2003–04 Calgary Flames season

The 2003–04 Calgary Flames season was the 24th National Hockey League season in Calgary, and the 32nd for the franchise in the NHL. The Flames ended a seven-year playoff drought, qualifying for the post-season for the first time since 1996. The Flames defeated three division winners en-route to an appearance in the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. The Flames were defeated in the finals by the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games. The run to the finals captured the imagination of the city, while the Red Mile celebrations gained international attention for the "Mardi Gras-like" atmosphere as up to 80,000 people celebrated in the streets after each playoff game.
left|thumb|Fans arriving at the Pengrowth Saddledome prior to a Stanley Cup Finals game against Tampa Bay.
Head coach Darryl Sutter succeeded Craig Button as the Flames' general manager. Sutter made numerous changes to the roster as he worked to remake the Flames into a fast, physical club. Chris Drury was dealt to Buffalo for Rhett Warrener and Steve Reinprecht before the season began. A knee injury to starting goaltender Roman Turek led Sutter to trade for Miikka Kiprusoff, a player he knew from his days with the San Jose Sharks. Kiprusoff responded to the deal by posting an NHL record low Goals Against Average of 1.69.
The Flames were led offensively by Jarome Iginla, who tied Ilya Kovalchuk and Rick Nash for the league lead with 41 goals as the trio shared the Rocket Richard Trophy. Iginla represented the Flames at the 54th National Hockey League All-Star Game in Minnesota, and was named a second team all-star for his performance during the season. Iginla's charity work and leadership both on and off the ice led to his also being awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and NHL Foundation Player Award.
==Regular season==
After struggling with an injury to starting goaltender Roman Turek in the first game of the season, an early November trade for San Jose Sharks third stringer Miikka Kiprusoff sparked the Flames, as Kiprusoff led Calgary into the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
right|thumb|The Calgary Flames' green hard hat on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Defenceman Mike Commodore became a cult hero for his unruly red mop of hair during the playoffs, leading many fans to wear red afro wigs to playoff games. Craig Conroy brought a team building idea from his days with the St. Louis Blues, having the team award a green hard hat to the hardest working player each time the Flames won. As the exercise gained popularity, fans also began wearing green hard hats do the arena themselves. 
===Season standings===
right|thumb|Typical celebration along the Red Mile.
===Game log===
2003–04 Game Log 	2003–04 Game Log 	2003–04 Game Log 	2003–04 Game Log 	2003–04 Game Log 	2003–04 Game Log 	2003–04 Game Log 	2003–04 Game Log 	2003–04 Game Log 	2003–04 Game Log
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October: 4–4–0–1 (Home: 2–2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0–1)	October: 4–4–0–1 (Home: 2–2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0–1)	October: 4–4–0–1 (Home: 2–2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0–1)	October: 4–4–0–1 (Home: 2–2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0–1)	October: 4–4–0–1 (Home: 2–2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0–1)	October: 4–4–0–1 (Home: 2–2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0–1)	October: 4–4–0–1 (Home: 2–2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0–1)	October: 4–4–0–1 (Home: 2–2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0–1)	October: 4–4–0–1 (Home: 2–2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0–1)	October: 4–4–0–1 (Home: 2–2–0–0; Road: 2–2–0–1)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	OT 	Decision 	Attendance 	Record 	Pts
1 	October 9 	Calgary 	1 – 4 	Vancouver 	 	Turek 	18,630 	0–1–0–0 	0
2 	October 11 	San Jose 	2 – 3 	Calgary 	 	McLennan 	17,039 	1–1–0–0 	2
3 	October 14 	Edmonton 	0 – 1 	Calgary 	 	McLennan 	16,009 	2–1–0–0 	4
4 	October 18 	Buffalo 	2 – 0 	Calgary 	 	Turek 	14,139 	2–2–0–0 	4
5 	October 21 	Calgary 	3 – 2 	Minnesota 	 	McLennan 	18,064 	3–2–0–0 	6
6 	October 24 	St. Louis 	2 – 1 	Calgary 	 	McLennan 	15,454 	3–3–0–0 	6
7 	October 25 	Calgary 	4 – 2 	Edmonton 	 	McLennan 	16,839 	4–3–0–0 	8
8 	October 28 	Calgary 	2 – 4 	Colorado 	 	McLennan 	18,007 	4–4–0–0 	8
9 	October 29 	Calgary 	3 – 4 	Dallas 	OT 	Sabourin 	18,209 	4–4–0–1 	9
==Playoffs==
right|thumb|Opening faceoff during game three against Vancouver.
Calgary's defeat of the Vancouver Canucks in the first round was the first playoff series victory for the Flames since they won the Cup in 1989. Jarome Iginla scored two goals and assisted on Martin Gelinas' overtime winner in game seven, sending fans in Calgary into the streets to celebrate the victory. The Flames pulled off an even bigger upset in round two, knocking off the President's Trophy winning Red Wings in six, including back-to-back 1–0 shutouts in the final two games. Once again, Gelinas scored the overtime winner on a rebound on a play set up by Iginla. In doing so, Gelinas became the first player in NHL history to record three career OT winners to end a series.Calgary 1, Detroit 0, OT, Yahoo! sports, May 4, 2004, accessed November 30, 2006 
The third round series pitted the Flames against head coach Darryl Sutter and goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff's old team - the San Jose Sharks. After jumping out to a 2–0 series lead on the road, the Sharks returned the favour, defeating Calgary twice at home. After blanking the Sharks in San Jose in game five, the Flames returned home with a chance to go to the Stanley Cup Finals. Led once again by Iginla and Gelinas, the Flames cruised to a 3–1 victory. Gelinas once again scored the series clinching goal, this time in the second period, to return the Flames to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since winning it in 1989.
left|thumb|the "C of Red" became a defining characteristic of Flames playoff games.
The Finals became known for controversy. First, referee Kerry Fraser was pulled from his game six assignment in Calgary after drawing the ire of Flames fans following several calls in game four that upset the local fans. Fraser would instead officiate game seven in Tampa.Veteran ref drew ire of Calgary fans, espn.com, June 5, 2004, accessed November 30, 2006 The officiating in game four prompted a rant by Sutter, in which he alleged that the NHL did not want Calgary to win.Flames' Sutter sticks by his claims, tsn.ca, June 3, 2004, accessed November 30, 2006
Late in game six, with the score tied, a shot that deflected off of Gelinas was stopped by Tampa goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin on the goal line. Later replays indicated that the puck may have crossed the line, however the play was not reviewed at the time, and the NHL would later rule the video was inconclusive.Christodero, Damian, One last shot, St. Petersburg Times, June 6, 2004, accessed November 30, 2006 Instead, the Lightning would win in double overtime, and go on to win game seven by a 2–1 score.No cup, but Flames' season still a success, cbc.ca, June 8, 2004, accessed November 29, 2006
Despite the game seven loss, the playoff run lifted the city to a new highhttp://www.lfpress.com/sports/hockey/2010/04/10/13539811.html. Over 30,000 fans celebrated the Flames run at a rally at Olympic Plaza shortly after the finals ended.Calgary salutes Flames, slam.canoe.ca, accessed November 30, 2006 Due to the team's playoff success their fans set new expectations, perhaps unrealistic ones, for the Flames.http://www.lfpress.com/sports/hockey/2010/04/10/13539811.html
2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs
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Western Conference Quarter-final vs. Vancouver (3) - Flames win 4–3	Western Conference Quarter-final vs. Vancouver (3) - Flames win 4–3	Western Conference Quarter-final vs. Vancouver (3) - Flames win 4–3	Western Conference Quarter-final vs. Vancouver (3) - Flames win 4–3	Western Conference Quarter-final vs. Vancouver (3) - Flames win 4–3	Western Conference Quarter-final vs. Vancouver (3) - Flames win 4–3	Western Conference Quarter-final vs. Vancouver (3) - Flames win 4–3	Western Conference Quarter-final vs. Vancouver (3) - Flames win 4–3	Western Conference Quarter-final vs. Vancouver (3) - Flames win 4–3	Western Conference Quarter-final vs. Vancouver (3) - Flames win 4–3
Game 	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	OT 	Decision 	Attendance 	Series 	
1 	April 7 	Calgary 	3 – 5 	Vancouver 	 	Kiprusoff 	18,630 	Vancouver leads 1–0 	
2 	April 9 	Calgary 	2 – 1 	Vancouver 	 	Kiprusoff 	18,630 	Series tied 1–1 	
3 	April 11 	Vancouver 	2 – 1 	Calgary 	 	Kiprusoff 	19,289 	Vancouver leads 2–1 	
4 	April 13 	Vancouver 	0 – 4 	Calgary 	 	Kiprusoff 	19,289 	Series tied 2–2 	
5 	April 15 	Calgary 	2 – 1 	Vancouver 	 	Kiprusoff 	18,630 	Calgary leads 3–2 	
6 	April 17 	Vancouver 	5 – 4 	Calgary 	3OT 	Kiprusoff 	19,289 	Series tied 3–3 	
7 	April 19 	Calgary 	3–2 	Vancouver 	OT 	Kiprusoff 	18,630 	Calgary wins 4–3 	
==Player stats==
Jarome Iginla's 41 goals placed him in a tie for the league lead, earning him his second Rocket Richard Trophy. Iginla shared the award with Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk and Columbus' Rick Nash, both of whom also scored 41 goals. Iginla also led the league in playoff goals, as his total of 13 was one better than Tampa's Brad Richards and Ruslan Fedotenko. Iginla led the team in scoring for the fourth consecutive season, 
Miikka Kiprusoff, acquired from the San Jose Sharks early in the season, set a modern NHL record low Goals Against Average of 1.69 in 39 games played. He recorded five shutouts in the playoffs, a franchise record. Kiprusoff's performance with the Flames led to his being named the starting goaltender for team Finland at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, where he led the Finns to the championship final. 
===Skaters===
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
  	 	 	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	 	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs
Player 	# 	 	GP 	G 	A 	Pts 	PIM 	 	GP 	G 	A 	Pts 	PIM
Jarome Iginla 	12 	 	81 	41 	32 	73 	84 	 	26 	13 	9 	22 	45
Craig Conroy 	22 	 	63 	8 	39 	47 	44 	 	26 	6 	11 	17 	12
Shean Donovan 	16 	 	82 	18 	24 	42 	72 	 	24 	5 	5 	10 	23
Martin Gelinas 	23 	 	76 	17 	18 	35 	70 	 	26 	8 	7 	15 	35
Jordan Leopold 	4 	 	82 	9 	24 	33 	24 	 	26 	0 	10 	10 	6
Dean McAmmond 	37 	 	64 	17 	13 	30 	18 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Matthew Lombardi 	18/49 	 	79 	16 	13 	29 	32 	 	13 	1 	5 	6 	4
Oleg Saprykin 	19 	 	69 	12 	17 	29 	41 	 	26 	3 	3 	6 	14
Steve Reinprecht 	27 	 	44 	7 	22 	29 	4 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Chris Clark 	17 	 	82 	10 	15 	25 	106 	 	26 	3 	3 	6 	30
Toni Lydman 	32 	 	67 	4 	16 	20 	30 	 	6 	0 	1 	1 	2
Robyn Regehr 	28 	 	82 	4 	14 	18 	74 	 	26 	2 	7 	9 	20
Chuck Kobasew 	7 	 	70 	6 	11 	17 	51 	 	26 	0 	1 	1 	24
Stephane Yelle 	11 	 	53 	4 	13 	17 	24 	 	23 	3 	3 	6 	16
Rhett Warrener 	44 	 	77 	3 	14 	17 	97 	 	24 	0 	1 	1 	6
Andrew Ference 	21 	 	72 	4 	12 	16 	53 	 	26 	0 	3 	3 	25
Denis Gauthier 	3 	 	80 	1 	15 	16 	113 	 	6 	0 	1 	1 	4
Ville Nieminen 	24 	 	19 	3 	5 	8 	18 	 	24 	4 	4 	8 	55
Krzysztof Oliwa 	33 	 	65 	3 	2 	5 	247 	 	20 	2 	0 	2 	6
Chris Simon† 	15 	 	13 	3 	2 	5 	25 	 	16 	5 	2 	7 	74
Marcus Nilson† 	26 	 	14 	0 	5 	5 	14 	 	26 	4 	7 	11 	12
Steve Montador 	5 	 	26 	1 	2 	3 	50 	 	20 	1 	2 	3 	6
Dave Lowry 	10 	 	18 	1 	1 	2 	11 	 	10 	0 	0 	0 	6
Lynn Loyns† 	20 	 	12 	0 	2 	2 	2 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Mike Commodore 	2 	 	12 	0 	0 	0 	25 	 	20 	0 	2 	2 	19
Martin Sonnenberg 	25 	 	5 	0 	0 	0 	2 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Brennan Evans 	— 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0
All traded players	— 	 	— 	3 	9 	12 	40 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Calgary. Stats reflect time with the Flames only.
Bold denotes league leader
===Goaltenders===
Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
  	 	 	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	 	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs
Player 	# 	 	GP 	TOI 	W 	L 	T 	GA 	SO 	Sv% 	GAA 	 	GP 	TOI 	W 	L 	GA 	SO 	Sv% 	GAA
Miikka Kiprusoff†	34 	 	38 	2301 	24 	10 	4 	65 	4 	.933 	1.69 	 	26 	1655 	15 	11 	51 	5 	.928 	1.85
Jamie McLennan‡ 	29 	 	26 	1446 	12 	9 	3 	53 	4 	.910 	2.20 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Roman Turek 	1 	 	18 	1031 	6 	11 	0 	40 	3 	.914 	2.33 	 	1 	19 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1.000 	0.00
Dany Sabourin 	50 	 	4 	169 	0 	3 	0 	10 	0 	.848 	3.55 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Calgary. Stats reflect time with the Flames only.
‡Traded mid-season
Bold text denotes league record
Italics denotes franchise record
==Transactions==
Prior to the season, the Flames sent restricted free agent Chris Drury to the Buffalo Sabres for defenceman Rhett Warrener and forward Steve Reinprecht, whom the Sabres had acquired from the Colorado Avalanche, then included in the Drury trade. Warrener especially was seen as being a key player for the Flames as they attempted to qualify for the playoffs.
The acquisition of Miikka Kiprusoff proved to be a significant turning point for the Flames' season. Darryl Sutter dealt for Kiprusoff after starting goaltender Roman Turek suffered a knee injury that left him unable to play for several months. Kiprusoff stabilized the Flames' goaltending situation, producing a league record low goals against average.
===Trades===
July 3, 2003 	To Calgary Flames Rhett WarrenerSteve Reinprecht 	To Buffalo Sabres Chris Drury
July 16, 1999 	To Calgary Flames 4th round pick in 2004Future Considerations	To Carolina Hurricanes Bob Boughner
November 16, 2003	To Calgary Flames Miikka Kiprusoff 	To San Jose Sharks 2nd round pick in 2005
January 9, 2004 	To Calgary Flames Lynn Loyns 	To San Jose Sharks Future Considerations
February 24, 2004	To Calgary Flames Ville Nieminen 	To Chicago Blackhawks Jason Morgan Conditional draft pick in 2005
March 6, 2004 	To Calgary Flames Chris Simon 7th round pick in 2004 	To New York Rangers Jamie McLennan Blair Betts Greg Moore
March 8, 2004 	To Calgary Flames Marcus Nilson 	To Florida Panthers 2nd round pick in 2004
===Free Agents===
{|class="wikitable"	
Player signed 	Former team
Krzysztof Oliwa	Boston Bruins
Josh Green 	Washington Capitals
Jesse Wallin 	Detroit Red Wings
Matt Davidson 	Columbus Blue Jackets
==Draft picks==
thumb|right|Dion Phaneuf was the Flames' first round selection, ninth overall.
The 2003 NHL Entry Draft was held in Nashville, Tennessee on June 21–22, 2003. The Flames selected nine players in the draft. Calgary selected offensive minded defenceman Dion Phaneuf with their first pick, ninth overall. Phaneuf's coach with the Red Deer Rebels described him as being a physical player on draft day. "This kid doesn't hit to hit. He hits to hurt. It's a mind-set that's rare in the game. At any level. You can't teach it, you can't fake it. You're either born with it, or you're not." Phaneuf quickly made an impact in the NHL, scoring 20 goals as a rookie in 2005–06, earning a nomination for the Calder Memorial Trophy as top rookie. Phaneuf was nominated for the Norris Trophy as top defenceman in 2007–08, just his third year in the NHL.
Rnd	Pick	Player 	Nationality	Position	Team (league) 	NHL statistics	NHL statistics	NHL statistics	NHL statistics	NHL statistics
Rnd	Pick	Player 	Nationality	Position	Team (league) 	GP 	G 	A 	Pts 	PIM
1 	9 	Dion Phaneuf 	 	D 	Red Deer Rebels (WHL) 	323 	65 	141 	206 	473
2 	39 	Tim Ramholt 	 	D 	Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
3 	97 	Ryan Donally 	 	LW 	Windsor Spitfires (OHL) 	 	 	 	 	
4 	112 	Jamie Tardif 	 	RW 	Peterborough Petes (OHL) 	 	 	 	 	
5 	143 	Greg Moore 	 	RW 	University of Maine (Hockey East) 	6 	0 	0 	0 	0
6 	173 	Tyler Johnson 	 	C 	Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) 	 	 	 	 	
7 	206 	Thomas Bellemare	 	D 	Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) 	 	 	 	 	
8 	240 	Cam Cunning 	 	LW 	Kamloops Blazers (WHL) 	 	 	 	 	
9 	270 	Kevin Harvey 	 	LW 	Georgetown Raiders (OPJHL) 	 	 	 	 	
*Statistics are updated to the end of the 2008–09 NHL season. Players in italics were active on an NHL roster in 2008–09.
==Farm teams==
===Lowell Lock Monsters===
After shutting down the Saint John Flames, the Flames entered into an agreement to share an affiliation with the Lowell Lockmonsters with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Lockmonsters posted a 32–36–6–6 record, out of the playoffs with a 6th place finish in the Atlantic Division.
===Las Vegas Wranglers===
The Las Vegas Wranglers entered the ECHL as an expansion team, immediately entering an affiliation agreement with the Flames. The team was immediately competitive, finishing second in the Pacific Division with a 43–22–7 record. This did not translate into the playoffs however, as the Wranglers lost in the divisional semi-finals.
==See also==
*2003–04 NHL season
==References==
*Player stats: 2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide - 2003–04 stats, pg. 108.
*Game log: 2003–04 Calgary Flames game log on espn.com
*Team standings: 2003–04 NHL standings at hockeydb.com
Category:Calgary Flames seasons
Category:2003 in hockey
Category:2004 in hockey