Today in 1980, Flames acquire draft pick used to select Mike Vernon

One of the best Flames ever was Mike Vernon.

And today, in 1980, the then Atlanta Flames made a trade that would forever shape the franchise.

Atlanta traded goaltender Jim Craig to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a second-round pick in 1980 and a third-round pick in 1981.

Calgary selected Steve Konroyd with the second-round pick, who in his own right had a solid six-season career with the Flames, the selection of Mike Vernon with the 1981 third-round pick was the home run.

Vernon posted four 30-win seasons over his 13-year career with the Calgary Flames as he backstopped them to their only Stanley Cup championship won in 1989-90. He was a gamer who showed up in the big minutes and a Calgary…