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.
Coming in at #29 is Reggie Lemelin.
Lemelin is a perfect example of the goaltending progression (and succession) that Flames general manager Cliff Fletcher used during the ’80s. Signed as a free agent during the Atlanta days, Lemelin became a full-time NHLer after the move North. His stint with the Flames can be summed up like this: backup, starter, backup, gone.
He was nominally the backup from 1980-81 through 1982-83; he played behind Pat Riggin (following Dan Bouchard being traded) and then in a tandem with Don Edwards).