On Oct. 15, 1983, the Calgary Flames played their first regular season game at the Olympic Saddledome, when they hosted the Edmonton Oilers. On Apr. 10, 2026, they’ll play their final regular season game at the Saddledome.

While it’s yet to be seen which current Flames will be dressed for the final game at the ‘Dome, we do know who was in the lineup for the first game, a 4-3 loss to the Oilers.

Goaltenders: Reggie Lemelin, backed up by Don Edwards

Defencemen: Steve Konroyd, Paul Baxter, Keith Hanson, Kari Eloranta, Paul Reinhart and Jamie Macoun

Forwards: Mike Eaves, Doug Risebrough, Lanny McDonald, Hakan Loob, Steve Tambellini, Jamie Hislop, Dave Hindmarch, Tim Hunter, Jim Peplinski, Steve Bozek, Eddy Beers and Jeff Brubaker

Scratches: Kent Nilsson (injury), Kari Jalonen (healthy) and Mickey Volcan (healthy)

McDonald scored the first Flames goal in the Saddledome, a power play goal assisted by Eddy Beers and Paul Reinhart. Hindmarch and Risebrough also scored. Lemelin faced 31 shots and made 27 saves in the loss.

By all accounts, primarily from the Calgary Herald, it was a game that lacked flow and had a few minor headaches attributed (in part) to the newness of the building.

The Flames never led during the Saddledome debut. Moreover, there were 18 minutes worth of game delays as the new glass panes at the building kept popping out of their stanchions, requiring several adjustments. Pigeons had roosted in the building during the later stages of construction, in the upper portions of the roof, and were a nuisance for fans during the game. They were reportedly chased out of the building after a couple weeks, but a sparrow entered the building soon after (until it, too, was removed after a few weeks).

The zamboni was borrowed from the Stampede Corral across the street. The media workroom reportedly lacked electrical outlets, and upper-level washrooms didn’t have functional running water yet. Most of the hiccups were solved by the second home game on Oct. 26.

Left as free agents: Jeff Brubaker (1984), Steve Tambellini (1985), Dave Hindmarch (1986), Keith Hanson (1986), Reggie Lemelin (1987), Kari Eloranta (1987), Hakan Loob (1989)

Retired: Jamie Hislop (1984), Mike Eaves (1985), Doug Risebrough (1987), Paul Baxter (1987), Lanny McDonald (1989), Jim Peplinski (1990)

Traded: Don Edwards (1985, to Toronto), Steve Konroyd (1986, to NY Islanders), Eddy Beers (1986, to St. Louis), Steve Bozek (1988, to St. Louis), Paul Reinhart (1988, to Vancouver), Jamie Macoun (1992, to Toronto)

Claimed in expansion draft: Tim Hunter (1992, by Tampa Bay)

Five players that appeared in the first Saddledome game went on to be part of the 1989 Stanley Cup team: Jamie Macoun, Lanny McDonald, Hakan Loob, Tim Hunter and Jim Peplinski. (Doug Risebrough had retired by 1989, but was an assistant coach on the Cup-winning team.)