This coming May is the 40th anniversary of the Atlanta Flames moving to Calgary. To commemorate this occasion, we’re counting down the Top 40 Calgary Flames in history.
#2 on our countdown? Al MacInnis!
A product of Nova Scotia with a booming slap shot, MacInnis toiled in the WHL and OMJHL before the Flames made him their first round selection in 1981. After cups of coffee with the club in 1981-82 and 1982-83, he went pro full-time in 1983-84 and quickly established himself as a reliable defender.
MacInnis was, to be blunt, a great defenseman. In his rookie season he put up 45 points in 51 games and was the most productive freshman blueliner in hockey, but he got no Calder consideration due to Steve Yzerman’s monster rookie campaign.