Hours after a trade to the Calgary Flames, the team announced that defenseman Simon Nemec will become the second player to ever wear sweater No. 71. During his previous stint with the New Jersey Devils, the former second overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft wore No. 17 for the past three seasons.

No one has worn No. 71 on the Flames besides Walker Duehr, who played 84 games between 2021 and 2025 before a trade to the San Jose Sharks. 

Moreover, Nemec will be the second player in the 2026-27 lineup to wear a sweater number in the 70s, joining Martin Pospisil, who currently wears No. 76.

Historically, only nine players in Flames history have ever worn a number in the 70s, including Louie Domingue and Ryan Lomberg (No. 70), Duehr (71), Tyler Toffoli (73), Pospisil (76), Mark Jankowski (77), Brennan Othmann (78), along with Michael Ferland and Cole Schwindt (79). 

As of 2026, the only numbers left in the 70s to never be worn in an NHL game by a Calgary player are Nos. 72, 74, and 75.

Regarding higher sweater numbers, Nos. 80, 81, 82, 86, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, and 98 have appeared on a lineup card at some point in Flames history.

On Tuesday afternoon, Calgary acquired the 21-year-old defender, along with Maxim Tsypalkov, in exchange for a late first-round pick in 2027, a first-round pick in 2028, a second-round pick in 2026, and Etienne Morin. In 155 games, Nemec has 16 goals and 49 points with a minus-28 rating over his first three seasons. Meanwhile, Tsypalkov has 12 goals and 39 points in 126 games with a minus-13 rating between stints with the New York Islanders and Devils.