Building Blocks III

Each week, I will present a historical/statistical analysis of how the Calgary Flames team of 2009-10 was built.

In this week’s historical analysis of the team, we’ll look back at that 2004 draft and trace the careers of the ten young men who were called to the podium and presented with an opportunity to wear the flaming “C” on their chests.

In the spring of 2004, the Calgary Flames surprised the skeptics, shocked the cynics and soothed the Stampede City by advancing to within a single goal of winning the second Stanley Cup championship in club history.

Within days of losing game seven of the finals to Tampa Bay, general manager Darryl Sutter and the front office brass of the club reconvened to prepare a five-year plan for the future of the franchise, a blueprint that began with the annual NHL Entry Draft.

In the 2004 draft lottery, Calgary was slated to select 19th, 53rd, 85th, 118th, 152nd, 182nd, 213th, 247th and 279th. With the impending labor dispute influencing the proceedings, the 2004 Draft was one of the most complicated procedures in league history.

Round 1: Kris Chucko (24th overall)
Chucko, who saw his first NHL action as a Flame in the 2008-09 season (2-0-0-0-2), remains in the Flames organization as a member of the Abbotsford Heat. He was re-signed by the Flames on July 23, 2009.
Notes: Calgary traded their 1st and 8th round selections to the NY Rangers for the Toronto Maple Leafs 1st round pick (24th overall) – acquired by New York in the Brian Leetch trade – and the NY Rangers 2nd round pick (46th overall).

Round 2: No selection
Notes: Calgary traded their 2nd round selection to the Florida Panthers for Marcus Nilson.
Calgary traded the NY Rangers’ 2nd round selection to Columbus for Columbus’ 3rd round choice (70th overall) and Tampa Bay’s 3rd round choice (98th overall) – acquired by Columbus in the Darryl Sydor trade.

Round 3: Brandon Prust (70th) and Dustin Boyd (98th)
Prust and Boyd remain important parts of the Flames organization. Prust (55-2-5-7-158) contributes a physical presence while Boyd (142-22-22-44-20) adds creative playmaking and opportunistic scoring.
Notes: Calgary obtained Columbus’ and Tampa Bay’s 3rd round selections (see above)
Calgary traded their own 3rd round selection to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Andrew Ference.

Round 4: Aki Seitsonen (118th) and Kristopher Hogg (121st)
A native of Finland and a product of the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders, Seitsonen was released by the Flames organization following the 2008-09 season. He currently plays for HPK Hameenlinna of the Finnish Elite League.

Hogg played his junior career with Lethbridge and Kamloops before attending Lakehead University. He currently plays with the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
Notes: Calgary obtained New Jersey’s fourth round selection (121st overall) for New Jersey’s signing of Krzysztof Oliwa.

Round 5: No selection
Notes: Calgary traded their 5th round selection to the San Jose Sharks for Lynn Loyns.

Round 6: Adam Pardy (173rd) and Fred Wikner (182nd)
Adam Pardy established himself as top-six defenseman in 2008-09 after four full seasons in the minor leagues.

Wikner spent the 2005-06 season with the Prince George Cougars before returning to Sweden. He currently plays for Kallered SK, a division II club in Sweden.
Notes: Calgary obtained Atlanta’s sixth round selection (173rd overall) and the rights to Ruslan Zainullin for Marc Savard.

Round 7: Matt Schneider (200th) and James Spratt (213th)
Schneider spent three full seasons with the Tri-City Americans before attending the University of British Columbia. He currently plays for the UBC Thunderbirds.

Spratt spent four seasons with Bowling Green University and was signed as a free agent by ECHL’s Johnstown Chiefs in September, 2009 but was released when the club made their final roster cuts.
Notes: Calgary obtained the NY Rangers 7th round selection (200th overall) and Chris Simon for Jamie McLennan, Blair Betts and Greg Moore.

Round 8: No selection
Notes: Calgary traded their 1st and 8th round selections to the NY Rangers for the Toronto Maple Leafs 1st round pick (24th overall) – acquired by New York in the Brian Leetch trade – and the NY Rangers 2nd round pick (46th overall).

Round 9: Adam Cracknell (279th)
Cracknell spent four seasons in the Flames organization and was signed as a free agent by the St. Louis Blues on July 23, 2009. He is currently playing with the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen.

2004 Entry Draft
Players selected: 10
Players currently with team: 3
Players currently in minor league system: 1