Flames All-Time Countdown Chapter CIII: 72-70

72. Mike Bullard

Bullard, born on March 10th, 1961, was a 5’10”, 185 lb. forward from Ottawa, Ontario. He spent two seasons playing for the OHA’s Brantford Alexanders, including putting up 66 goals and 150 points in his draft year, before being selected ninth overall in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bullard returned to Brantford, but after 107 points in 42 games, joined the Penguins. He spent seven seasons with Pittsburgh, scoring 185 goals and 360 points over 382 games.

On November 12, 1986, Bullard was traded to the Flames in exchange for Dan Quinn. Bullard played 57 games for the Flames that season, scoring 28 goals on 138 shots for a 20.3 shooting percentage. Twenty-six assists brought his point total up to 54, and 34 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating rounded out his stat line. The Flames finished with a 46-31-3 record that season, but lost 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs to the Winnipeg Jets. Bullard played all six games, scoring four goals, two assists, and recording two penalty minutes.

In 1987-88, Bullard played 79 games for the Flames, scoring 48 goals on 230 shots – a 20.9 shooting percentage – and 55 assists for 103 points, a career-best. He also amassed 68 penalty minutes and finished a plus-25, while the Flames finished with a 48-23-9 record. The Flames played nine playoff games this time, but fell in a sweep to the Edmonton Oilers in the second round. Bullard played in just six of those games, and only managed two assists and six penalty minutes.

Just before the 1988-89 season, Bullard, along with Craig Coxe and Tim Corkery, was traded to the St. Louis Blues for Doug Gilmour, Mark Hunter, Steve Bozek, and Mike Dark. Bullard only played four more seasons in the NHL, splitting time between the Blues, Flyers, and Leafs. Following his NHL career he played 10 years in Germany, ultimately retiring after the 2002-03 season.

All-Time Statline: 136 games, 76 goals, 81 assists, plus-35 rating, 102 penalty minutes, 14.36 point shares.

71. Kari Eloranta

Eloranta, a 6'2", 192 lb. defenseman, was born on February 29th, 1956 (so now he's 14). A native of Lahti, Finland, he first came to notice in the Finnish league in 1976-77, with Keikkoreipas Lahti. He spent two seasons there, amassing 22 points over 72 games, before joining the Swedish elite league. There, Eloranta spent three seasons with Leksands IF, 42 points over 105 games.

In 1981-82, Eloranta came to North America, signing with the Flames. He first played 39 games for the CHL’s Oklahoma City Stars, scoring three goals and 30 points in 39 games, before he joined the Flames in the NHL. He played 19 games for the Flames, scoring five assists and putting up 14 penalty minutes and a minus-14 rating before being traded to the Blues for future considerations. Eloranta finished the season with the Blues, scoring his first NHL goal, as well as seven assists, in 12 games.

About three months after Eloranta was traded to the Blues, St. Louis traded him back to Calgary for cash. Eloranta spent the entire 1982-83 season with the Flames, scoring four goals on 68 shots, and 40 assists for a career-high 44 points over 80 games. He also recorded 43 penalty minutes and finished with a plus-13 rating. The Flames had a 32-34-14 record that season. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-1 in the first round, but fell 4-1 to the Edmonton Oilers in the second round. Eloranta played all nine games, scoring a goal, an assist, and recording 17 penalty minutes.

In 1983-84, Eloranta played 78 games for the Flames. He scored five goals on 59 shots, and 34 assists gave him 39 points on the season. He also recorded 44 penalty minutes and finished with a plus-12 rating. He helped the Flames finish with a 34-32-14 record, and once again, they beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-1 in the first round, and fell to the Oilers, 4-3, in the second round. Eloranta only played six games this time, scoring just two assists and recording just two penalty minutes.

The 1984-85 season saw Eloranta score two goals on 43 shots and put up 13 total points. He also amassed 39 penalty minutes and finished with a plus-1 over 65 games. The Flames finished the season with a 41-27-12 record, losing 3-1 in the first round of the playoffs to the Winnipeg Jets. Eloranta did not play any playoff games.

Eloranta spent the 1985-86 season back in Sweden,playing for HV71 Jonkoping. He split the 1986-87 season between Jonkoping and the Flames, returning to Calgary for 13 games. He scored one goal on 11 shots and recorded six assists for seven points, as well as recording nine penalty minutes and finishing a plus-3. The Flames played six playoff games that season, falling 4-2 to the Winnipeg Jets. Eloranta finished his NHL career in that series, playing all six games and recording two assists.

The Finn returned to Europe to finish his hockey career, bouncing between Switzerland, Sweden, and Finland. He retired after the 1995-96 season, finishing his career for Reipas Lahti in his native Finland.

All-Time Statline: 225 games, 12 goals, 96 assists, plus-15 rating, 149 penalty minutes, 15.16 point shares.

70. Don Edwards

Edwards a 5’9″, 165 lb. goaltender, was born in Hamilton, Ontario on September 28th, 1955. He played two seasons for the Kitchener Rangers before being drafted in the fifth round, 89th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1975 NHL Draft (he also drafted in the 10th round, 135th overall, by the San Diego Mariners in the WHA Draft). Edwards spent two seasons for the AHL’s Hershey Bears before joining the Sabres full time at the end of the 1976-77 season. He played six seasons for Buffalo, averaging a 2.90 goals against average over that time.

Following the 1981-82 season, Edwards, along with Richie Dunn and a first and second round pick, was traded to the Flames for a first and second rounder. The following season, Edwards played 39 games for the Flames, making 1,107 saves on 1,255 shots for a .882 save percentage and 4.02 goals against average, and recorded one assist. He had a 16-15-6 record, contributing to the Flames' overall 32-34-14. He played in five of the Flames' nine playoff games that post-season, winning one and losing two.

In 1983-84, Edwards played 41 games for the Flames. He made 1060 saves on 1,217 shots, resulting in a .871 save percentage and 4.09 goals against average. He also scored two assists. Edwards had a 13-19-5 record that season, a part of the Flames' overall 34-32-14 record. He played in six of the Flames' 11 playoff games that season, recording a .910 save percentage and resulting in a 2-1 record before the Flames lost in the second round.

The 1984-85 season was Edwards' final with the Flames. He made 743 saves on 858 shots over 34 games, resulting in a .866 save percentage and 4.08 goals against average. The season, the Flames had a 41-27-12 record, of which 11-15-2 Edwards personally contributed. While the Flames played in four playoff games that season, Edwards did not dress for any.

Following the 84-85 season, the Flames traded Edwards to Toronto for a fourth round pick. Edwards played 38 games for Toronto in his final NHL season in 1985-86. He retired two seasons later.

All-Time Statline: 114 games, 40-49-13, two shutouts, 4.06 goals against average, 15.17 point shares.

by Kevin Kraczkowski