MACKENZIE WEEGAR
MESSAGE FROM THE
PUBLISHER
Welcome to the first issue of the Calgary Hockey Magazine for the 2025-26 season!
In this edition, we have a special feature on MacKenzie Weegar, who is in the third year of his 8-year $50 million deal with the Calgary Flames. Weegar earned an invite to Canada’s National Teams Orientation Camp in August, and while a longshot to make Team Canada for the 2026 Olympics, he deserves to be in the discussion.
We also have a feature on Brett Sutter, the new head coach for the Calgary Wranglers. Sutter has strong roots in Calgary, playing three seasons with the Flames, when his father Darryl was the GM, and his uncle Brent was the head coach.
We also got the opportunity to catch up with the Flames first round pick, Cole Reschny, who made the interesting decision to depart from the WHL, to play with the University of North Dakota in the NCAA.
Last but not least, we have a very cool article about a group of 18 Calgary Flames hockey fans who are aptly known as the Fabulous Flames Fans. This group of fans resides at the The Edward, a luxury seniors centre in Marda Loop, and they are more than hockey fans – they give back to the community. On a recent visit with the FFF (Fabulous Flames Fans), they made a special announcement that they would be donating $4,000.00 to the Calgary Junior Flames Programme. And joining them for this presentation was popular Flames alumni Tim Hunter, who brought some cowbells and flags for the FFF to cheer on their favourite team.
That’s all until our next issue of the magazine, our Winter Edition, which is due out in January. If you have any story ideas for the magazine, please send them our way!
ROB SUGGITT I Publisher Calgary Hockey Magazine
10177 - 105 Street, Edmonton AB T5J 1E2
Ph: 780.423.5834
President & Publisher: Rob Suggitt
Graphic Designer: Kate Suggitt
Contributing Writer: Jeremy Freeborn
Copy Editing: Michele Suggitt
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Accounting Manager: Amber-Lea Grmek
Cover Photo Provided By:
Gerry Thomas - Calgary Flames Hockey Club
Photography Credits:
Gerry Thomas - Calgary Flames Hockey Club
David Moll - Calgary Wranglers Hockey Club
Kevin Light Photography
Mark Doerksen
North Dakota Athletics
The Calgary Hockey Magazine is published by Suggitt Publishers
Proudly Printed in Canada
FLAMES DEFENSE:
MACKENZIE WEEGAR THE FACE OF THE
BY JEREMY FREEBORN
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GERRY THOMAS
wWhen the Flames acquired Mackenzie Weegar of Ottawa, Ontario and Jonathan Huberdeau of Saint-Jerome, Quebec on July 22, 2022, the intention of Flames management was evident. They selected players who wanted to be in Calgary and be committed to Calgary for the long term. Twelve days after trading for Huberdeau, the Flames first line left winger signed a whopping eight-year contract extension worth $84 million. Then two months later, the Flames signed Weegar to an eight-year contract too, as the slick blueliner inked a contract worth $50 million.
Huberdeau and Weegar came to Calgary in a blockbuster deal with the Florida Panthers that saw Matthew Tkachuk be traded the other way. In addition to Huberdeau and Weegar, the Flames received centre Cole Schwindt of Breslau, Ontario. There were also two draft picks involved. The Flames received the Panthers’ first round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft (selected centre Cullen Potter out of Arizona State), and the Panthers received the Flames’s fourth round pick in 2024 (selected Danish left winger Mads Kongsbak Klyvo).
Weegar is entering his fourth season in Calgary after six seasons with the Panthers. In 2024-25, it was actually on special teams where he showed his possible greatest improvement. Weegar set a career high with 21 power-play points and tied a career high with two shorthanded points.
CALGARY FLAMES HOCKEY CLUB
“
It is what you dream of as a kid. When I got traded here, you kind of realize as a young kid growing up in Canada, and seeing how much the game means to everybody in Canada, it means a lot to me having the chance to play in front of Canadian fans.
“
In 81 games, Weegar had eight goals and 39 assists for 47 points. He was a very impressive +18 with 184 shots on goal.
During Flames training camp, I had the opportunity to interview Weegar on his time in Calgary to date, his impact in the Calgary community, and what he intends to accomplish with the Flames this season.
When asked what he has been the most proud of so far in Calgary, Weegar offered the following response.
“The culture change,” he stated. “From when I first got here, there were a lot of guys leaving. Now, it’s guys staying and wanting to be here. That is what I am the most proud of. Fans want to see guys sticking around.”
In the month of September, the Flames re-signed forward Connor Zary and goaltender Dustin Wolf to long term contract extensions. Being from Ottawa, it is very special for Weegar to be a member of a Canadian-based NHL franchise.
“It’s awesome,” beams Weegar. “It is what you dream of as a kid. When I got traded here, you kind of realize as a young kid growing up in Canada, and seeing how much the game means to everybody in Canada, it means a lot to me having the chance to play in front of Canadian fans.”
Last season the Flames came within a whisker of making the postseason. They in fact had the same number of points (96) as the St. Louis Blues for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, it was the Blues and not the Flames that were postseason bound. St. Louis had 32 regulation wins, while the Flames had 31.
With the Flames having 15 more points in 2024-25 than 2023-24, Weegar realizes that expectations are higher this season.
“It is a lot of internal expectations,” explains Weegar. “We are all pushing ourselves to be one to four points better than last year. The team’s expectations are to make a push for the playoffs. We set a good expectation around the league where we are a tough team to play against. Our practices are a lot more intense than last year.”
In the ESPN Power Rankings to start the season, the Flames are ranked 18th in the NHL, and ninth in the West, just outside of a playoff spot again. Weegar was asked in the media scrum if it bothers him that the Flames are not necessarily getting the respect that they deserve.
“It bugs me for about a minute,” says Weegar. “I don’t mind seeing that kind of stuff. For me it kind of motivates me. It has been like that for a while. It doesn’t really change.”
Heading into the season, the Flames are not the only thing on his mind when it comes to hockey. Weegar would like to make the Canadian Olympic team after receiving an invite to the Orientaton Camp.
“This year I have a little bit of extra motivation, and a little bit of extra jump in my step. I have talked to others that if I want to make that team and I want to push for that team, I am only going to help out the Calgary Flames. That Orientation Camp was absolutely huge for me. It made me want to make that team even more.”
In order for Weegar to have an effective season, he needs to be engaged physically. This past season, he was fifth in the entire NHL in blocked shots with 192, and 17th in hits with a career-high 223.
“If I feel I can contribute by blocking shots and creating hits, it goes a long way, and it trickles down to the entire team.”
Weegar has high praise of two teammates also on the blueline, Joel Hanley and Kevin Bahl.
“Bahl is a younger guy (age 24), and Hanley is an older guy (age 33). It’s cool to see an over-age guy take a step. It motivates me to see an older age defenseman than me get into his prime. It is awesome to see. We have great chemistry together. Bahler is approaching his prime. He’s got
a great stick and a big body (6’6”, 230 pounds). I think he has found his home here. He’s comfortable playing here, and it is super exciting seeing those two guys take another jump.”
In the community, Weegar is very active as well. The charities he is involved with include Parachutes for Pets, the Centre for Suicide Prevention and CGY Champs. Parachutes for Pets is a program that helps veterans, seniors, the homeless, foster children, and domestic violence victims either stay with their pets, or receive an emergency pet in a time of need. The program helps these people with acquiring pet food. CGY Champs is an online program for Calgary students learn about the importance of health, wellness, social and emotional skills.
“I think that is a big part. I think it starts off with our captain, Mikael Backlund, who introduced me to the charities around town. I love trying to make a difference in people’s lives. Calgary is a great community. You get to meet so many tremendous people.”
For Calgary minor hockey players, Weegar has the following message: Dream big. Never give up on yourself. Push yourself, and love your parents. They are driving you around everywhere. They are waking up early and driving you to the rink. For me it was not an easy road. There were times where you might not see the end of the tunnel. Just keep pushing yourself.
This season, Weegar would love to help the Flames get into the playoffs. He does not like to make individual goals, but would love to represent Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/ Cortina d’Ampezzo.
CALGARY ARENA LOCATOR MAP
The Calgary Hockey Magazine is distributed to all of the listed Calgary arenas. The magazine is also available at Safeway, and the following COOP locations:
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ARENA ADDRESSES
Acadia Rec. Centre 240 - 90th Avenue SE
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Flames Community Arenas 2390 - 47th Avenue SW
Frank McCool Arena 1900 Lake Bonavista Drive SE
Jack Setters Arena 2020 - 69th Avenue SE
Max Bell Centre 1001 Barlow Trail SE
Shouldice Arena 1515 Home Road NW
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Stu Peppard Arena 5300 - 19th Street SW
Trico Centre 11150 Bonaventure Drive SE Mount Pleasant Sportsplex 610 - 23rd Avenue NW
Father David Bauer Olympic Arena 2424 University Drive NW
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Rose Kohn / Jimmie Condon Arena
502 Heritage Drive SW
Thorncliffe / Greenview 5600 Centre Street NW
Murray Copot Arena 6715 Centre Street NW
Village Square Arenas 2623 - 56th Street NE
Westside Regional Rec. Centre 2000 - 69th Street SW
Huntington Hills Arena 520 - 78 Avenue NW
Triwood Arena 2244 Chicoutimi Drive NW
Crowchild Twin Arenas 185 Scenic Acres Drive
Oakridge 9504 Oakfield Drive SW
CATCHING UP WITH THE FLAMES FIRST ROUND PICK
COLE
RESCHNY
BY JEREMY FREEBORN
wWhen the Calgary Flames selected Cole Reschny with their first round pick, 18th overall, in the 2025 National Hockey League Entry Draft, there was a lot of excitement in the organization. The Flames had acquired a center with a lot of promise and overall skill.
The native of Macklin, Saskatchewan had a breakout season in the Western Hockey League in 2024-25. In only 62 games, Reschny led the Victoria Royals in scoring with 92 points (26 goals and 66 assists). He was also 10th in scoring in the WHL.
The fact that Reschny was still available with the 18th pick thrilled Flames General Manager Craig Conroy. What impresses Conroy the most is Reschny’s play in the defensive zone, and the fact he is not afraid of the big moments.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH DAKOTA ATHLETICS
In the offseason, Reschny made an interesting decision. He decided to leave the WHL for the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Reschny committed to the University of North Dakota, and followed in the footsteps of junior hockey phenom Gavin McKenna of Whitehorse, Yukon (the projected first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft) who left the Medicine Hat Tigers in the offseason for Penn State.
On September 25, I had an opportunity to speak to Cole, who was settling into a series of practices in Grand Forks before the 2025-26 college season started south of the border. This was a new experience for Reschny, but he was excited for the challenge. The reason for Reschny’s move was simple. Having the opportunity to play against older players would prepare him better for the next level. Still, the choice was very difficult for Reschny.
“This was a really tough decision for me,” states Cole. “Leaving a place I was familiar with and a place I have had a lot of success. Victoria was a home for me for two years. UND reached out, and we started to talk a lot. They flew me out for a visit. I had an opportunity to see the campus. The locker room, gym and accommodation were absolutely unbelievable. Coming to North Dakota was the right thing for me. From a hockey side of things, I thought it was a step I needed to take.”
Reschny was thrilled to be drafted by the Flames organization. “Words cannot even describe the feeling,” stated Reschny. “This is something I have been working for my whole life. It is a dream come true. I am lucky to be drafted by such a great organization like Calgary. It’s awesome with a cherry on top. It means the world. I am very thankful and excited to see what the future holds.”
Reschny is from the small town of Macklin, Saskatchewan, which has a population of 1247. The town has a hockey rink and a baseball diamond, and that is where Reschny spent a significant amount of time. Just 15 minutes outside of Macklin, Reschny’s grandparents owned a farm, where Reschny also spent a lot of time.
“It is the place that shaped me to who I am today. There was a lot of travel, but I loved growing up there.”
At the age of three or four, Cole remembered first playing hockey with older brother Austin and his father. Austin has a Calgary connection too as he is currently a forward for the SAIT Trojans, and is taking business administration. Cole’s younger brother Anderson was recently drafted by the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, and is currently playing in the U18 level this season with the Saskatoon Blazers.
Cole played minor hockey for the Macklin Mohawks, the West Central Wheat Kings out of Kindersley, the Northern Alberta Xtreme of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, and the Saskatoon Blazers. Also with the Blazers, Cole won the bronze medal at the 2023 Telus Cup in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.
Shortly after, Cole was drafted third overall in the 2022 WHL Draft. He was selected behind McKenna and Calgary native Jackson Smith. Interestingly, Smith has joined McKenna at Penn State, which means all three players are no longer in the WHL.
There are two players currently from Saskatchewan on the Flames roster. Connor Zary, the Flames first round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, is from Saskatoon, and defenseman Brayden Pachal is from Estevan. Reschny says Zary is a better person than he is a player. “It is pretty cool to look up to someone like that. He is from Saskatchewan too. Seeing the things he has done, and the path he took, was pretty exciting. He is going to be a pretty good player, and better than he already is.”
Ever since I was a little boy, I have loved the game so much. This is something I have lived for. There is a lot of work ahead of me. “ “
On the international stage, Reschny has had the opportunity to represent Canada. He won the gold medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton and the 2025 World U-18 Hockey Championship in Texas. In the quarterfinals of the World U18’s, Reschny had one of the most memorable goals of his career. He scored from his former Victoria Royals teammate Keaton Verhoeff of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta at 2:41 of overtime in a 3-2 Canada win over Czechia. Verhoeff has joined Reschny at North Dakota this year.
“It was a tight game,” recalls Reschny, who scored on a two-on-one, and received a perfect pass from Verhoeff. “I was lucky enough to get out there. It was a huge goal for us and a goal I will never forget.”
Heading into this season, Reschny explains what his immediate goals are.
“I have a lot of goals in mind. The main ones are to get stronger, learning to play against bigger guys, learning to navigate around the ice, and still be very efficient. Getting better every single day is my goal and part of the process I have in mind. I am trying to have the best year possible, and win a national championship.”
There are two players Reschny has idolized over the years. They are St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn, and Calgary native Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Reschny likes Schenn’s aggressive style of play, and the fact that Point made it to the NHL despite being undersized.
Reschny is excited what the future has in store.
“Ever since I was a little boy, I have loved the game so much. This is something I have lived for. There is a lot of work ahead of me.”
There is nothing Reschny wants to achieve more than to bring a Stanley Cup to Calgary!
PHOTO BY KEVIN LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
NAMED
BEGINNING A NEW CHAPTER: BRETT SUTTER WRANGLERS NEW HEAD COACH
BY JEREMY FREEBORN
BBrett Sutter is continuing a family tradition in Calgary this upcoming 2025-26 hockey season. He will be behind the bench and the man in charge of a professional hockey team in Calgary. On June 20, Brett was named the new head coach of the Calgary Wranglers of the American Hockey League.
The Sutter hockey family, who hail from Viking, Alberta, has become synonymous with hockey in Calgary. Brett’s father Darryl was the head coach and general manager of the Flames from 2002 to 2006. He was also the Flames general manager from 2003 to 2010, before returning to the Flames as their head coach from 2020 to 2023. Brett’s uncle Brian was the Flames head coach from 1997 to 2000. Brett’s other uncle Brent was the Flames head coach from 2009 to 2012.
The Sutter family has had other hockey roles as well with the Flames. Brett’s uncle Duane was the Flames Director of Player Personnel for three seasons from 2008 to 2011, and Brett’s uncle Ron played for the Flames during the 2000-01 season, before working in the Flames organization for 20 years from 2001 to 2021 as a pro scout, development coach and director of player development.
Meanwhile, Brett’s cousin Shaun (son of Brian) played two seasons with the Calgary Hitmen from 1999 to 2001, Brett’s cousins Brody (son of Duane) and Riley (son of Ron) reached as high as midget while playing in Calgary, as they both played for the Calgary Buffaloes. Brett has been involved in many roles already in hockey in Calgary. He played three years for the Flames from 2008 to 2010 when his father was the Flames’ general manager and his uncle Brent was the Flames’ head coach. Brett was also the captain of the Wranglers in his final two seasons of professional hockey from 2022 to 2024. When Brett retired from playing hockey, he was immediately hired as as an assistant coach with the Wranglers on July 16, 2024.
Brett’s promotion within the Wranglers organization came at a time when Trent Cull was promoted within the Flames organization. Last season Cull was the head coach of the Wranglers, and this season he will be an assistant coach of the Flames.
In early July, Calgary Hockey Magazine caught up with Brett during Flames development camp at the Markin MacPhail Centre. My first question for Brett was how excited was he about his new role this season.
“Really excited,” stated Brett. “You know this is an organization I care deeply about. I have been part of the organization for a long time over parts of two stints. I am excited for the challenge. I am excited to work with this excellent group of young men to take on the challenge and the opportunity.”
Brett was the sixth round pick, 179th overall, by the Flames in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He played his junior hockey career with the Kootenay Ice and Red Deer Rebels from 2003 to 2007. While with the Rebels, Brett was the team captain during the 2006-07 Western Hockey League season. In an interesting note, Brett’s uncle Brent was the Rebels owner, president, general manager and head coach at the time.
Brett’s first stint with the Flames organization came as a checking-line forward to begin his National Hockey League career. One of his attributes was the fact he was a multi-positional forward as he was comfortable at centre and left wing. In 18 games with the Flames from 2008 to 2010, Brett had one goal and one assist for two points. He was a -4 with 12 penalty minutes, one shorthanded point, 18 shots on goal, 13 faceoff wins, four blocked shots, 12 hits, one takeaway, and four giveaways.
The first goal Brett ever scored in the NHL came in his first NHL game. Brett tied the game at two from Craig Conroy (ironically the current Flames general manager) and Mark Giordano at 3:59 of the second period in a 4-3 Flames win over the Anaheim Ducks on December 23, 2008.
PHOTO BY DAVID MOLL I CALGARY WRANGLERS HOCKEY CLUB
Brett has fond memories of this game on the eve of Christmas Eve. “This is something I dreamed of my whole life. It was a long wait and when I finally got that game, I was ecstatic. To do it here in Calgary, in front of friends and family was amazing. Scoring a goal was the icing on the cake.”
Brett’s lone assist with the Flames came on October 10, 2010 in a 3-1 Flames win over the Los Angeles Kings. Sutter set up Curtis Glencross on a shorthanded goal to open the scoring.
After Brett’s time with the Flames as a player, he was traded by the Flames to the Carolina Hurricanes with defenseman Ian White for defenseman Anton Babchuk and right winger Tom Kostpoulos on November 17, 2010. Like his time in Calgary where he split his time in the NHL and American Hockey League (played with the Quad City Flames and Abbotsford Heat), Brett played a significant amont of time with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers (255 games) from 2010 to 2014 while with the Hurricanes organization. In three seasons with the Checkers, Brett was known for his leadership role as he was the Checkers captain.
Brett then spent two seasons in the Minnesota Wild organization where he also played for the Iowa Wild from 2014 to 2016. After that Brett played seven seasons with the Ontario Reign (top minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings) from 2016 to 2022, where he was the captain for five seasons.
When Brett returned to the Flames organization in 2022, he was a regular contributor to the Wranglers over two seasons. He had 22 goals and 17 assists for 39 points with 80 penalty minutes in 116 games.
When you consider the fact that Brett’s father and uncles made the seamless transition fom playing to coaching, it should have come as zero surprise that Brett found a coaching job so quickly after his professional playing career was over. If there was one thing Brent, Darryl and Brian all had in common as coaches, they demanded a high work ethic from their players. When I asked Brett what are the similarities and differences to his coaching style compared to his father and uncles, he offered the following response.
“I have been called up, sent down, had injuries, had a good night and a bad night,” says Brett. “I think it is nice for them to know I have been through the grinds and been through the battles of the ups and the downs of a long season, and I think that is something the players do respect. I am going to lean into that for myself.”
Brett also has the benefit of being in an organization where the NHL and AHL franchise are in the same location—the Scotiabank Saddledome.
“The game has changed a lot,” explains Brett. “For me communication
I can lean on the Flames staff when they are making changes. We want to learn as much as we can from those guys, and set up our players for success when they play for the Flames. The communication and resources we have available with the development staff and management group has been great. “
“
with young players is going to be huge. But then again, hockey is a simple game. You want everyone to know exactly where they stand, what their job is, and their clearest path forward for them to have success, and have success with our team. I think it is not overcomplicating things, as much as it is to find a simple way to create solutions, and then you have success together.”
As an assistant coach with the Wranglers last season, there were times when Brett did consult his family on how to deal with certain players and how to deal with specific situations. Remember, Darryl won two Stanley Cups as a head coach with the Kings, and reached the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals coaching the Flames.
“It’s always good to pick their brains,” states Brett. He wanted to point out that it is not just family members he consults. Brett also relies on opinions of former coaches he has had along the way.
Brett discusses the transition he experienced from being player to coach.
“I think after you have a long playing career, it is about adjusting to the lifestyle of being a coach,” claims Brett. “For me, it is about getting better everyday, and never be too stubborn to learn something new. You learn something new everyday. It is no different than being a player. It is never too late to get better.”
As a coach Brett will use his playing experience as an asset. He feels that there are not too many situations he has not seen as a player, which will benefit him as the Wranglers coach this season.
“It is great. I can lean on the Flames staff when they are making changes. We want to learn as much as we can from those guys, and set up our players for success when they play for the Flames. The communication and resources we have available with the development staff and management group has been great. It is a huge benefit to our staff and to our players.”
In conclusion, Brett states his goals for the 2025-26 season.
“First and foremost we have to create a winning culture for the Wranglers, and help develop these young men into good NHL players. For us that is an everyday challenge, and something we are going to do as a coaching staff, and as players, is to push ourselves to be better everyday. I have to continue to grow as a coach and as a person everyday. It is never too late to learn more and that is what I plan on doing.”
The Sutter coaching tradition is continuing. It will be fascinating to watch Brett’s progression as a coach in the coming years.
TFabulous
flames Fans
BY JEREMY FREEBORN
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARK DOERKSEN
The great thing about hockey is the fact that hockey fans come from all ages. I first watched hockey and football sitting on my grandma’s knee, and I can remember the time when my grandpa explained to me on a piece of paper what offside was. The game of hockey has been passed down throughout Canada from generation to generation.
On April 9, I had the opportunity to watch the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks with a group of enthusiastic Flames fans at The Edward, a luxury seniors centre in Marda Loop. This group of 18 women call themselves “The Fabulous Flames Fans,” and come together to watch all Flames games at the Edward’s Marda Theatre. As one of the fans told me, “we watch all the games. We even have Amazon Prime.”
The group started as four people from the fourth floor. As other residents at the Edward started to realize what an outstanding opportunity it was to watch the Flames in a state-of-the-art theatre, the group gradually increased by 14.
The Fabulous Flames Fans are more than just Flames fans. They are hockey fans. On this night, there was a special press conference prior to the game. The Fabulous Flames Fans announced that they would donate $4000 to the Hockey Calgary Junior Flames Programme. The group will be paying the registration fees for 20 underprivileged minor hockey league players. According to David Czaja, the son of the Fabulous Flames Fans captain and founder Jean Czaja, it has always
been Jean’s dream to own a hockey team. Now with the assistance of Hockey Calgary, and the Calgary Flames Alumni, she has been given this chance at the remarkable age of 91.
Representing the Calgary Flames on this special night was Calgary native Tim Hunter, who was one of the most popular Flames players in the 1980s. The reason why he was so popular is because he was one of the NHL’s top enforcers. In 545 games with the Flames from 1981 to 1992, Hunter had 2405 penalty minutes. He even led the NHL with 361 penalty minutes in 1986-87, and 375 penalty minutes on the Flames franchise that won the 1989 Stanley Cup. This was the only Stanley Cup title in the history of the Flames organization.
When I asked Tim about the importance of the evening, he offered the following response:
“ “
It is all about being in the community. That is what the Flames do and that is to give back to the community. Here, we have fans, we have kids, and people who want to share. It is so cool that they are so entrenched in being fans, that they want to give back to these young kids. They are helping them with their hockey program, and helping the Flames Foundation and Alumni with our hockey program. All the funds the Flames raise from the 50/50 goes back to the community. It is a great endeavour.
Being a Calgarian, it is always nice to see things like this happen in our community.
In representing the Flames alumni, Hunter made sure that the Fabulous Flames Fans had cowbells and flags to cheer the favourite team on, not just for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, but 202526 season too.
In speaking with Jean, she has been a hockey fan for eight decades. She first remembers listening to the game of hockey with her grandmother, who was born on July 1, 1867, the day Canada first became a country. Jean then played hockey while attending university in Winnipeg from 1950 to 1952. “It was hilarious. Not one member of our team could lift the puck. We had a goalie who couldn’t skate. We wheeled her out, put skates on her, and gave her a stick. Nobody could score on her because we couldn’t lift the puck. I personally, hated the equipment. I could not get used to the equipment. Those were my early hockey memories.”
Jean has lived in Calgary five separate times and remembers attending the first Flames game ever at the Stampede Corral on October 9, 1980. The Flames and Quebec Nordiques played to a 5-5 tie. Kent Nilsson
was the Flames star in this contest, as he had two goals and two assists for four points. Jean also clearly remembers attending the first game Jarome Iginla ever played on April 21, 1996. This game had significance as the Flames played the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Jean was very complimentary of Hunter for taking the time to watch the game with the group. It was also very special for Jean to see his 1989 Stanley Cup ring.
Being part of this group is also very significant for June Schnell. When I asked her how meaningful it was to be a member of the Fabulous Flames Fans, she offered the following response. “It is just wonderful and fantastic. It is so much fun. I can’t believe it.”
One other guest at the Edward is Denis Fonteyne. He is the brother of former NHL left winger Val Fonteyne of Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Val played 13 National Hockey League seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins from 1959 to 1972. I had the opportunity to briefly speak to Denis and his interesting hockey stories. Denis had the thrill of practicing with his brother and legendary Gordie Howe in Detroit during various practices at the Detroit Olympia, the historic stadium for the Detroit Red Wings.
As for the Fabulous Flames fans, they recently traveled to the Scotiabank Saddledome to watch the Junior Flames. The passion for hockey of this outstanding group of Calgarians is remarkable, and their energy is definitely a fabulous story!
Fourteen of the Fabulous Flames Fans have a favourite player or two. They are listed below:
Fan Favourite Flame
Gerry Bamber
Leila Bergen
Irene Breland
Karen Bremner
Bernice Chelsey
Jean Czaja
Eva Danyluk
Ingelore Johnson
June Schnell
Ruth Scott
Liz Spanier
Audrey Thorner
Faylene Valdes
Tracy Yake
Ryan Lomberg, Dustin Wolf
Ryan Lomberg, Dustin Wolf
Morgan Frost
Ryan Lomberg, Morgan Frost
Dustin Wolf, Adam Klapka
Joel Hanley, Yegor Sharangovich
Martin Pospisil
MacKenzie Weegar
Matt Coronato, Jake Bean
MacKenzie Weegar
Ryan Lomberg, Adam Klapka
Rasmus Andersson, Morgan Frost
All the Players!
MacKenzie Weegar
