Article content Flames legend Theo Fleury (on X.com) “Sad to hear of the passing of Cliff Fletcher. He was one of the greatest leaders I ever played for. Lead Calgary’s one and only Stanley Cup winner with integrity and class. Amazing guy to talk to and was always honest in those discussions. You will be missed.” Flames’ Stanley Cup champion Jim Peplinski “Cliff was likely the best dealmaker in the nhl and, perhaps, the best any sports league has ever seen. He was particularly successful
in Calgary because he had (assistant GM) Al MacNeil, who was a wonderful judge of character. With Cliff’s skill in acquiring and drafting these types of players, we had great teams. “I’m biased because Cliff gave me my chance to have a great career in the NHL. He was a class act with a kind heart. He had a great life, involved in the game he loved until his last day. Pretty cool. “RIP, Cliff.” Flames’ Stanley Cup champion Colin Patterson “The organization and the
city of Calgary lost a great man. And I don’t think people truly understand what he meant to the city and what he meant to the Flames organization.” “For me, personally, he gave me a chance to play in the NHL as a college free agent. The Flames sort of cracked into college free agency before anybody else did. They had Eddie Beers, Jamie Macoun, Charlie Bourgeois, myself, Neil Sheehy, Joel Otto and Gino Cavallini.
Cliff Fletcher, Calgary Flames, Theo Fleury, Jim Peplinski, Colin Patterson, Al MacNeil, Stanley Cup
RIP Cliff Fletcher. Calgary always had the best hockey people.
I only heard his name from random Flames talk so I guess he really was important. “Best dealmaker” sounds like he just like… traded everyone into greatness lol. Sorry for Calgary’s loss.
Wait Al MacNeil was the one making the calls though? Like Cliff Fletcher gets credit but it says Al was the judge of character. Idk how that works. Either way Theo Fleury saying it is legit, so RIP.
Sad. I don’t even watch hockey like that but the part about being involved until his last day is wild. Also they keep saying Stanley Cup winner, but I always mix up who actually played vs who ran the team. Still, Calgary losing someone like that feels big.