Welcome to The Win Column’s Flames Fit Check, your monthly destination for Calgary Flames pregame fashion. This edition is a little different than usual. We’ll be wrapping up season 2 of Fit Check by ranking the top five fits of the regular season. Now, not by any means am I really qualified to give any opinions on fashion, but that’s the best part about the internet—I don’t have to be qualified. That being said, we’ll also crown a Fashionable Mention of the Season, a new addition in 2024.
Craig Conroy’s first season as the Flames GM has now completed and despite immense pressure and a bundle of pending unrestricted free agents, he put the team in a good position moving forward. With all of the moves made this season, we got to see new talent on the ice, and their style off the ice.
5. Chris Tanev
Taney brought his best, and a muffin, to the rink every night as a Calgary Flame. The veteran looks about as much of a hockey player as they come with a loose tie knot and the slicked-back hair in this October pregame fit.
Blue pants bring out the stripes in a sporty grey jacket and lay the foundation for a new outer space tie. If his happy-go-lucky expression wasn’t enough, Tanev’s tie is a reminder he’s not all tooth gaps and shot blocks.
To round out the fit, Tanev sports a very nice gold watch that contrasts the to-go muffin and Superman Yeti to perfection. The final touch is a #SnowyStrong pin in honour of the late Assistant GM, Chris Snow. All in all, a high style, high-carb fit. It was tough to say goodbye to Chris at the trade deadline but I think I can speak for everyone when I say this guy deserves a Stanley Cup to complement his Yeti.
4. Jonathan Huberdeau and The Carhartt Cowboys
On October 29, the Flames faced off against the Edmonton Oilers at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton for the Heritage Classic. The game saw the Flames struggle against the Oilers but showcased some incredible equipment and some show-stopping attire.
Although the Flames lost the game, the team sported a Stampede-inspired Calgary look heading into the battle.
The Flames easily won the competition walking into the stadium sporting Carhartt overalls, cowboy hats and boots. The shirts got left at home for the Carhartt Cowboys while the Oilers sported coveralls and hard hats true to their name. Plus, I don’t think you could find an outfit Jonathan Huberdeau would look more uncomfortable wearing. I must say, the Rolex and Starbucks really bring out the “Urban” in “Urban Cowboy.
I couldn’t help but include this one, Huberdeau’s face looks as if he just stepped in some manure.
3. Nikita Zadorov
Nikita Zadorov was last season’s Fit Check Champion. After a tumultuous start to the season, Zadorov seemed ready to leave the mountain views and sunny days behind, and head somewhere…. well anywhere but Calgary.
After the trade request was made public by Zadorov’s agent, his play fell off, not helping his trade stock. Evidently, Nikita isn’t afraid to voice his opinion much like a familiar supervillain, Gru.
Amidst a “Despicable” showcase of professionalism on his departure from Calgary and a “Me” mentality rather than a team mentality, Zadorov wore his cleanest suit in an attempt to steal the moon at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
The pinstripes, boots and sinister look, were enough for Zadorov and Ryan Huska’s minions to pull off an overtime win in the November matchup with the Kraken, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Russian defenceman in Calgary.
Although Zadorov’s exit wasn’t amazing, the now Vancouver Canuck had a flashy look, and loud playstyle that Flames fans adored.
2. Jacob Markstrom
What a season it was for Jacob Markstrom. The Flames netminder had a bounce-back performance this year and saw his name circle the rumour mill for months, and was reported to have his bags packed for New Jersey prior to the trade deadline.
Markstrom didn’t hold back with this all-white fit on the road. Markstrom is known for dipping deeper into the closet than most, showing off some interesting looks this season. Corduroy, although a controversial fabric in this series, has finally been done right I think. The all-white corduroy suit is slightly different than the shirt, showing off some contrast. No tie to keep the focus on the suit and a simple slicked-back hairstyle rounds it out.
Markstrom remains a Flame but his future remains a question mark. With Dustin Wolf waiting in the wings and Calgary committing to a retool, this could be the last feature for the Swedish goalie in the Flames Fit Check. I’m not sure where things go, but we all know Markstrom had a proper bounce-back season, and maybe he’s finally convinced me that corduroy is having a bounce-back too.
1. Blake Coleman
During a season that was centred around getting younger, 32-year-old Blake Coleman was a front-runner for the team MVP this season. Blake capped off career season with his 30th goal—the first 30-goal season of his career.
The Plano Texas product has sported a combination of incredible hat/suit combinations this season, but the one that takes the cake has to be this ensemble from last month’s edition.
Sheesh. Can you get more urban cowboy than this? Calgary might as well just give this guy a key to the city. I know Nikita Zadorov had some crazy pregame fits but nobody embodies Calgary like our Alberta-Texan Blake Coleman. Pickles went cream suit and hat paired with a unique asymmetrically striped shirt, square-toe brown boots, and aviators in this mid-March matchup at home. The GMC in the background really drives home the city-living cowboy aesthetic.
Coleman has been a fan favourite since coming to Calgary and is evidently a strong part of the leadership group going forward. Can’t complain much about a 32-year-old team guy playing the best hockey of his career for a team he wants to be a part of going forward.
Coleman caps off the second season of Fit Check as our champion.
Fashionable Mention
At the turn of the calendar, Fit Check introduced a new category of the “Fashionable Mention”. It’s been a negative couple of years in Calgary Flames land and I felt there no better time to break the mould. The monthly honour is handed out not for suits or game faces, but rather a fashionable vibe if you will.
That being said, I highlighted three Fashionable Mentions this season.
The Flames held their Dads and Mentors trip in January for the first time in four seasons. Not surprisingly, it was some of the best play we’ve seen from the team all season. The dads and mentors were lively in the stands and put huge smiles on their faces in the dressing room.
The Dads and Mentors trip couldn’t have come at a better time for the Flames. Although the team didn’t maintain their winning ways of the trip, it’s always a boost to have loved ones around during the gruelling middle part of the season.
In February, the boys headed down to Deerfoot Casino, hosting another Flames Ambassador’s Celebrity Poker Tournament. It was all smiles, Stetsons, and donations to the Flames Foundation, as the event raised an incredible $501,000. The tournament marks the largest fundraiser for the Flames Foundation and features the current team and Alumni in a poker tournament against fans with a silent auction.
The team looked great, and the tournament had an incredible turnout. Plus, at the time, recently acquired Andrei Kuzmenko got to take his first Cowboy hat for a test drive.
Our final Fashionable Mention went out to the Special Olympics Winter Games. The 2024 national games were held in Calgary this past February. Some of the Flames players headed out to the floor hockey venue at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex. A collection of Flames players enjoyed a warmup game with team Newfoundland before interacting with fans and athletes.
The Flames have been active supporters of the Special Olympics for a long time and it was a special opportunity for the city to host the national winter games. Winter competition included Alpine skiing, Snowshoeing, Floor hockey, 5-pin bowling, speed skating, cross-country skiing, curling, and figure skating.
Although professional sports are held to a high standard of competition and business, it’s nice to be reminded by the Special Olympics that sports and exercise provide much more to people than just a team to cheer for and a way to stay healthy. Sport has the power to foster relationships, grow physical literacy, connect communities and most importantly, put a smile on your face.
The games concluded on March 2 with Ontario winning the games in total medal count. I’d highly encourage everyone to look into how you can take part in the Special Olympics community right here in Calgary. As someone who was a part of the events for the first time in 2024 as a volunteer, I can truly say it was one of the best sporting experiences of my life.
Thank you for joining us for our second season of Flames Fit Check. Tune in next year for more unsolicited and uneducated fashion takes the Fashionable Mention of the Month, and maybe even an Unfashionable Mention from time to time.
Look good, feel good, play good, Flames fans.
All photos courtesy of @NHLFlames
You must be logged in to post a comment.