The Calgary Flames made a staffing announcement during Monday afternoon’s news fire hose, announcing the addition of Brent Seabrook to their player development staff.

Yes, that Brent Seabrook.

Hailing from scenic British Columbia, Seabrook turned 40 back in April and has just recently ended his playing career. Okay, he last played a professional game back in 2019-20 and was on the shelf due to injury, but he spent four years on the injured list before his contract finally expired (after three seasons “with” Tampa Bay) after the 2023-24 season.

Odd contractual situation aside, Seabrook had one heck of a pro career as a blueliner.

A product of the Western Hockey League’s Lethbridge Hurricanes, he was a 2003 first-round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks. He played 1,114 NHL games and won three Stanley Cups. In addition to his club accolades, he suited up for Canada six times in major international events, capturing gold (Olympics, World Juniors, Under-18 Worlds) and silver (World Juniors, Under-17 Worlds). He won both Olympic gold and a Stanley Cup in 2010, which is pretty cool.

Seabrook’s brother, Keith, spent two years in the Flames farm system from 2009-11.

Seabrook joins a Flames player development apparatus that has been adding some really interesting expertise over the past few years. Headed by director of player development Ray Edwards, the group features Martin Gelinas, Danielle Fujita, Rebecca Johnston, Darren Rommerdahl, Michael Stone, Seabrook and Zach McClean. Gelinas, Stone and Seabrook all had lengthy NHL careers, with Gelinas and Seabrook combining for many long playoff runs (and four Stanley Cups). Johnston had a fantastic career in women’s hockey and won three Olympic gold medals. Fujita, Rommerdahl and McClean bring expertise in skating, skills development, and strength and conditioning, respectively.

Scouting and drafting is really important when you’re trying to build a good hockey team. But a lot of work goes into the process between a player being drafted and them reaching the NHL, and the Flames have added many resources – including moving their American Hockey League team to town – in order to help streamline and optimize that process.

Seabrook is another added piece in that puzzle.