We continue our offseason series taking a look back at past Calgary Flames rosters with the 2011–12 squad. After missing the playoffs the two seasons prior, the Flames continued to fight in the mushy middle of the Western Conference in 2011–12, desperately trying to remain a playoff team. It would be a busy year in Calgary as the team would make four midseason trades while dealing with a plethora of injuries.
Despite missing the playoffs two years in a row, Brent Sutter was back behind the bench in 2011–12. The Flames remained on the playoff bubble from pretty much day one of the season, with their record sitting around the .500 mark all year. The team set a franchise record with 16 overtime losses that season, a mark that wouldn’t be topped until of course the 2022–23 season. In the end just like the 2022–23 Flames, they’d fall just short of the playoffs and end the year in ninth place in the Western Conference. Time is a circle.
From that team, Jarome Iginla and Craig Conroy are both still with the Flames in management roles as general manager and special advisor to the general manager. Mikael Backlund meanwhile is the only member of the team still playing with the Flames. Lastly Cory Sarich works for the team on a recurring basis with FlamesTV during the season.
Forwards
Jarome Iginla
It turns out the previous 2010–11 season would be the final point-per-game season of Jarome Iginla’s career. Now 34 years old, Iginla would post 32 goals and 67 points in 2011–12, his lowest total since the 2005–06 season. This would also be his final full season as a Flame. To no one’s surprise, he still led the Flames in scoring, and was one of only two Flames with over 50 points on the season. He also hit 500 career goals this season.
The following year in 2012–13 with his contract set to expire, the Flames dealt Iginla at the trade deadline. A few years later he retired from hockey in 2017. In 2020, he was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Since retiring he was not directly involved with any NHL team until of course this summer when he was hired as the special assistant to the general manager in Calgary.
Alex Tanguay
Fresh off signing a five-year extension with the Flames, a 33-year-old Tanguay would register 49 points in 64 games in a season shortened due to injury. Despite Tanguay missing 16 games, he’d still finish third on the Flames in scoring.
Tanguay’s would eventually be dealt a year later during the 2013 offseason. He’d play in the NHL for three more years and retired in 2016. After retiring, Tanguay worked as an assistant coach in the AHL and most recently as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings. This past summer he was linked with both the Flames head coach and assistant coaching roles but remained in Detroit.
Olli Jokinen
The 2011–12 season was Olli Jokinen’s last as a Flame, while also being his most productive. He’d register 61 points in 82 games as the team’s top line centre, finishing second on the team in scoring behind Iginla. His 38 assists led the Flames.
Jokinen would walk as a free agent following the season. After three more seasons in the NHL he’d retire in 2015. After retiring he moved back to Florida where he began his career and has helped coach at the South Florida Hockey Academy.
Curtis Glencross
The 2011–12 campaign would end up being the best season of Curtis Glencross’ career. He’d post career bests in goals with 26 and points with 48 in just 67 games. Due to injuries he’d never reach those heights again. Glencross would eventually be dealt a couple years later at the 2014 trade deadline. Unable to find a new contract during the 2015 offseason, Glencross retired at the age of 33.
Glencross has remained a huge part of the Calgary community as he has hosted a yearly Glencross Charity Camp and Poker Event and regularly takes part in Flames Alumni charity events and activities. He also currently works as a Client Relationship Manager for Cardinal Point Wealth Management in Calgary.
Lee Stempniak
Acquired during the offseason prior to the 2011–12 season for longtime Flame Daymond Langkow, Lee Stempniak posted 28 points in an injury-riddled first season as a Flame that limited him to 61 games. The total ranked fifth among Flames forwards.
Stempniak would end up playing two more seasons in Calgary before eventually being traded to the Penguins at the 2014 trade deadline. He’d play for five more teams across the next five seasons before retiring in 2019. After retiring he worked as a data analyst with the Coyotes and is now their director of player development.
Rene Bourque
Rene Bourque would start the 2011–12 season with 16 points in 38 games in what would end up being his last stretch of games as a Flame. Bourque would be traded midseason to the Montreal Canadiens in a deal to bring back former Flame Mike Cammalleri. He’d go on to play five more seasons in the NHL and one in Sweden before eventually retiring in 2018.
Inspired by his upbringing, Bourque started the Bourque Buddies charity to help Metis children like himself have something to work towards growing up. He also started the Rene Bourque Hockey Fund to help provide hockey equipment to underprivileged children.
Mike Cammalleri
After a one year stint in Calgary in 2008–09, the Flames would re-acquire Mike Cammalleri a couple years later in the middle of the 2011–12 season. Cammalleri would pick up where he left off, finishing the season with 11 goals and 19 points in 28 games. Despite playing just 28 games for the Flames that season, he was their sixth highest scoring forward.
Cammalleri would spend another two years as a Flame before walking in free agency once again in the summer of 2014. He’d play four more years in the NHL and retired in 2018. He’s currently the co-CEO of sports nutrition company BioSteel, a company he founded during his playing days in 2009.
Mikael Backlund
After suiting up for 73 games the year prior as a 21-year-old, Mikael Backlund would only manage 41 games in 2011–12 due to a shoulder injury. In those 41 games he posted 11 points to go along with some strong defensive metrics. He’s the only member of this team still playing in Calgary in 2023.
Backlund of course has become one of the best Flames of all time and currently sits third all time for games played as a Flame. At 35 years old, his current status is up in the air as trade rumours swirl but regardless of what happens he’ll always be a fan favourite and all-time great in Calgary.
Matt Stajan
Things went from bad to worse for Matt Stajan in 2011–12. After posting only 31 points in 2010–11, his total dropped to just 18 in 2011–12 due to injuries that limited him to 61 games. Now two years into his Flames career, it was clear Stajan was unlikely to reach the potential he showed before joining the Flames in 2010. That said, across the next six seasons Stajan would become a fan favourite in Calgary and a regular in their lineup.
He’d head over to Germany for one season in 2018–19 and retire following the season. Since retiring, Stajan has called Calgary home and has had an active role with the NHLPA as a representative for both Toronto and Calgary. He’s also served as an assistant coach for the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen the last two seasons.
Blake Comeau
A 25-year-old Blake Comeau would be claimed off waivers by the Flames in October of the 2011–12 season. He’d go on to play 58 games as a Flame that year, putting up five goals and 15 points.
Comeau would start the following season in Calgary but would be dealt at the 2013 trade deadline. He’d go on to play 10 more years in the NHL and retired just last year in 2022.
Tim Jackman
After his surprisingly strong 2010–11 season, Tim Jackman would regress in a big way in 2011–12. Despite playing in 75 games for the Flames, he’d put up just one goal and seven points while playing on the team’s fourth line.
Jackman would play 52 more games across the next two seasons in Calgary. He’d be dealt during the 2013–14 season and played two more years in the NHL before retiring in 2016. After retiring, Jackman served as an assistant coach for Minnesota State University and is currently the head coach of the AAA Northstar Christian Academy.
Tom Kostopoulos
Playing in 81 for the Flames in 2011–12, Tom Kostopoulos would register four goals and 12 points. The season would end up being his last in Calgary as he’d leave as a free agent in the offseason. He’d then play one more season in the NHL and retired in 2018 after a few productive years in the AHL. Soon after retiring he served as a development coach with the Penguins and is currently their director of player development.
Roman Horak
Acquired by the Flames during the 2011 offseason for Tim Erixon, Roman Horak made his Flames debut in 2011–12. He’d play 61 games, posting three goals and 11 points as a 20-year-old.
Horak would bounce around between the Flames AHL and NHL rosters the next two seasons before being dealt to the Oilers during the 2013–14 season. He’d only manage two games for the Oilers and would go over to Europe the next year. He’s carved out a nice career in Europe over the past nine seasons and most recently played in Czechia last season.
Defencemen
Mark Giordano
Another Flame with the injury bug in 2011–12, Mark Giordano only played 61 games that season. In those games he posted 27 points, the second most on the Flames blueline. His nine goals were the most of any Flames defender that season.
Giordano would of course go on to play the second most games of any Flame ever and served as the second longest running team captain in history before being claimed in the 2021 expansion draft. He’s spent the last two seasons playing for his hometown Maple Leafs. Here’s hoping he signs a one day contract to retire as a Flame one day.
Jay Bouwmeester
Jay Bouwmeester would continue to fall short of expectations in 2011–12, posting just five goals and 29 points, although he did play in all 82 games and averaged around 26 minutes a night as the team’s top defencemen.
Bouwmeester would start the following year in Calgary but would be dealt at the 2013 trade deadline with his contract set to expire. He’d then go on to win a Stanley Cup with St. Louis a few years later in 2019. In 2020, Bouwmeester suffered a serious cardiac arrest incident during a game with St. Louis. Luckily he made a full recovery but was forced to retire soon after.
Chris Butler
Acquired during the offseason in the trade that sent Robyn Regehr to Buffalo, Chris Butler would become a mainstay on the Flames blueline. He played 68 games, posting 15 points in his debut season in 2011-12.
Butler would remain a major part of the team’s blueline for the next two seasons before leaving as a free agent in 2014. He would bounce around the AHL and NHL for the next five years and retired in 2019. Butler was hired as an amateur scout with the Coyotes in 2021 and currently works as a development coach with the Penguins.
T.J. Brodie
A fourth-round pick by the Flames in the 2008 draft, T.J. Brodie would make his rookie season debut during the 2011–12 season at the age of 21. He’d post 14 points in 54 games playing on the teams third pairing.
As well know now Brodie would develop into a bonafide top four defenceman for the Flames and a staple on their blueline during the 2010s. He’d eventually leave as a free agent in 2020 after logging the fourth most games by a defenceman in franchise history. He currently plays with Giordano in Toronto.
Scott Hannan
Signed as a free agent during the offseason, veteran Scott Hannan logged 78 games for the Flames during the 2011–12 season. He added on 12 points while playing primarily on the team’s second pairing with Giordano.
Hannan’s time in Calgary would be short as he’d leave as a free agent following the season. He spent three more years in the NHL and retired in 2016.
Cory Sarich
Cory Sarich continued in his roll as a shutdown third pairing defender for Calgary in 2011–12. Now at 33 years old, Sarich played in 61 games and posted seven points. He’d spend one more season in Calgary and then another in Colorado after being traded by the Flames in 2013. He retired in 2014. Sarich suffered a scary biking accident soon after retiring in 2014 but made a full recovery and currently works with FlamesTV during the season.
Goaltenders
Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Kiprusoff was back to his usual ways in 2011–12, starting in 70 games for the Flames while posting a .920 save percentage and 2.35 GAA. His season earned him one vote for the Vezina at 35 years old.
Kiprusoff would hop on board the mass exodus of Flames veterans and leave Calgary and retire following the following 2012–13 season. He’s since returned to Finland and has lived a notoriously quiet life away from the spotlight, until of course this past month when it was announced his number would be retired in March.
