1985–86 Calgary Flames season

The 1985–86 Calgary Flames season was the sixth season in Calgary and 14th for the Flames franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flames finished 2nd in the Smythe Division and lost in the 1986 Stanley Cup Finals to the Montreal Canadiens 4 games to 1.
==Regular Season==
It was a banner season for the Flames, who overcame a franchise record eleven game losing streak to finish 2nd in the Smythe Division and captured the franchise's first Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as Campbell Conference champions. In doing so, they became the first Calgary team to reach the Stanley Cup Finals since the Calgary Tigers in 1923–24. The Flames season ended at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, who defeated Calgary in five games in the Final.
The season began with the departure of franchise leading scorer Kent Nilsson who was sent to the Minnesota North Stars in a trade. Rookie goaltender Mike Vernon emerged as the team's top goaltender and Joe Mullen was acquired in a major trade midway through the season. Gary Suter captured the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie while also being named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. Additionally, Suter was the team's lone representative at the 1986 All-Star Game. Hakan Loob captured the Molson Cup.
The Flames upset the heavily favoured Edmonton Oilers in the Smythe Division final to end the Oilers' hopes of winning a third consecutive championship. The series winning goal was scored into his own net by Oilers rookie Steve Smith. As Smith collapsed to the ice, Flames players celebrated the difference maker in what would finish as a 3–2 Calgary win. Smith's error remains one of the most legendary blunders in hockey history.
The Flames began the year with a similar roster as finished the 1984–85 season,Mummery, 1989, p. 68 with one major exception. Kent Nilsson, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, was dealt to the Minnesota North Stars for two draft picks. Nilsson was viewed as a player with immense talent who ended each season as a perennial disappointment in the playoffs. Though he scored 99 points the season before, the Flames received few offers before agreeing to send him to Minnesota.Duhatschek, 1986, pp. 55–56 As the deal provided no immediate help for the team, co-captain Doug Risebrough anticipated that 1985–86 would be a transitional year for the Flames and the loss of Nilsson might force the team to play a more defensive style when compared to the team that finished second in league scoring the year previous.
The season opened in Calgary with a game against the Winnipeg Jets, the team that eliminated the Flames in the first round of the previous spring's playoffs. It ended with an 8–3 victory for the Flames, but not before a bench-clearing brawl resulted in the ejection of five players. Calgary was one of the top teams in the league in the early going, standing third overall on December 10 with a 15–8–3 record.
Four nights later, they were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks, 4–3, and continued losing for nearly a month. After the Hartford Whalers handily defeated the Flames 9–1 on January 7, 1986, to send Calgary to its 11th consecutive defeat, a franchise record,Duhatschek, 1986, p. 52 coach Bob Johnson promised changes. Among them was the recall of goaltender Mike Vernon from the Moncton Golden Flames, who was given the start ahead of Rejean Lemelin in their next game, against Vancouver. He held the Flames in the game long enough for Jim Peplinski to score in the first minute of overtime for a 5–4 victory that ended the eighth-longest losing streak in NHL history.Duhatschek, 1986, p. 53
During the losing streak, on December 29, the Flames hosted Soviet team Dynamo Moscow in an exhibition game as part of the 1986 Super Series. Vernon was given the start for the game to let Lemelin rest and led Calgary to a 4–3 victory over Dynamo. It was the Flames' second victory in three years against a Soviet league club, and came despite what the team considered biased officiating by the Russian referee working the game.
The team enjoyed greater success in the second half of the season, finishing the final 40 games with a record of 22–12–5. Vernon established himself as the starting goaltender by mid February and finished the regular season with only three losses in 15 decisions. The Flames ended the season in second place in the Smythe Division, sixth overall in the NHL, with 89 points.Mummery, 1989, p. 69 Seeking to upgrade the team's offence as the playoffs approached, General Manager Cliff Fletcher completed a six-player trade with the St. Louis Blues that brought Joe Mullen, a player who had scored at least 40 goals each of his previous two seasons, to Calgary. A second deal in March had the Flames acquire four-time Stanley Cup champion John Tonelli from the New York Islanders and initiated a war of words with Edmonton Oilers general manager and coach Glen Sather, who accused Islanders general manager Bill Torrey of trying to help Fletcher eliminate the Oilers in the upcoming playoffs.Duhatschek, 1986, p. 62
===Final Standings===
===Game Log===
1985–86 Game Log
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1985–86 Game Log
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1985–86 Game Log
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1985–86 Game Log
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1985–86 Game Log
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1985–86 Game Log
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1985–86 Game Log
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1985–86 Game Log
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	October: 5–5–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 1–3–0)	October: 5–5–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 1–3–0)	October: 5–5–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 1–3–0)	October: 5–5–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 1–3–0)	October: 5–5–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 1–3–0)	October: 5–5–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 1–3–0)	October: 5–5–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 1–3–0)	October: 5–5–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 1–3–0)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	OT	Record	Pts	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1 	October 11	Winnipeg 	3 – 8	Calgary 	 	1–0–0 	2 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2 	October 13	Calgary 	9 – 2	Los Angeles	 	2–0–0 	4 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
3 	October 16	St. Louis 	2 – 1	Calgary 	 	2–1–0 	4 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
4 	October 19	Boston 	6 – 3	Calgary 	 	2–2–0 	4 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
5 	October 20	Calgary 	5 – 8	Winnipeg 	 	2–3–0 	4 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
6 	October 23	Washington	2 – 4	Calgary 	 	3–3–0 	6 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
7 	October 25	Calgary 	3 – 5	Edmonton 	 	3–4–0 	6 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
8 	October 26	Detroit 	4 – 7	Calgary 	 	4–4–0 	8 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
9 	October 28	Calgary 	3 – 5	Edmonton 	 	4–5–0 	8 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
10	October 30	Buffalo 	2 – 4	Calgary 	 	5–5–0 	10 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
==Playoffs==
===Calgary Flames 3, Winnipeg Jets 0===
The Flames began the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs with a Smythe semi-final match-up against the Winnipeg Jets, the team that eliminated them in the first round the previous season. Calgary won the best-of-five series in three consecutive games, eliminating the Jets on a Lanny McDonald overtime goal in the third game.Mummery, 1989, p. 72 The victory set up a best-of-seven Smythe Division final against the two-time defending champion Edmonton Oilers.
===Calgary Flames 4, Edmonton Oilers 3===
The Flames opened the series in Edmonton with a 4–1 victory, the first loss the Oilers had suffered on home ice in 18 playoff games. The two teams traded victories through the first six games, leading to a deciding seventh game in Edmonton.Mummery, 1989, p. 73 The Flames stepped out to an early 2–0 lead before the Oilers tied it. Disaster then struck Edmonton at the 5:14 mark of the third period. Oilers' rookie defenceman Steve Smith, attempting to play the puck from behind his own goal line, accidentally shot the puck off Oilers goaltender Grant Fuhr's skate and into his own net. As Smith collapsed to the ice in shock, the Flames celebrated the goal that was ultimately credited to Perry Berezan. He was the last Flame to touch the puck, though he was no longer on the ice when it went in. The Oilers were unable to come back, losing the game, 3–2, series, 4–3, and ending their hopes of winning a third consecutive Stanley Cup. Smith's blunder remains one of the most legendary errors in NHL history.
===Calgary Flames 4, St. Louis Blues 3===
The Campbell Conference Final against the St. Louis Blues was also a back and forth affair in which the Flames take a 3–2 series lead into the sixth game in St. Louis. Calgary led the sixth game 5–2 with 12 minutes to play before three quick goals by the Blues sent the game into overtime. Doug Wickenheiser scored to win the game for the Blues.Mummery, 1989, p. 78 The comeback came to be known as the Monday Night Miracle in St. Louis. The Flames rebounded in game seven, winning 2–1 to claim the first Clarence S. Campbell Bowl in franchise history as Campbell Conference champions. The victory also sent the Flames to their first Stanley Cup final. It was the first time a team representing the city played in the final since the Calgary Tigers lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the 1924 Stanley Cup Finals.
===Montreal Canadiens 4, Calgary Flames 1===
Their opponent in 1986 was also the Canadiens in what constituted the first all-Canadian final since 1967. Calgary opened the series with a 5–2 victory at home in the battle of rookie goaltenders: Vernon against Patrick Roy. Montreal evened the series with a 3–2 overtime victory in game two in which Brian Skrudland set an NHL record for the fastest overtime goal in playoff history when he scored nine seconds into the extra frame. Already missing three key players in Carey Wilson, Colin Patterson and Nick Fotiu due to injury, the Flames lost their top scorer in Joe Mullen to a neck injury during a game two loss.Mummery, 1989, p. 80 The Canadiens also won the third game as the series shifted to Montreal, and 1–0 Calgary loss in game four pushed the Flames to the brink of elimination. Montreal broke out to a 4–1 lead in the fifth game, at Calgary, before the Flames made a comeback attempt. They scored with less than four minutes remaining, and then moved within one goal when Mullen – who returned for game five wearing a neck brace – scored with 46 seconds remaining. A desperate push for the tying goal fell short when Roy made several key saves as time expired. Montreal celebrated the 23rd Stanley Cup championship in their franchise history as the fans loudly chanted "thank you Flames, thank you Flames" in appreciation of their team's efforts.
1986 Stanley Cup playoffs
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1986 Stanley Cup playoffs
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1986 Stanley Cup playoffs
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1986 Stanley Cup playoffs
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1986 Stanley Cup playoffs
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1986 Stanley Cup playoffs
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1986 Stanley Cup playoffs
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	1986 Stanley Cup playoffs
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	Smythe Division Semi-final vs. Winnipeg - Flames win 3–0	Smythe Division Semi-final vs. Winnipeg - Flames win 3–0	Smythe Division Semi-final vs. Winnipeg - Flames win 3–0	Smythe Division Semi-final vs. Winnipeg - Flames win 3–0	Smythe Division Semi-final vs. Winnipeg - Flames win 3–0	Smythe Division Semi-final vs. Winnipeg - Flames win 3–0	Smythe Division Semi-final vs. Winnipeg - Flames win 3–0	Smythe Division Semi-final vs. Winnipeg - Flames win 3–0
Game	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	OT	Series 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1 	April 9 	Winnipeg	1 – 5	Calgary 	 	Calgary leads 1–0		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2 	April 10	Winnipeg	4 – 6	Calgary 	 	Calgary leads 2–0		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
3 	April 12	Calgary 	4 – 3	Winnipeg	OT	Calgary wins 3–0 		 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
===Battle of Alberta===
The Battle of Alberta dominated the Flames' focus late in the season as they continued to struggle against their provincial rival. The two-time defending champion Oilers were nearly unbeatable against Calgary, losing just five of 31 matchups over three years. Calgary's frustration against Edmonton was highlighted by a mid-season game where, after a large brawl that resulted in the ejection of five players from the game, Calgary's Doug Risebrough ended up in the penalty box with Marty McSorley's Oilers jersey. Risebrough shredded the jersey with his skates before tossing it back onto the ice. Oilers' coach Glen Sather, enraged by the act, called Risebrough "childish" and threatened to send him a $1000 bill to replace the sweater.
Realizing Calgary's path to the Stanley Cup would go through Edmonton, coach Bob Johnson devised a seven point plan for beating the Oilers that focused on limiting Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri's creativity, limiting access to the left side of the ice where the Oiler's top stars liked to skate, leaving their physical players on the ice by not engaging them and utilizing Neil Sheehy and Colin Patterson in roles designed to frustrate the Oiler players.Mummery, 1989, p. 77 Johnson first utilized the strategy in a late season game that ended in a 4–4 tie. The Flames then defeated the Oilers 9–3 in their final regular season meeting, a game that ended with another brawl and accusations by both teams that the other was sending their goons out after talented players.
The rivalry extended into the stands in the second game of the Smythe Division final in Edmonton. During the game, trainer Bearcat Murray went into the stands to rescue his son Al, also a trainer for the Flames, and tore ligaments in his leg in the process. Al had gone into the stands in an attempt to retrieve Gary Suter's stick, which had been knocked into the crowd and was being hidden by Oiler fans. Fearing for his son's safety, Bearcat jumped into the fray himself, suffering the injury. While being wheeled into an ambulance, Murray blew kisses for the cameras. The incident caught the attention of a group of fans in Boston, who formed the "Bearcat Murray Fan Club", and began showing up at the Boston Garden wearing skull caps and oversized moustaches mimicking Murray's looks when the Flames played there. The Flames lost players on the ice during the physical series as well, as Carey Wilson required surgery to remove his spleen after he was "skewered" by Steve Smith, according to Johnson.Duhatschek, 1986, p. 23 Suter had his season ended after suffering torn ligaments in his knee following a low hit by Mark Messier.
When the seventh game ended in victory, Flames fans in both Calgary and at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton spilled onto the streets in celebration. The "C of Red" was born in that playoff series as fans responded to a promotion to wear the colour with such enthusiasm that many stores across the city sold out of red clothing.Duhatschek, 1986, pp. 149–150 The effect was most pronounced during games, where nearly every fan in the Saddledome was in red. The C of Red inspired the Winnipeg Jets to create their White Out the following year.
==Player Stats==
===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
Dan Quinn 	10 	 	78 	30 	42 	72 	44 	 	18 	8 	7 	15 	10
Lanny McDonald 	9 	 	80 	28 	43 	71 	44 	 	22 	11 	7 	18 	30
Gary Suter 	20 	 	80 	18 	50 	68 	141 	 	10 	2 	8 	10 	8
Al MacInnis 	2 	 	77 	11 	57 	68 	76 	 	21 	4 	15 	19 	30
Hakan Loob 	12 	 	68 	31 	36 	67 	36 	 	22 	4 	10 	14 	6
Joel Otto 	29 	 	79 	25 	34 	59 	188 	 	22 	5 	10 	15 	80
Jim Peplinski 	24 	 	77 	25 	35 	59 	214 	 	22 	5 	9 	14 	107
Carey Wilson 	33 	 	76 	29 	29 	58 	24 	 	9 	0 	2 	2 	2
Steve Bozek 	26 	 	64 	21 	22 	43 	24 	 	14 	2 	6 	8 	32
Doug Risebrough 	8 	 	62 	15 	28 	43 	169 	 	22 	7 	9 	16 	38
Joe Mullen 	7 	 	29 	16 	22 	38 	11 	 	21 	12 	7 	19 	4
Perry Berezan 	21 	 	55 	12 	21 	33 	39 	 	8 	1 	1 	2 	6
Paul Reinhart 	23 	 	32 	8 	25 	33 	15 	 	21 	5 	13 	18 	4
Jamie Macoun 	34 	 	77 	11 	21 	32 	81 	 	22 	1 	6 	7 	23
Richard Kromm 	22 	 	63 	12 	17 	29 	31 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Colin Patterson 	11 	 	61 	14 	13 	27 	22 	 	19 	6 	3 	9 	10
Steve Konroyd 	3 	 	59 	7 	20 	27 	64 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Eddy Beers 	27 	 	33 	11 	10 	21 	8 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Neil Sheehy 	5 	 	65 	2 	16 	18 	271 	 	22 	0 	2 	2 	79
Tim Hunter 	19 	 	66 	8 	7 	15 	291 	 	19 	0 	3 	3 	108
Gino Cavallini 	6 	 	27 	7 	7 	14 	26 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Charlie Bourgeois	28 	 	29 	5 	5 	10 	128 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Paul Baxter 	4 	 	47 	4 	3 	7 	194 	 	13 	0 	1 	1 	55
John Tonelli 	27 	 	9 	3 	4 	7 	10 	 	22 	7 	9 	16 	49
Terry Johnson 	6 	 	24 	1 	4 	5 	71 	 	17 	0 	3 	3 	64
Rejean Lemelin 	31 	 	60 	0 	5 	5 	10 	 	3 	0 	1 	1 	0
Yves Courteau 	25 	 	4 	1 	1 	2 	0 	 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
Brian Bradley 	14 	 	5 	0 	1 	1 	0 	 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
Nick Fotiu 	22 	 	9 	0 	1 	1 	21 	 	11 	0 	1 	1 	34
Mike Vernon 	30 	 	18 	0 	1 	1 	4 	 	21 	0 	1 	1 	0
Robin Bartell 	15 	 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	 	6 	0 	0 	0 	16
Dale DeGray 	28 	 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Mark Lamb 	16 	 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Rik Wilson 	32 	 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Marc D'Amour 	1 	 	15 	0 	0 	0 	22 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Mike Eaves 	17 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	 	8 	1 	1 	2 	8
Brett Hull 	16 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Mullen scored 44 goals and 90 points combined between St. Louis and Calgary, both totals led the Flames over a full season.
 Eaves came out of retirement May 4, 1986, to replace Carey Wilson, who was injured in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Calgary. Stats reflect time with the Flames only.
‡Traded mid-season.
===Goaltenders===
Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
  	 	 	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	 	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs
Player 	# 	 	GP 	TOI 	W 	L 	T 	GA 	SO 	GAA 	 	GP 	TOI 	W 	L 	GA 	SO 	GAA
Mike Vernon 	30 	 	18 	921 	9 	3 	3 	52 	1 	3.39 	 	21 	1229 	12 	9 	60 	0 	2.93
Marc D'Amour 	1 	 	15 	560 	2 	4 	2 	32 	0 	3.43 	 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
Rejean Lemelin	31 	 	60 	3369 	29 	24 	4 	229 	1 	4.08 	 	3 	109 	0 	1 	7 	0 	3.85
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
==Awards and Records==
Listed at five feet, nine inches tall by NHL Central Scouting, defenceman Gary Suter was considered too small for the NHL and went unselected at both the 1982 and 1983 NHL Entry Drafts. Suter moved on to the University of Wisconsin where Flames scouts noted that he had grown two inches and was a leading player for his team. Calgary selected him with their 9th round selection in 1984.Duhatschek, 1986, p. 93 He joined the Flames in 1985–86 and quickly established himself as the team's top defenceman in the eyes of his coaches and teammates.Duhatschek, 1986, p. 95 Suter finished the season with 18 goals and 68 points and was awarded the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie in addition to being named to the All-Rookie Team. Additionally, Suter was the Flames' lone representative at the 1986 All-Star Game. Suter's 68 points was the second highest total by a rookie defenceman in league history, behind Larry Murphy's 76.
League Awards	League Awards 	League Awards	League Awards
Player 	Award 	 	
Gary Suter 	Calder Memorial Trophy	 	
Gary Suter 	NHL All-Rookie Team 	 	
Team Awards 	Team Awards 	Team Awards 	Team Awards
Hakan Loob 	Molson Cup 	 	
==Transactions==
The draft-day trade that sent franchise scoring leader Kent Nilsson to Minnesota, along with a third round selection, for second round draft picks in 1985 and 1987 was immediately controversial in Calgary as players and fans were divided on the merit of dealing Nilsson. While some players felt the trade was inevitable, others expressed their disappointment at the move, including co-captain Lanny McDonald, who wondered how the team would replace Nilsson's offensive production. Former teammate Willi Plett supported the trade, noting Nilsson's inconsistency: "Maybe I shouldn't be saying this, but trading a player like him, it never hurts you."
The Flames completed a second significant trade in February, acquiring scoring forward Joe Mullen along with defencemen Terry Johnson and Rik Wilson from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Ed Beers, Charlie Bourgeois and Gino Cavallini. The Flames had targeted Mullen, who had scored 40+ goals each of his previous two seasons and had 28 for the Blues at the time of the deal, believing he could be a game breaker for them heading into the playoffs.
===Trades===
May 29, 1985 	To Calgary Flames4th round pick in 1987 (Tim Harris) 	To Toronto Maple LeafsDon Edwards
June 15, 1985 	To Calgary Flames2nd round pick in 1985 (Joe Nieuwendyk)2nd round pick in 1987 (Stephane Matteau)	To Minnesota North StarsKent Nilsson3rd round pick in 1986 (Brad Turner)
January 16, 1986	To Calgary FlamesTom Thornbury 	To Quebec NordiquesTony Stiles
February 1, 1986	To Calgary FlamesJoe MullenTerry JohnsonRik Wilson 	To St. Louis BluesEd BeersCharlie BourgeoisGino Cavallini
March 11, 1986 	To Calgary FlamesJohn Tonelli 	To New York IslandersSteve KonroydRich Kromm
March 11, 1986 	To Calgary FlamesNick Fotiu 	To New York RangersFuture Considerations
March 11, 1986 	To Calgary FlamesTom McMurchy 	To Chicago Black HawksRik Wilson
===Free Agents===
{|class="wikitable"	
Player 	Former team
D Robin Bartell	Canadian national team
LW Bob Bodak 	Springfield Indians (AHL)
==Draft Picks==
The 1985 NHL Entry Draft was held in Toronto, Ontario on June 15. The Flames used their first round pick, 17th overall, on American defenceman Chris Biotti. The team was surprised that he had fallen to them, believing Biotti to be the best defenceman available and expressing confidence he would be a star in the NHL. Their predictions ultimately proved unfounded. After spending two seasons at Harvard University, Biotti played three seasons for their minor league team in Salt Lake and another two in Europe before retiring. He never appeared in a National Hockey League game.
With the second round pick acquired from Minnesota in the Nilsson trade, Calgary selected East Coast Athletic Conference rookie of the year Joe Nieuwendyk from Cornell University. Labeled "Joe who?" by media and fans unsure of his potential, Nieuwendyk ultimately had the longest NHL career of any Flames' selection in this draft. He appeared in 1,257 games, scoring 1,126 points and won the Stanley Cup with Calgary in 1989, the Dallas Stars in 1999 and the New Jersey Devils in 2003, in addition to a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
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 	17 	Chris Biotti 	 	D 	Belmont Hill (USHS-Mass) 	 	 	 	 	
2 	27 	Joe Nieuwendyk 	 	C 	Cornell University (ECAC) 	1257 	564 	562 	1126 	677
2 	38 	Jeff Wenaas 	 	C 	Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) 	 	 	 	 	
3 	59 	Lane MacDonald 	 	LW 	Harvard University (ECAC) 	 	 	 	 	
4 	80 	Roger Johansson 	 	D 	IF Troja-Ljungby (Sweden) 	161 	9 	34 	43 	163
5 	101 	Esa Keskinen 	 	C 	TPS (SM-liiga) 	 	 	 	 	
6 	122 	Tim Sweeney 	 	LW 	Weymouth-North (USHS-Mass)	291 	55 	83 	138 	123
7 	143 	Stu Grimson 	 	LW 	Regina Pats (WHL) 	729 	17 	22 	39 	2113
8 	164 	Nate Smith 	 	D 	N/A 	 	 	 	 	
9 	185 	Darryl Olsen 	 	D 	St. Albert Saints (AJHL) 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
10 	206 	Peter Romberg 	 	D 	ECD Iserlohn (W. Germany) 	 	 	 	 	
11 	227 	Alexander Kozhevnikov	 	F 	Spartak Moscow (USSR) 	 	 	 	 	
12 	248 	Bill Gregoire 	 	D 	Victoria Cougars (WHL) 	 	 	 	 	
==References==
;General
*Player stats: 
*Game log: 
*Team standings: 1985–86 NHL standings at The Internet Hockey Database
*
*
*
;Footnotes
Category:Calgary Flames seasons
Category:1985 in hockey
Category:1986 in hockey