It was involved in a package to the Philadelphia Flyers that brought Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee to the Flames, a solid trade because the Flames have another second-round pick, the 54th overall selection.

Of course, the Flames will also select 31st or 32nd, depending on whether the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup or not. But in this article, we’ll look at the history of the 54th overall, including the players the Flames have picked, as well as any notable players.

Flames select Tim Hunter in 1979

One of the Atlanta Flames’ final picks in Atlanta was with the 54th overall pick, selecting forward Tim Hunter from the Seattle Breakers. Hunter had a lengthy career that spanned from 1981-82 until 1996-97, winning the Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1988-89. His final season with the Flames was in 1991-92, before finishing his career playing for the Québec Nordiques, Vancouver Canucks, and San Jose Sharks.

Hunter is best known as an enforcer, accumulating 3,146 penalty minutes in 815 games, the eighth-most in NHL history.

Flames select Mathias Johansson in 1992

Another player who played National Hockey League games and was selected 54th overall by the Flames is Swedish forward Mathias Johansson.

Despite being selected in the 1992 draft, Johansson didn’t make his NHL debut until the 2002-03 season, where he scored four goals and nine points in 46 games. On Mar. 11, 2003, the Flames sent him and Micki DuPont to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Shean Donovan, a big help for their Stanley Cup run in 2004.

The 2002-03 season was Johansson’s only season in the NHL, returning to Sweden before finishing out his career with an Italian team in 2009-10.

Flames select Hunter Smith in 2014

The Flames’ other two picks never played in an NHL game. In 2014, they used the 54th overall pick to draft right winger Hunter Smith. In 2014-15, he and the Oshawa Generals won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, followed by winning the Memorial Cup.

Unfortunately, Smith didn’t find the same success in professional hockey, playing just two seasons with the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat, as well as two seasons in the ECHL.

Smith hasn’t played since 2018-19.

Flames Select Tyler Parsons in 2016

Two years later, the Flames selected netminder Tyler Parsons with the 54th overall pick. Parsons won the J. Ross Robertson Cup and Memorial Cup the year after Smith, leading to the Flames taking a shot on the 6’1” netminder. The following season, he led Team USA to a Gold Medal at the 2017 World Juniors.

Unfortunately, his professional career didn’t pan out as he played just 81 games between the AHL and ECHL over four years.

Notable players selected 54th overall

Out of the 55 drafts that have had a 54th overall pick, only 19 players have played 100 or more games. The 18th overall pick has produced five All-Stars, but the 54th overall has only produced two, which isn’t that surprising.

Both of those All-Stars are arguably one of the best at their position in their era. In 1991, the Detroit Red Wings picked Chris Osgood 54th overall. The netminder went on to have a lengthy career spanning from 1993-94 until 2010-11. In total, Osgood won three Stanley Cups with the Wings. In total, he had a .905 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average, which isn’t bad after adjusting to the era.

The 18th overall pick doesn’t have a Hall of Famer selected with it, but the 54th spot will likely get one soon. Duncan Keith was selected 54th overall in the 2002 draft. Like Osgood, Keith went on to win three Stanley Cups, but also won two Norris Trophies, a Conn Smyth Trophy, and two Olympic Gold Medals. Don’t be surprised if Keith is named to the Hockey Hall of Fame later this month.

Keith’s 1,256 games were the most from any player picked 54th overall. The only other player to reach 1,000 games is Gordie Roberts (1979). Curt Giles and Tim Hunter both have played over 800 games.

Artem Anisimov’s 180 goals are the most for any player selected 54th overall, while Keith’s 646 points are the most points for a 54th overall selection. Only six players have over 100 points from the 54th overall selection: Roberts, Giles, Hunter, and Zdeno Cíger.

There are a few active NHL players who were selected 54th overall. Justin Holl is the oldest player still active in the NHL, drafted 54th overall, as he was selected in 2010. The most notable player selected 54th, who is still playing, is Buffalo Sabres’ netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He has an .898 save percentage and 3.05 goals against average in 155 career games, having a strong 2023-24.

Moreover, three other young players played in the NHL this season: Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Emil Andrae, and Matthew Poitras, the latter is one of the Boston Bruins’ top prospects. Jack Peart, Jakub Dvorak, and Jesse Pulkkinen all have a chance at making their debuts in the coming seasons.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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