Flame for Thought
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Introducing the New Site Expert at Flame for Thought

By Brett Montrose

Apr 12, 2023; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; General view of the pyrotechnics during the third period between the Calgary Flames and the San Jose Sharks at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2023; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; General view of the pyrotechnics during the third period between the Calgary Flames and the San Jose Sharks at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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What’s going on, C of Red!?

Since my warm welcome into the #Flames Twitterverse a couple of seasons ago, I’ve been contemplating scratching my itch to write more than Elon allows me to. I’ve finally decided to take the leap into something slightly more formal when it comes to Calgary hockey fandom and am thankful FanSided has signed me as a free agent to do so as the new Site Expert at Flame for Thought.

Before I relay a bit of info about myself, I need to set the record straight on my title…

I’ve been asked to refer to myself as a Site Expert. I’m cool with that, but I need to be clear that I do not view myself as the ultimate fan or the person with so much expertise that it would be criminal not to share it with the fanbase. I love the Calgary Flames and I have for a long time; I read, I listen, I watch, and I learn whatever I can whenever I can when it comes to the Flames. However, writing at Flame for Thought is not a full-time job for me and I’m not going to hit the nail on the head every time. I will have opinions you disagree with and I will make mistakes, but here’s what I promise:

  • I will bring fun and passion to the site.
  • I will publish a variety of different content types and do more of what readers engage with most.
  • I will be inclusive. As a fan site, Flame for Thought will be by fans and for all Flames fans. This means I’ll strive to create an environment that is welcoming to women, the LGTBQ+ community, people of minority ethnic backgrounds, and other underrepresented hockey fans. And while I don’t have the final say when it comes to who joins as writers, I’ll participate how I can to bring writers on board who represent our beautiful and diverse C of Red.

My vision is to create a unique and engaging stream of content that becomes a spark for Flames fan dialogue, whether those fans are new to the game or who have been part of the C of Red since the 80s.

Now, a little bit about me:

I grew up playing hockey on Vancouver Island and became a Flames fan when my minor hockey coach asked me to watch some Flames games. “Watch the way they penalty kill, watch the way they’re tenacious on the puck, and watch the way Jarome Iginla plays all 200 feet of the ice.”

I paid some attention to the guy wearing 12 and I was hooked – forever. The Flames work ethic combined with the allure of Jarome sucked me in and I haven’t left. Sometimes I think about the fact that I could have continued down the path of so many other 90s kids: hitching to the Avs to watch Sakic finish his career and subsequently conduct the masterful rebuild of a franchise into a perennial Cup contender…

But, let’s be honest. We’re all here for the chaos. In my mind, Flames fans are special because – to endure what we have – we truly are the definition of ride-or-die.

After I finished playing hockey due to a fractured scaphoid, my athletic and academic career led me to Simon Fraser University where I ran track and graduated with a communications degree.

I now work full-time in sports-technology and have spent time in the past as a copywriter/digital marketer. After 15 years, I recently moved from Vancouver to Victoria, BC, where I live with my brilliant and gorgeous partner and our stubborn, snoring, sloppy, yet exceptionally handsome English bulldog. Although my skating is getting worse every year, I still play men’s league hockey (and love it).

If you weren’t a Flame for Thought reader before, I encourage you to come along for the ride with us through the upcoming 2023/24 campaign and beyond! You can stay tuned to Flame for Thought content by following the social accounts below:

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