- 1974
- 1980
-
Atlanta Flames Team Formation
It announced on November 9, 1971, that it was expanding to Long Island and Atlanta. The Atlanta franchise was awarded to Tom Cousins, who also owned the Atlanta Hawks basketball team, and would play out of the Omni Coliseum. The team cost $6 million. -
Move to Calgary
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 – 1974, but fell to 12,258 three years later and then 10,500 in 1977 – 1978. Concerns that low attendance could result in the relocation of the team surfaced by 1976, prompting ...
History of the Flames
The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia from 1972 until 1980. They played out of 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 post-season 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 in 1979 - 1980, was sold and relocated to Alberta to become the Calgary Flames.
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 franchise held a name-the-team contest, but according to Stephen Laroche’s book “Changing the Game: A History of NHL Expansion,” Flames was on 198 of 10,000 ballots. Tom Cousins, the franchise’s first owner, chose it to reference the burning of Atlanta by General William T. Sherman during the Civil War.
Championship
Stanley Cup 0
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
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.
Retired Number
9 / Lanny McDonald
12 / Jarome Iginla
30 / Mike Vernon
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history
