Who Wore It Best? No.23 in Flames History

So, Justin Kirkland is wearing number 23 for the Flames this season. Cue the head tilts and “Wait… really?” reactions from fans everywhere. Nothing against Kirkland, the guy’s got a slick little shootout move (seriously, it works like 75% of the time) and he’s looking to bounce back after an injury-plagued year. That being said, number 23 isn’t just any number in Calgary.

It carries some weight.

The first name that pops to mind for most? Sean Monahan.

For nine seasons, Monny was Mr. Reliable, 20 goals a year,  a clutch shot on the power play, and the kind of calm presence you just trusted with the puck. By the time he got dealt to the Montreal Canadiens in 2022, he’d stacked up 462 points in 656 games (212 goals, 250 assists). Not bad for a guy who rarely made noise off the ice but quietly built himself into a Flames favourite.

However, if you’re talking about number 23 and you don’t bring up Martin Gélinas… you’re missing the whole story.

Gélinas only wore it for two seasons in Calgary, but in those two years, he gave Flames fans memories that still give chills. Three overtime series-clinchers in the 2004 playoffs. Three. Nobody else in the NHL has ever done that. That Cup run might not have ended the way Calgary wanted … (it was in!) … but “The Eliminator” made sure it was unforgettable. 

Now, we should give a quick hat tip to Paul Reinhart (a smooth-skating blueliner who wore 23 throughout the ’80s) and Sheldon Kennedy, who also laced it up with the number. Both deserve nods, but let’s be real: when you hear “23” in Calgary, the debate really comes down to two guys, Monahan and Gélinas.

So, who wore it best?

If you love consistency and a steady scorer, it’s Monahan. If you live for big moments, the clutch goals, and the goosebumps, then it’s Gélinas all the way.

Either way, by choosing 23, Kirkland just stepped into some big shoes, or skates, in this case. 

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