Calgary Flames Veteran Officially Announces Retirement

Yesterday, a report came out that Calgary Flames veteran defenceman Michael Stone was contemplating retirement after a solid career in the NHL, and today, after spending the past seven seasons in Calgary, he has now made it official.

While it was no doubt a tough decision, it was likely made easier by the fact that the Flames offered him a role in the player development team, a role that Stone quickly accepted. The Winnipeg native has spent plenty of time in Calgary over his career, spending his days in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen, and after making it to the NHL with the Coyotes, he made his way to the Flames, spending the final seven years of his career playing in front of the C of Red.

Over 552 NHL games, Stone racked up 41 goals and 145 points, while suiting up for the Flames in 228 games, and with such an affinity for the city, it’s great to see the big man staying on with the organization as they look to build for the future. Over that time, Stone became known for one of the hardest slap shots in the NHL, and while he could never quite translate the WHL production into NHL stardom, he was a more than serviceable player at the next level, and hopefully he can find that type of success within the organization.

So what do you think Flames fans? What’s your favourite memory of Stone as a member of the Hitmen or the Flames? Do you think he’ll be a good fit within the player development team? How’s the defence looking this year without him? As always, let us know all your thoughts in the comments below.