We continue our offseason series taking a look back at past Calgary Flames rosters with the magical 2014–15 squad. The 2014–15 season would go down as one of the most memorable in franchise history—especially in the modern era. It would also be the first season under new General Manager Brad Treliving.
Despite the team being in the middle of a rebuild and coming off the worst finish in franchise history, the Flames would shock the world en route to their first playoff berth in six years. Dubbed the “Cardiac Kids” due to their knack of late dramatic comebacks, the 2014–15 season will always be remembered fondly in Calgary.
From that team Mikael Backlund is the only member who still has any ties to the organization as he still plays for the Flames. No other member of the team plays or works for the Flames, although Brian McGrattan did work as a development coach for the Flames until 2022.
Forwards
Jiri Hudler
The 2014–15 season would end up being the best of Jiri Hudler’s career by a sizeable margin. He smashed every previous career-high en route to leading the Flames in goals with 31, assists with 45 and points with 76. He formed a dynamic trio with Monahan and Gaudreau on the Flames top line that year.
Hudler would return to Calgary for the following 2015–16 season, but with the Flames near the bottom of the standings he’d be traded to Dallas at the 2016 trade deadline. After just one more season in the league, he retired in 2017.
Johnny Gaudreau
The 2014–15 season would be Johnny Gaudreau’s rookie season as a Flame after being drafted in 2011. He’d make an immediate impact at 21 years old with 64 points in 80 games, finishing second on the Flames in scoring behind Hudler. His season also earned him the third most votes for the Calder Trophy.
As we all know Gaudreau would develop into a true superstar in Calgary over the next eight years before making the decision to leave in free agency for Columbus in 2022. This past season Gaudreau and the Blue Jackets finished 31st in the NHL with Gaudreau posting his lowest full season point total in six years.
Sean Monahan
After a solid rookie season in 2013–14 season, Sean Monahan would take a big step in 2014–15 solidifying himself as the Flames top centre. He’d post 31 goals and 62 points to finish tied for first for goals on the Flames and third for points. The 2014–15 season was the first sign of the dynamic chemistry Monahan and Gaudreau would have together.
Monahan would become an integral part of the Flames roster over the next eight seasons, operating as the teams number one centre for multiple years. Unfortunately a slew of serious injuries would catch up to him and he’d be traded during the 2022 offseason. He’s since played with the Montreal Canadiens, which is where he’ll play in 2023–24 after re-signing this past offseason.
Mikael Backlund
By the 2014–15 season Mikael Backlund was only 25 but it felt like he was a seasoned vet on such a young Flames roster in 2014–15. He’d be limited to just 52 games with injury, but posted 27 points while operating as the teams second line centre.
Backlund 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.
Joe Colborne
Now in his second season as a Flame, Joe Colborne would see a slight bump in production in 2014–15. He’d post 28 points in 64 games, compared to the same total in 80 games the year prior.
Colborne would spend one more year in Calgary, which would end up being a career year with 44 points in 2015–16. He’d leave as a free agent in 2016 and spent just one more season in the NHL before retiring in 2018 at the age of 28 due to injuries.
Lance Bouma
Lance Bouma would have the best season of his career in 2014–15, posting 16 goals and 34 points at 24 years old. Unfortunately it was only a flash in the pan as he’d fail to reach the same heights and after a couple disappointing seasons, the Flames would eventually buy him out in 2017.
Bouma played one more season in the NHL in 2017–18 before going over to Europe. He’s spent the last three seasons playing in the SHL.
Matt Stajan
By 2014–15, Matt Stajan was bumped down the lineup by younger talent, but he still played a valuable role as a veteran on a young rebuilding team. He’d suit up for 59 games, adding on 17 points.
Stajan would play three more years in Calgary before going over to Europe for one season in 2018–19. He retired soon after in 2019. 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.
Curtis Glencross
The 2014–15 season would end up being Curtis Glencross’ last in Calgary. He’d register 28 points in 53 games to start the season. On an expiring deal and the team on the playoff bubble, Glencross was shipped to Washington for a pair of draft picks. 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.
David Jones
In his second year as a Flame in 2014–15, David Jones would post his best point total in Calgary with 14 goals and 30 points in 67 games while operating mainly in the Flames top six.
Jones would start the following 2015–16 season in Calgary but would end up being dealt to Minnesota near the end of the season. He’d close out the year with the Wild and retire following the season at the age of 32.
Josh Jooris
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013, Josh Jooris made his rookie debut in 2014–15. It’d also end up being the best season of his career. Jooris would post 12 goals and 24 points in 60 games.
Jooris’ time in Calgary would be short as he’d play one more year as a Flame before leaving as a free agent in 2016. After leaving he played two more seasons split between the NHL and AHL before eventually going over to Europe in 2019. He’s spent the last four seasons playing in the Swiss-A league.
Paul Byron
Paul Byron’s second season as a Flame would also end up being his last. He’d manage 19 points in 57 games while remaining a penalty skill and speed specialist. Despite some success in Calgary, Byron would be placed on waivers before the following 2015–16 season.
He’d of course be claimed by the Montreal Canadiens in what was one of the worst waiver moves in franchise history. Byron would become a regular in the Canadiens lineup, highlighted by a career-high 43 points season in 2016–17. He was forced to step away from playing due a nagging hip injury in 2022 and his playing career is likely over.
Mason Raymond
Signed as a free agent during the 2014 offseason, Mason Raymond would put up 23 games across 57 injury riddled games in his first season as a Flame in 2014–15. Unfortunately Raymond just wasn’t able to live up to his new contract and he’d be placed on waivers to start the following 2015–16 season. At the end of the season he was bought out by Calgary.
Raymond played just four more NHL games after leaving Calgary and spent one season in Europe, winning a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2018 Olympics. Following the 2017–18 season he would retire. He currently owns Cochrane GM and works on his family farm in Cochrane.
Brandon Bollig
Acquired during the offseason in Brad Treliving’s first trade with the Flames, enforcer Brandon Bollig would play 62 games in 2014–15, posting a single goal and five points. He’d actually double his goal total in 11 playoff games with two goals.
Bollig would spend one more season in Calgary before being sent down to the AHL for the 2016–17 season. After two years in the AHL he retired in 2019.
Defencemen
Mark Giordano
Mark Giordano would continue his upward trajectory in 2014–15, posting a then career-high in points with 47 despite playing just 61 games. Giordano looked like a Norris front runner throughout the season, but unfortunately went down with a season-ending injury late in the year.
Giordano served as the Flames Captain and number one defenceman for six more years until being claimed in the 2021 expansion draft, leaving as the second longest tenured player and captain in Flame history. 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 in the future.
T.J. Brodie
Giordano’s partner on the Flames top pairing, T.J. Brodie also experienced a career year in 2014–15 with then career best totals in goals, assists and points. He also stepped up as the team’s number one defenceman after Giordano went down with an injury, regularly averaging over 25 minutes a game.
Brodie would become an integral part of the Flames during the 2010s and a staple on their blueline. 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.
Dennis Wideman
The 2014–15 season would end up being the best season of Dennis Wideman’s career at the age of 31. He’d lead all Flames defencemen in points with 56, as well as goals with 15 and assists with 41. Like Brodie, he stepped up in a big way when Giordano went down with an injury late in the season.
Wideman would end up finishing his career in Calgary over the next two seasons, although he would never reach the same heights he did in 2014–15. He would eventually retire as a free agent a couple years later in 2017. Since retiring he’s served as an assistant coach for his hometown Kitchener Rangers for the past six years.
Kris Russell
The 2014–15 season was an interesting one for Kris Russell. He was essentially the poster boy for the eye test vs. analytics debate in 2014–15, regularly posting below-average underlying numbers but racking up minutes and blocks. To his credit, he also added on career best totals with 30 assists and 34 points and stepped up for the Flames when Giordano went down.
On an expiring deal the following season and with the Flames near the bottom of the league, Russell would be dealt at the 2016 trade deadline for the pick that became Dillon Dube. Russell would end his career with six straight seasons in Edmonton and hasn’t played since the 2021–22 season.
Raphael Diaz
Signed as a free agent prior to the season, Raphael Diaz would suit up for 56 games as a Flame in 2014–15 while playing primarily on the Flames bottom pairing. Across those games he’d add on two goals and four points.
Diaz’s time in Calgary would be short as he’d leave in free agency following the season. After one more year in the NHL, he went over to Europe in 2016 and has spent the last seven years playing in his home country of Switzerland. He also represented Switzerland at both the 2018 and 2022 Olympics.
Derek Engelland
Signed as a free agent during the 2014 offseason, veteran shutdown defender Derek Engelland would play in 76 games for Calgary during the 2014–15 season. His biggest impact came when Giordano went down with his injury and Engelland held his own in top four duty to close out the season and in the playoffs.
Engelland would spent two more seasons as a regular on the Flames blueline before being claimed in the 2017 Vegas expansion draft. After three years in Vegas, Engelland retired in 2020. Soon after retiring he transitioned to a role as Vegas’ Special Assistant to the Owner.
Goaltenders
Kari Ramo
In his second season in Calgary Karri Ramo played 34 games to go along with a .912 save percentage and 15–9–3 record. He’d start the playoffs as the Flames backup but would eventually earn the starter’s role in the second round.
Ramo spent one more seasons with the Flames in a 1A/1B role with Hiller before leaving as a free agent in 2016. He’d eventually go over to Europe that same year where he played for six seasons before retiring in 2022. He’s currently the assistant coach for the U16 Finnish team Pelicans.
Jonas Hiller
Signed during the offseason to share the load in net with Ramo, Jonas Hiller would end up starting 52 games in 2014–15. Across those games he posted a .918 save percentage and 26–19–4 record. In the playoffs he’d eventually lose his starting role to Ramo after the first round.
Hiller would spend one more year in Calgary, but played just 26 games. He’d head over to his home country of Switzerland in 2016 and played for Biel HC for four years before retiring in 2020.
