Calgary Flames 2004 cup run: Where are they now?

CALGARY, CANADA – JUNE 5: Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning stops a puck shot by Martin Gelinas #23 of the Calgary Flames during the third period in game six of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 5, 2004 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Canada. A television replay showed that the puck might have crossed the goal line. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

It’s just past the 14 year anniversary of game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004 when the Calgary Flames made it all the way to the end. Where are they now?

Oh boy, the beginning of June is always rough for this reason. Every Calgary Flames fan will remember until the day they day about the controversial no-goal call in game 6 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals that cost the Flames the cup. We just passed the 14-year anniversary of the Tampa Bay Lightning defeating them in game seven of those finals.

The Lightning had a two-goal lead heading into the third period when Jordan Leopold cut the lead to one with over ten minutes remaining. Unfortunately, the Flames couldn’t tie it up.

But most people remember game six over game seven. Where Martin Gelinas had scored what could have been the game-winning and series-winning goal with less than seven minutes left in the game. The refs said there was no conclusive evidence that the puck crossed the line (but most people disagree).

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This game went to double OT where Martin St. Louis scored just 33 seconds into double OT. Which is a bit of some evil irony considering he was let go by the Flames after a PTO. Anyways, that’s beside the point.

Since it’s been 14 years since the Flames last made it to the Finals, which was 15 years since they last made it when they won in 1989, and in honour of the Washington Capitals just won their first ever Cup, let’s check out where the 2004 roster is now.

*This won’t be every player because that’s just excessive. We’ll focus on a select few.

Goalies

Let’s start off with goaltenders aka Miikka Kiprusoff. Kip played in all 26 games during the playoffs. He went 15-11 and had a 0.928 sv%. He was also a runner-up for the Vezina trophy (he ended up winning it the following season along with the Jennings).

So where is he now? He hung up the skates in 2013 and was Finland’s U20 goaltending coach for the World Juniors in 2014-15. He hasn’t done anything hockey related since, but rumour has it that he’s playing in a beer league in Finland. Can you imagine that? You’re in a beer league and you see the goaltender you have to score on is Miikka freaking Kiprusoff. I’d forfeit the game.

Let’s move on.

Defencemen

Jordan Leopold

Jordan Leopold along with Robyn Regehr on that first pairing were quite the duo during the playoffs. Leopold had ten points in the playoffs to lead the Calgary Flames defencemen. During his second NHL season, he also led the defencemen on the team with nine goals and 33 points. He finished his final NHL season in 2014-15 where he spent it between three different NHL teams.

Last year, Leopold was inducted into Minnesota’s M Club Hall of Fame.

Nobody quite knows what Leopold’s up to now. Just enjoying retired life with his family in Minnesota most likely.

Robyn Regehr

Speaking of Robyn Regehr being on that top pairing, he deserves a spot in this “where are they now” section. Regehr had two goals and nine points in 26 playoff games. He announced his retirement from the NHL in April 2015. In 2016, he signed a one-day contract with the Flames in order to retire with them.

Regehr is now living in retirement as part owner of Blueline Oilfield Rentals, which provide rental equipment for use in exploration and drilling with a primary focus on Heavy Weight Drill Pipe Rentals. Well.. at least he’s sticking to his Saskatchewan roots.