1996–97 Calgary Flames season

NHLTeamSeason
Season=1996–97
Team=Calgary Flames
Conference=Western
ConferenceRank=10th
Division=Pacific
DivisionRank=5th
Record=32–41–9
HomeRecord=21–18–2
RoadRecord=11–23–7
GoalsFor=214 (23rd)
GoalsAgainst=239 (12th)
GeneralManager=Al Coates
Coach=Pierre Page
Captain=Theoren Fleury
AltCaptain= "Unknown"
"Unknown"
Arena=Canadian Airlines Saddledome
Attendance=17,089
GoalsLeader=Theoren Fleury (29)
AssistsLeader=Theoren Fleury (38)
PointsLeader=Theoren Fleury (67)
PIMLeader=Todd Simpson (208)
WinsLeader=Trevor Kidd (21)
GAALeader=Trevor Kidd (2.84)

The 1996–97 Calgary Flames season was the 17th National Hockey League season in Calgary. It was another season of decline, as the Flames began the rebuilding process after remaining near the top of the league standings for nearly a decade. Finishing 5th in the Pacific Division, the Flames missed the playoffs for the first time since the 1991–92 season, and for only the second time since coming to Calgary.Year-by-year results, "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg. 106]

As a result of missing the playoffs, the Flames fired head coach Pierre Page following the season, replacing him with rookie Don Hay. Page ended his Flames career with a coaching record of 66–78–20. His .463 winning percentage was, at the time, the worst for any coach in Flames history. [Head Coaches, "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg. 103]

On November 23, 1996, rugged forward Sasha Lakovic authored one of the more memorable moments in the history of the Battle of Alberta when he attempted to leap over the glass at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton to attack a drunken fan who had reached over the barrier to dump a beer on the head of Flames assistant coach Guy Lapointe. Lakovic, who was held back by his team-mates from going into the crowd, was suspended two games, while the Edmonton Oilers were fined $20,000 for having inadequate security. [Francis, Eric, [http://www.canoe.ca/Slam030919/col_francis-sun.html The Uncivil War] , Calgary Sun, September 19, 2003, accessed January 26, 2007]

Theoren Fleury was named to the Western Conference team at the 47th National Hockey League All-Star Game, where he recorded an assist.All-Star Selections, "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg. 22]

Rookie forward Jarome Iginla, acquired the previous season in a trade for Joe Nieuwendyk led all NHL rookies in scoring at 50 points. [1996–97 season, "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg. 115] . Despite his success, Iginla failed to win the Calder Memorial Trophy, as defenceman Bryan Berard was voted the league's top rookie. Iginla was named to the All-Rookie team, however.

The Flames allowed the most shorthanded goals in the league in 1996–97, with 19.

Regular season

eason standings

December

Overall: 3–7–3; Home: 1–3–2; Road: 2–4–1

March

Overall: 6–5–1; Home: 3–2–0; Road: 3–3–1

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Calgary. Stats reflect time with the Flames only.

Goaltenders

"Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Average"
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Draft picks

Calgary's picks at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, held in St. Louis, Missouri. [ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/teams/dr000043.html Calgary Flames draft history] , hockeydb.com, accessed January 12, 2007]

Farm teams

Saint John Flames

The Baby Flames finished the 1996–97 American Hockey League season in second place in the Canadian Division with a 28–36–13–3 record. They were defeated in three games to two by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the first round of the playoffs, however. [ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=AHL1941&season=1997&leaguenm=AHL 1997–98 AHL playoffs] @ hockeydb.com, accessed January 26, 2007] Jarrod Skalde led the Flames with 32 goals and 68 points. Darrin Madeley was the starting goaltender, posting an 11–18–11 record with a 3.21 GAA in 46 games. [ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0002601998.html Saint John Flames player stats] @ hockeydb.com, accessed January 20, 2007]

ee also

*1996–97 NHL season

References

*Player stats: "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg 115
*Game log: [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/shn/shn604sc.htm 1996–97 Calgary Flames game log] , usatoday.com, accessed January 21, 2007
*Team standings: [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19271997.html 1996–97 NHL standings] @hockeydb.com
*Trades: [http://www.hockeydb.com hockeydb.com] player pages