1989–90 Calgary Flames season

NHLTeamSeason
Season=1989–90
Team=Calgary Flames
Conference=Campbell
ConferenceRank=1st
Division=Smythe
DivisionRank=1st
Record=42–23–15
HomeRecord=28–7–5
RoadRecord=14–16–10
GoalsFor=348 (1st)
GoalsAgainst=265 (4th)
GeneralManager=Cliff Fletcher
Coach=Terry Crisp
Captain=Jim Peplinski (Oct)
Brad McCrimmon
AltCaptain=Tim Hunter
"Unknown"
Arena=Olympic Saddledome
Attendance=19,861
GoalsLeader=Joe Nieuwendyk (45)
AssistsLeader=Doug Gilmour (67)
PointsLeader=Joe Nieuwendyk (95)
PIMLeader=Tim Hunter (279)
WinsLeader=Mike Vernon (23)
GAALeader=Mike Vernon (3.13)

The 1989–90 Calgary Flames season was the 10th National Hockey League season in Calgary. In defence of their first Stanley Cup championship, the Flames remained a dominant team on the ice, finishing atop the Smythe Division for the third consecutive year, and 2nd overall in the NHL with 99 points - two points behind the Boston Bruins.

The regular season success did not translate in the post season, however, as the Flames were stunned by the Los Angeles Kings in six games in the first round of the playoffs. The loss would begin a 15–year period of playoff frustration, as the Flames would not win another post season round until the 2003–04 season.

Following the loss, the Flames fired head coach Terry Crisp, later replacing him with Doug Risebrough. In three seasons with the Flames, Crisp compiled a 144–63–33 record, with one Stanley Cup win and two President's Trophies. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE4DB1F31F93BA35756C0A966958260 Crisp Is Dismissed As Coach of Flames] , New York Times, May 8, 1990, accessed June 10, 2007]

Individually, Russian superstar Sergei Makarov, who was drafted by the Flames in 1983, was allowed to leave the Soviet Union and play in the NHL. Makarov finished 4th in team scoring with 86 points. The 32 year old Makarov captured the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year. The selection was controversial, as Makarov had played 11 pro seasons in the Soviet Union prior to joining the Flames. As a result, the league changed the rules for the following seasons, stating that only players under the age of 26 would be eligible for the award. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE4DA103EF933A15755C0A966958260 New Rules for Rookies] , New York Times, June 20, 1990, accessed June 10, 2007]

Four Flames were named to represent the Campbell Conference at the 1990 All-Star Game: Forwards Joe Mullen and Joe Nieuwendyk, defenceman Al MacInnis and goaltender Mike Vernon. [All-Stars, "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg. 22]

Regular season

eason standings

December

Overall: 6–4–2; Home: 5–2–0; Road: 1–2–2

March

Overall: 10–3–2; Home: 8–1–0; Road: 2–2–2

Player stats

katers

"Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes"

Free Agents

Draft picks

Calgary's picks at the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, held in Bloomington, Minnesota. [ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/teams/dr000043.html Calgary Flames draft history] , hockeydb.com, accessed June 4, 2007]

ee also

*1989–90 NHL season

References

*Player stats: "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg 122
*Game log: "2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide", pg 138
*Team standings: [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19271990.html 1989–90 NHL standings] @hockeydb.com
*Trades: Individual player pages at [http://www.hockeydb.com hockeydb.com]