Long-Timers: Paul Ranheim

In the 102-year history of the National Hockey League, 348 individuals have played 1,000 or more regular season games. 44 of them, or 12.6%, have played some part of their career with the Atlanta or Calgary Flames. We call these players Long-Timers.

Let’s take a look at Paul Ranheim.

Originally from St. Louis but raised in Minnesota, Ranheim went to college for four seasons at the University of Wisconsin. He was a second round pick of the Flames in the 1984 NHL Draft. He went pro in 1988, spending most of the 1988-89 season with the IHL’s Salt Lake Golden Eagles.

Becoming a full-time NHLer in 1989-90, Ranheim established himself as a reliable secondary offensive weapon for the Flames. He missed most of the 1990-91 season with an injury, but bounced back the following season.

Ranheim’s time with the Flames ended at the 1994 trade deadline, traded to Hartford with Gary Suter and Ted Drury for Zarley Zalapski, James Patrick and Michael Nylander. He stayed with the Whalers through their relocation to Carolina. He was what he was with the Flames, a reliable but unspectacular secondary player.

He was traded to the Flyers in 2000 for an eighth round pick. He gradually began to slide down the rotation for the Flyers during his couple seasons in Philly. He was traded midway through 2002-03 to Phoenix. for future considerations and closed out his playing career as a depth body for the Coyotes.

After his playing days were done, Ranheim went home to Minnesota and got into coaching high school hockey. He’s presently assistant coach for Eden Prairie.