Calgary, AB – The Calgary Flames announced on Wednesday their intention to honor former defenseman Al MacInnis' service to the organization.
The ceremony will take place prior to a February 27 game against the St. Louis Blues.
"I am truly honoured to receive this recognition as a member of the Flames family and to have my name and number recognized by one of the finest hockey teams I have ever had the pleasure to compete on," said MacInnis. "The Forever A Flame program serves a multitude of purposes but most importantly for me as a former player, it permits a bright young player in the future to wear my number and the tradition that accompanies it."
While MacInnis' number will be honored by the franchise, future Flames players will be allowed to wear it, in a similar fashion to how the Toronto Maple Leafs honor a particular number and players who have worn it throughout club history without retiring it outright.
"We are thrilled to add Al as an honouree in what will be a group of individuals who we consider to be Forever Flames," said Flames president and CEO Ken King.
MacInnis, a native of Nova Scotia, was a first-round pick by Calgary in the 1981 draft, and was finally able to crack the Flames' lineup on a full-time basis during the 1983-84 season.
Over parts of 13 seasons in Calgary, MacInnis set a standard for offensive- minded defenseman, totaling 213 goals and 822 points in 803 regular-season games. He added 102 points in 95 playoff contests, including an NHL-best 31 points during the Flames' 1989 Stanley Cup run which netted him Conn Smythe Trophy honors.
MacInnis played for the Blues from 1994 until the end of his career, early in the 2003-04 season.