General Managers of the Calgary Flames

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There have been five General Managers in the Calgary Flames history.

Contents

[edit] Cliff Fletcher

General Manager: 1972-May 16, 1991

Cliff Fletcher was the first General Manager in Flames franchise history, dating back to the organization's founding in 1972 as the Atlanta Flames. He moved with the team when it came to Calgary in 1980, and was the architect of the 1988–89 Flames Stanley Cup championship team. Towards the end of the 1990–91 season, Fletcher resigned as Flames GM to take on a similar role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In all, Fletcher spent 19 years as Flames GM. Fletcher was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2004.[1]

[edit] Doug Risebrough

General Manager: May 16, 1991-November 3, 1995

Doug Risebrough, a former team captain, and already serving as the team's head coach, added the role of GM upon Fletcher's resignation. Risebrough's tenure is most remembered for how he was fleeced by Fletcher in a ten player mega-trade. The deal saw disgruntled forward Doug Gilmour go to the Leafs, along with Ric Nattress, Jamie Macoun, Rick Wamsley and Kent Manderville for former 50-goal scorer Gary Leeman, Michel Petit, Jeff Reese, Alexander Godynyuk and Craig Berube.[2] The deal is often regarded as one of the most lopsided in NHL history,[2][3] and helped transform both clubs, as the formerly inept Leafs quickly rose to contention, making two trips to the conference finals in 1993 and 1994. The deal marked the beginning of the Flames decline, which saw them ultimately bottom out by missing the playoffs for seven straight seasons between 1996 and 2003.[4]

Risebrough has since gone on to much more success, this time as the general manager of the Minnesota Wild.

[edit] Al Coates

General Manager: November 3, 1995-April 11, 2000

Al Coates was a long time Flames employee who worked his way up the Flames management ranks. His tenure occurred as the Flames entered their long period of decline, qualifying for the playoffs only once, in 1996. Coates consummated the Joe Nieuwendyk trade in 1995 that saw future superstar Jarome Iginla come to Calgary. He also dealt Theoren Fleury to the Colorado Avalanche in 1999.

[edit] Craig Button

General Manager: June 6, 2000-April 11, 2003

Craig Button came to Calgary in the summer of 2000 as a highly regarded executive, serving previously as the assistant General Manager of the Dallas Stars. The Flames continued to struggle on the ice, failing to qualify for the playoffs in any of Button's three seasons.

[edit] Darryl Sutter

General Manager: April 11, 2003-present

Darryl Sutter was brought in as the Flames coach midway through the 2002–03 season. He added the title of General Manager when the Flames chose not to renew Button's contract. The team has enjoyed a marked improvement in fortunes since Sutter came on board, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in eight years, and going all the way to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals in his first year. Sutter would be named the NHL's Executive of the Year as a result of this success. The Flames followed up their Cup final run with a Northwest Division title in 2005–06. Sutter is entering his fourth season as Flames GM.

[edit] References

  • 2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide
  1. ^ Cliff Fletcher profile at hhof.com
  2. ^ a b Dolezar, Jon A., Say it aint so: Calgary Flames, cnnsi.com, August 8, 2001, Accessed May 14, 2007
  3. ^ Patrick, Anthony, Fear and Loathing in Calgary, calgarypuck.com, June 8, 2001, accessed May 14, 2007
  4. ^ Gilmour begins again with Leafs in Calgary, cbc.ca, March 13, 2003, accessed May 14, 2007
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