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Top Five U.S. Born Players in Calgary Flames History

By Ramina Shlah

COLOGNE, GERMANY - MAY 08: Johnny Gaudreau of USA celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship game between USA and Sweden at Lanxess Arena on May 8, 2017 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
COLOGNE, GERMANY - MAY 08: Johnny Gaudreau of USA celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship game between USA and Sweden at Lanxess Arena on May 8, 2017 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /
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Honorable Mentions

Would it really be a “top-five” list without any honorable mentions?

ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 31: Jack O’Callahan
ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 31: Jack O’Callahan /

Honorable mention #1: Brett Hull

The only reason Brett Hull didn’t make the cut is because he didn’t spend a lot of time with the Calgary Flames. Also, he may have been American, but he was actually born in Canada (Ontario). So he’s technically not U.S.-born, but he still gets an honorable mention here.

Hull was drafted by the Flames in 1984, not until the sixth round at 117th overall.

He made his NHL debut in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 1986 against the Montreal Canadiens. Hull was assigned to the AHL the following season. In 1987-1988, he earned a full-time position with the Flames, but was traded to the St. Louis Blues in March of 1988. He played a total of 57 games with Calgary and scored 27 goals and 51 points with the club.

In his NHL career, he’s played 1269 games, has 741 goals, and 1391 points, putting him at over one point per game. He’s a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, one with the Detroit Red Wings, and one with the Dallas Stars. He’s won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, the Hart Memorial Trophy, and the Lester B. Pearson award.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.

Hull is currently 22nd all-time in points, however Joe Thornton is tied with him, and he’ll most likely pass him next season. An impressive feat is that he’s fourth all-time in goals.

There was no way he couldn’t at least make it as an honorable mention, even though he only played a very small portion of his career with the Flames.

TAMPA, FL – JUNE 3: Craig Conroy
TAMPA, FL – JUNE 3: Craig Conroy /

Honorable mention #2: Craig Conroy

This would just be weird if I didn’t include Craig Conroy. Conroy was taken at 123 overall in the 1990 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He did only play 13 games with the Canadiens since he got into a fight with goalie Patrick Roy and would spend the majority of his time in the AHL before being traded.

Conroy spent the majority of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames, playing in 507 regular season games with the club and racking up 308 points.

In 2001, he was named co-captain of the Flames and the following season, was the full-time captain. Known for his defensive efforts, he was a runner-up for the Selke trophy twice in his career.

Conroy became good friends with Flames fan-favourite Jarome Iginla and Iggy even credited Conroy in being a big reason for him reaching his first 50 goal season.

In 2004, he was a big factor in the Flames cup run – the first time they made it to the finals since their Cup winner in 1989. He had 17 points in 26 playoff games that year, but unfortunately, the Flames lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the finals. Boo.

He is currently an assistant general manager of the Calgary Flames. Look like he just can’t leave, hey?

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