the Flames looked to newly hired coach Brian Sutter to return the Flames to the playoffs.

The 1988–89 Calgary Flames season was the ninth season for the Calgary Flames and 17th for the Flames franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL). They won their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top regular season club and went on to win the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history, defeating the Montreal Canadiens in the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals. Al MacInnis won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs.

The 1985–86 Calgary Flames season was the sixth season in Calgary and 14th for the Flames franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL). It was a banner season for the Flames, who overcame a franchise record eleven game losing streak to finish 2nd in the Smythe Division and captured the franchise's first Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as Campbell Conference champions. In doing so, they became the first Calgary team to reach the Stanley Cup Finals since the Calgary Tigers in 1923–24. The Flames season ended at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, who defeated Calgary in five games in the final.

The 1972–73 Atlanta Flames season was the inaugural season for the Flames' franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calgary Flames</span> National Hockey League team in Alberta, Canada

The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, and are the third major professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the Calgary Tigers (1921–1927) and Calgary Cowboys (1975–1977). The Flames are one of two NHL franchises based in Alberta, the other being the Edmonton Oilers. The cities' proximity has led to a rivalry known as the "Battle of Alberta".

References

  1. 1 2 Mellor, Bob (1971-11-09), "The start of a long war", Ottawa Citizen, p. 23, retrieved 2012-08-26
  2. 1 2 Bock, Hal (1971-11-10), "NHL admits Long Island, Atlanta; sees two more", Reading Eagle, p. 65, retrieved 2012-08-26
  3. 1 2 3 McGourty, John (2008-01-24), Former Flames recall hot times in Atlanta, National Hockey League, retrieved 2015-01-21
  4. 1 2 Boer 2006 , p. 13
  5. Boer 2006 , p. 14
  6. Blackman, Ted (1972-05-22), "Boomer wanted to quit hockey—'but I got a helluva contract'", Montreal Gazette, p. 33, retrieved 2012-08-26
  7. "Expansion clubs draft for youth", Spokane Spokesman-Review, p. 16, 1972-06-07, retrieved 2012-08-26
  8. Boer 2006 , p. 15
  9. "Habs' Sammy again runs draft show", Calgary Herald, p. 33, 1972-06-09, retrieved 2012-08-26
  10. Boer 2006 , p. 17
  11. Saladino, Tom (1972-10-16), "Omni opens in Atlanta with hockey reigning", Waycross Journal-Herald, p. P9, retrieved 2012-08-27
  12. Boer 2006 , p. 18
  13. Hanlon & Kelso 2007 , p. 144
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Hanlon & Kelso 2007 , p. 105
  15. "Atlanta opens complex", The Palm Beach Post, p. E9, 1972-10-08, retrieved 2012-08-27
  16. 1 2 Hanlon & Kelso 2007 , p. 194
  17. Tom Lysiak profile, Hockey Hall of Fame, retrieved 2012-08-27
  18. Boer 2006 , p. 22
  19. "Flyers whip Flames 4–1 in opener", Ottawa Citizen, p. 25, 1974-04-10, retrieved 2012-08-27
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 Hanlon & Kelso 2007 , p. 219
  21. Dowbiggin, Hanson & Short 1982 , p. 52
  22. "Name's the same, but little else", Spokane Spokesman-Review, p. 4, 1974-10-06, retrieved 2012-08-27
  23. Hanlon & Kelso 2007 , p. 195
  24. Ornest 1980 , p. 27
  25. Boer 2006 , p. 24
  26. 1 2 3 4 "Calgary Flames: their eight years in Atlanta", Calgary Herald, p. E10, 1980-10-08
  27. "Geoffrion resigns as Flames' coach", Albany Herald, p. 8, 1975-02-04, retrieved 2012-08-27
  28. Boer 2006 , p. 25
  29. "Flames break jinx, square series with Kings", Rome News-Tribune, p. 7A, 1977-04-08, retrieved 2014-01-21
  30. 1 2 Podnieks 2003 , p. 682
  31. Boer 2006 , p. 26
  32. "Flames trade Lysiak to Chicago", The Miami News, p. 1C, 1979-03-14, retrieved 2012-08-29
  33. Cole, Glenn (1979-03-27), "The 'Trade' still burning issue in Atlanta", Montreal Gazette, p. 17, retrieved 2012-08-29
  34. Boer 2006 , p. 27
  35. "Atlanta routs Rangers", Spokane Spokesman-Review, p. 21, 1979-04-07, retrieved 2012-08-29
  36. Hanlon & Kelso 2007 , p. 23
  37. "Flames name Al MacNeil as new coach", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, p. 12, 1979-06-08, retrieved 2012-08-29
  38. Boer 2006 , pp. 28–29
  39. Boer 2006 , p. 28
  40. "Flames buying own tickets", Florence Times, p. 10, 1976-12-22, retrieved 2012-08-29
  41. "Flames sign Jim Craig", Albany Herald, p. 1D, 1980-02-28, retrieved 2012-08-29
  42. 1 2 "Flames boss serious about selling franchise", Montreal Gazette, p. 59, 1980-04-16, retrieved 2012-08-30
  43. Boer 2006 , p. 29
  44. Sean Gentile; Michael Russo (June 5, 2023). "The NHL in Atlanta: Why Chapter 3 could be completely different". The Athletic.
  45. Wood, Larry (1980-01-15), "In deep south, these Flames are barely embers", Calgary Herald, p. C1, retrieved 2012-08-30
  46. Bilych, George (1980-04-16), "Seamans bailing Cousins from a sea of red ink", Calgary Herald, p. C1, retrieved 2012-08-30
  47. Boer 2006 , p. 37
  48. Hanlon & Kelso 2007 , p. 4
  49. Stubits, Brian (2013-08-24). "NHL All-time teams: Calgary Flames". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  50. "Flames announce Adirondack Flames as AHL affiliate". CalgaryFlames.com. 2014-05-16. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  51. Gilbertson, Wes (2011-06-01), "Ex-Flames recall Atlanta move", London Free Press, retrieved 2012-08-30
  52. Podnieks 2003 , p. 517
  53. Podnieks 2003 , p. 877
  54. El-Bashir, Tarik (June 25, 1999). "N.H.L.; Atlanta Selects Its Team Today". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  55. "Thrashers headed to Winnipeg". ESPN. May 31, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  56. "Atlanta Flames hockey team statistics and history at hockeydb.com". hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  57. 1 2 3 4 Hanlon & Kelso 2007 , p. 103
  58. Calder Memorial Trophy winner – Eric Vail, Hockey Hall of Fame, retrieved 2015-01-22
  59. Calder Memorial Trophy winner – Willi Plett, Hockey Hall of Fame, retrieved 2015-01-22
  60. Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner – Bob MacMillan, Hockey Hall of Fame, retrieved 2015-01-22
  61. Hanlon & Kelso 2007 , p. 22
  62. Paulus, Steve (August 24, 2021). "On August 24 in Rangers history: Geoffrion and Seibert into the Hall of Fame". bluelinestation.com. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  63. Cliff Fletcher biography, Hockey Hall of Fame, retrieved 2015-01-22
  64. "Pat Quinn to be Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame". CHL. June 27, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  65. Pike, Ryan (June 25, 2024). "Former Calgary Flames assistant general manager David Poile inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame". FlamesNation.ca. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  66. Turner, Burke, Ted, Bill (10 November 2008). Call Me Ted. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN   9780446543361.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  67. Astorian, Laura (May 26, 2011). "Former Atlanta Flames Broadcaster Questions Winnipeg As A Market". SB Nation.
  68. "Celebrating 50 Years of Jiggs McDonald behind the Mike". Journeys’ Portfolio.
  69. Herrmann, Mike (February 16, 2017). "Harry Caray's grandson, Josh, calls the games for Stony Brook". Newsday.
  70. "Harper To Do Flames Games". The Atlanta Constitution. Georgia, Atlanta. October 10, 1979. p. 42. Retrieved June 29, 2018 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  71. Castiglione, Lyon, Joe, Douglas B. (April 2012). Can You Believe It?: 30 Years of Insider Stories with the Boston Red Sox. Triumph Books. p. 126. ISBN   9781617496325.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  72. "NHL Stats - Atlanta Flames scoring leaders". NHL.com. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  73. 1 2 3 4 5 Ornest 1980 , p. 70
  74. 1 2 Ornest 1980 , p. 71
  75. Ornest 1980 , p. 73
  76. 1 2 3 4 Ornest 1980 , p. 67
  77. 1 2 3 Ornest 1980 , p. 74

Further reading