A history of Flames numbers: #18, Matt Stajan

Matt Stajan’s number, before the Flames got him from Toronto, was #14. The problem? Well, #14 has kind of been permanently taken here. It’s not going to be worn again – and it’s not available. (Will there ever be a formal retirement? Well, who’s to say.)

So he took #18 instead. It’s had brief flashes of greatness, and right after them, it’s had Stajan.

Stajan is the 20th player in Flames franchise history to wear #18:

Hey, he’s the second Matt, too! And the eighth centre. This is almost exclusively forwards, except Yawney, a former defenceman, is in there too, for some reason. He’s currently an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks though, and maybe could have been a potential candidate for the Flames at some point? But probably not. But maybe; his name was floating around the Ducks’ vacancy for a while, at least.

Also check it out, rookie Nieuwendyk!

Obviously it’s Nieuwendyk and his, like, nine games wearing #18. 

Overall, though? There are very slim pickings here. Drury is next, but he was only a Flame for one season. Rota was in Atlanta for a grand total of 57 games. McInnis hit the 91 game mark, and then it’s Stajan, who has somehow already spent seven seasons in Calgary. (Time flies, doesn’t it?)

Unfortunately, it does look like Stajan’s best years are very much behind him.