The Calgary Flames history reflects decades of passion, skill, and unforgettable moments in professional hockey. Since their move from Atlanta in 1980, the team has grown into a powerhouse of Calgary Flames hockey, known for thrilling games, fierce rivalries, and a loyal fan base that has supported them through every milestone and championship pursuit.
Established
1972
City
Atlanta – Calgary
League History
1972 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
1980 – Present / Calgary Flames
1972 – 1980 / Atlanta Flames
Nickname
Flames – The Calgary Flames have been a staple of the NHL since their inception in 1980. With such a long history, it’s no surprise that the team has an interesting story behind its nickname. The name “Flames” was chosen to represent the city of Calgary and its Western heritage.
Calgary is located near Alberta's Rocky Mountains, home to some of Canada's most famous wildfires. As such, flames were seen as an appropriate symbol for this region – one that could appropriately capture both the beauty and danger associated with these fires. Additionally, there is also some speculation that former owner Harley Hotchkiss may have chosen this name because his hometown hockey team (the Atlanta Flames) had recently relocated from Georgia to Alberta in the 1979-1980 season, just before he purchased ownership rights for what would become known as the Calgary Flames franchise.
Calgary Flames Origin
In addition to representing local culture and tradition through their nickname choice, The Flaming C logo was designed by then-owner Daryl "Doc" Seaman, who wanted something unique yet recognizable enough for fans across North America. It features red lettering on a yellow circular background with orange flame accents - all colors representing fire itself! This logo has become synonymous with our beloved hockey club and our great city over time; you can often find people wearing apparel featuring this iconic design throughout town or at any game night!
Choosing “Flames” as their official moniker paid homage locally and nationally while still allowing them to create something uniquely theirs: A fiery representation that reminds us why we love cheering on our favorite NHL team so much each year!
Championship
Stanley Cup 1
1989
Arena
1983 – Present / Scotiabank Saddledome
1980 – 1983 / Stampede Corral
*Atlanta*
1972 – 1980 / Omni Coliseum
Owner
1980 – Present / Calgary Flames Limited Partnership
1972 – 1980 / Tom Cousins
- 1980
- 1983
- 1989
Moving to Calgary
Cousins announced that he was seeking to sell the club following the Flames’ exit from the playoffs. He claimed to have suffered significant financial losses on the team while low viewership hampered his ability to sign a television contract for the team. The team, estimated to have lost $12 million in its eight years, had been rumored for months to ...
Olympic Saddledome Opens
In 1983, the Flames moved into their new home, the Olympic Saddledome, now known as the Scotiabank Saddledome. Located on the grounds of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, the Saddledome was built as a venue for the 1988 Winter Olympics. In three seasons in the Corral, the Flames lost only 32 home games. The Saddledome hosted the 37th NHL All-Star ...
Stanley Cup Winner 1989
The 1989 Stanley Cup Final was between the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens, the top two teams during the 1988–89 NHL regular season. As of 2012, this is the most recent time that the first two seeds met in the Stanley Cup Final, as the New Jersey Devils had one win less than the Detroit Red Wings in 2000 ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Calgary Flames History
The Calgary Flames history begins with a franchise that has become one of the most recognized names in professional hockey. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the team plays in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally founded in 1972, the franchise began as the Atlanta Flames before relocating to Alberta in 1980. This move cemented their place in Calgary Flames hockey, creating a loyal fan base and an enduring rivalry with their former identity, the Atlanta Flames.
During their early seasons in the NHL, the Flames quickly proved themselves to be competitive, even reaching the Stanley Cup Finals before falling to the Montreal Canadiens. Over time, the Calgary Flames history grew richer, highlighted by five division titles and two conference championships. Their greatest triumph came in the 1988–89 season when they defeated the Canadiens to win their first and only Stanley Cup, ending the long wait since the team’s founding years.
The roster throughout the years has featured some of the greatest names in Calgary Flames hockey. Al MacInnis set records for most points scored by a defenseman in a single game, while Lanny McDonald’s trademark mustache became a symbol of the franchise. Theo Fleury dominated team scoring during the late 1990s, and Jarome Iginla, drafted 11th overall in 1995, became the face of the team and one of the most beloved players in Calgary Flames history.
Flames Achievements
The Calgary Flames hockey legacy also includes several key achievements beyond the Stanley Cup. They’ve made multiple deep playoff runs, including a memorable trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2004, where they battled the Tampa Bay Lightning in a seven-game thriller. The Flames’ resilience and style of play in that series remain a proud chapter in Calgary Flames history.
Today, the Calgary Flames history continues to grow as new stars emerge and the team remains a perennial contender in the NHL. Their passionate fan base, combined with the organization’s commitment to success, ensures that Calgary Flames hockey will remain an integral part of the league’s story for decades to come.
Retired Number
9 / Lanny McDonald
12 / Jarome Iginla
30 / Mike Vernon
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history