Former Flames captain Mark Giordano returns to Calgary as the opposition

He was a mainstay on the blue line for the Calgary Flames for years. And tonight, he returns to his former city while wearing the opposition colors. 

Former captain Mark Giordano was selected by the NHL's newest franchise in the Seattle Kraken during this summer's expansion draft, instantly becoming one of the leaders on the team. And he'll be carrying his 949 games of experiences (3rd most in Flames franchise history) with him as he faces his former teammates tonight, albeit in exhibition play. 

“I think there was some shock there for the first few days,” he acknowledged of his new professional surroundings. “And then I got home after I went out to Seattle for the expansion draft, and a few days later you start planning to get to the city and then the excitement came.

“I know I’ve played a long time but it’s a new start for me, too. It’s a fresh start. It’s a new set of eyes watching you every night. So just looking forward to having a good year, playing well and going from there.”

Of course, the veteran blue liner still has fond memories of playing in front of the C of Red, and wants Flames fans to remember him for his work ethic. 

“The thing that I would want them to remember me as is I think, whether playing well or playing poorly, I gave it my all every shift and every night, and I’ll continue to do that,” he replied. “That’s one thing I hope they remember me as. I have so many memories of the city and good times on and off the ice. It’s a special place, obviously, for my family and I, and a lot of great people that I’ve developed relationships with.”

Giordano was the recipient of the 2019 James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top defenseman. Of the 14 years he spent with the Flames, he wore the captain's C for eight of them. He's also on track to reach the historic 1,000-game mark in the NHL in early 2022.

“I’m actually glad to get one under my belt here early in my time in Seattle,” Giordano said. “And then the one in December will be special, but it’s going to be a big game. It’s going to be a divisional game.

“It’ll be different, but looking forward to playing the boys over there,” he added. “I just saw a few guys, snuck out into the tunnel for a bit. I saw Chucky, saw Johnny, saw Looch, just a quick hello to Marky (Jacob Markstrom) and guys like that. I’m sure I’ll hear a lot of chirps tonight, and it looks like they’re dressing a pretty good lineup so it’ll be a good game to get into.”