FN’s All-Time Greatest Flames Team: Tim Hunter
8 years ago
Back
in the day there wasn’t much of a Battle of Alberta. In fact, Oilers versus
Flames games were incredibly lopsided to the north. Night in and night out the
Flames would be dominated both physically and talent-wise by the dynasty up
Highway 2.
in the day there wasn’t much of a Battle of Alberta. In fact, Oilers versus
Flames games were incredibly lopsided to the north. Night in and night out the
Flames would be dominated both physically and talent-wise by the dynasty up
Highway 2.
Then,
on October 12, 1982, a green 22-year-old kid named Tim Hunter stepped up
alongside the most feared enforcer in the Campbell Conference, the Oilers’ Dave
Semenko. The fight ended with Tim Hunter as the victor and from that game on,
the playing field was levelled in the Battle of Alberta. The Flames could now play
their star players without risk of being manhandled by one of the Oilers’ tough
guys. Hunter was one of the only enforcers in NHL history to give Semenko a
rough ride; so much so that the Oilers had to come up with an answer for this
new Flames kid. Their answer was Marty McSorley – the one fighter who could go
toe-to-toe with Tim Hunter.
on October 12, 1982, a green 22-year-old kid named Tim Hunter stepped up
alongside the most feared enforcer in the Campbell Conference, the Oilers’ Dave
Semenko. The fight ended with Tim Hunter as the victor and from that game on,
the playing field was levelled in the Battle of Alberta. The Flames could now play
their star players without risk of being manhandled by one of the Oilers’ tough
guys. Hunter was one of the only enforcers in NHL history to give Semenko a
rough ride; so much so that the Oilers had to come up with an answer for this
new Flames kid. Their answer was Marty McSorley – the one fighter who could go
toe-to-toe with Tim Hunter.
Over
his career, Tim Hunter made short work of other team’s enforcers (and
legitimate goons) as well, including Glen Cochrane, Harold Snepts, Chris Nilan,
Gord Donnelly, Dave Brown and Ken Baumgartner as well as about a bajillion
others. Hunter took his role seriously and at a time when star players were
continuously targeted, Hunter remains to this day one of the most important role
players to ever wear the flaming ‘C’.
his career, Tim Hunter made short work of other team’s enforcers (and
legitimate goons) as well, including Glen Cochrane, Harold Snepts, Chris Nilan,
Gord Donnelly, Dave Brown and Ken Baumgartner as well as about a bajillion
others. Hunter took his role seriously and at a time when star players were
continuously targeted, Hunter remains to this day one of the most important role
players to ever wear the flaming ‘C’.
CAREER
STATISTICS
Just
take a look at that PIMs column for a minute. No quantifiable statistic shows
Tim Hunter’s sacrifice to the Calgary Flames more than his career penalty
minutes. That number particularly sticks out like a sore thumb in the 1988-89
season where he not only led the NHL in penalty minutes, but helped lead his
team to the franchise’s only Stanley Cup.
take a look at that PIMs column for a minute. No quantifiable statistic shows
Tim Hunter’s sacrifice to the Calgary Flames more than his career penalty
minutes. That number particularly sticks out like a sore thumb in the 1988-89
season where he not only led the NHL in penalty minutes, but helped lead his
team to the franchise’s only Stanley Cup.
MOST
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
NSFW:
FLAMES
MILESTONES
- Franchise leader in PIMs (2,405)
- Single season franchise leader in PIMs (375)
- Appears six times in the Flames top-10 single season PIMs leaders
LEGACY
It’s
no secret what Tim Hunter will be remembered for. He was an enforcer (not a
goon) and one of the best to have ever played the role not only on the Flames,
but in the NHL.
no secret what Tim Hunter will be remembered for. He was an enforcer (not a
goon) and one of the best to have ever played the role not only on the Flames,
but in the NHL.
Hunter was also revered as a teammate and
leader. His leadership earned him shared captaincy alongside Jim Peplinski and
Lanny McDonald. Also, before there were in-house nutritionists and strength and
conditioning coaches, Hunter was looked upon to instil that knowledge to the
young players. Ultimately, that is the legacy Tim Hunter has left on the
Calgary Flames.
leader. His leadership earned him shared captaincy alongside Jim Peplinski and
Lanny McDonald. Also, before there were in-house nutritionists and strength and
conditioning coaches, Hunter was looked upon to instil that knowledge to the
young players. Ultimately, that is the legacy Tim Hunter has left on the
Calgary Flames.
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