One Game Wonders: Scott Sharples

In the history of the Flames franchise, 606 players have tugged a red sweater over their heads and suited up for a regular season game. Of those, 22 played just a single game for either the Calgary or Atlanta Flames. We call them One Game Wonders.

Let’s talk about a One Game Wonder, goalie Scott Sharples.

Sharples was a ninth round selection of the Flames in the 1986 NHL Draft. He was a star goalie at the time for the junior A Penticton Knights – the precursor to the Vees – and backstopped them to the Centennial Cup in his draft year.

From there, he spent four seasons with the University of Michigan Wolverines where he was a solid but not elite college goalie. He signed with the Flames after his senior year and joined the International League’s Salt Lake Golden Eagles. He spent a pair of years in the IHL, tandeming with Steve Guenette in 1990-91 and Jason Muzzatti in 1991-92. In both seasons, his numbers were solid but he was out-performed by his teammate.

With his contract running out and the Flames eliminated from playoff contention, Sharples was called up to play the final game of the 1991-92 season. He made 36 saves in a 4-4 tie against Vancouver on April 16, 1992. He apparently didn’t impress enough, as he wasn’t re-signed and the minor league squad rotated Muzzatti, Trevor Kidd and Andrei Trefilov the following sason.

Sharples landed with the Leafs organization, splitting the 1992-93 season between the AHL’s St. John’s Maple Leafs and the Brantford Smoke of the Colonial League. From there, he disappeared from pro hockey.