Top 40 Calgary Flames: #5 Joe Nieuwendyk

This coming May is the 40th anniversary of the Atlanta Flames moving to Calgary. To commemorate this occasion, we’re counting down the Top 40 Calgary Flames in history.

#5 on our list is Joe Nieuwendyk.

Way, way back in 1985, the Flames’ first round pick was Chris Biotti, who signed and played three so-so seasons in the minors. Luckily, their second round selection, Nieuwendyk, was much more productive. A star with Colgate University, he went pro after his junior year and made a big impression in his rookie debut season of 1987-88.

Nieuwendyk was a scary productive goal-scorer. His first two seasons saw him score 51 goals. In each of them. And then he scored, in order, 45 goals, 45 goals, 22…