FLAMES ACQUIRE RIGHTS TO JAY BOUWMEESTER FOR JORDAN LEOPOLD, 3RD ROUND PICK

JUNE 27, 2009 -- Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter announced today the acquisition of defenseman Jay Bouwmeester from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jordan Leopold and the 67th pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft Draft.

"We gave up a good unrestricted player and a third round pick, so I think we gave up a lot," said Sutter.

Bouwmeester, a native of Edmonton, AB, completed his sixth season with the Panthers in 08-09, recording 42 points with 15 goals and 27 assists.

"I'm from Edmonton and I have connections in this neck of the woods. (The Flames) are a great team and a good organization, I'm looking forward to meeting with them," said Bouwmeester.

"There's a lot to think about, I'm sure over the next couple of days we'll get together and see what's up."

The 6’4”, 213lb defenseman has notched 203 points in 471 career NHL games. Bouwmeester was the Florida Panthers 1st round pick (3rd overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Having spent his entire career with the Panthers, his emotions about the team are mixed.

"I have mixed feelings about (the Panthers)," said Bouwmeester. "Anytime you move on it's tough, but at the same time there's a lot of unrest and turnover there. That's just the way it is I guess."

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FLAMES HIRE BRENT SUTTER AS COACH
HOCKEYTALK NEWS

JUNE 23, 2009 -- With one year remaining on his contract, New Jersey Devils coach Brent Sutter received permission from boss Lou Lamoriello to speak with the Calgary Flames and his brother, GM Darryl Sutter, about joining the team as head coach. 

Brent, who cited personal/family reasons for the move (the Sutters are from Viking, Alberta and are one of the most famous hockey families in history), leaves the Devils with an impressive 97-56-11 regular-season record in his first two seasons as an NHL coach.

The 47-year-old Brent joins four siblings who work in various capacities with the Flames, including GM Darryl, director of player personnel Duane, scout Ron, and Darryl's son Brett, who played for the Flames farm team in 2008-09.

"Obviously Lou giving the Flames permission to talk to me, I'm not sure under normal circumstances that would happen," Brent admitted Tuesday to TSN/Canadian Press.

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FLAMES ACQUIRE FORWARD BRANDON PRUST FROM PHOENIX IN EXCHANGE FOR JIM VANDERMEER

Saturday, June 27, 2009 -- Calgary, AB - Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter announced today the acquisition of forward Brandon Prust from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Jim Vandermeer.

Prust, a native of London, ON, was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 3rd round (70th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Prust played 35 games with the Flames over the course of two seasons (2006-08) accumulating over 100 minutes in penalties to go along with one goal and one assist.

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FLAMES SIGN GARTH MURRAY AND RILEY ARMSTRONG

July 2, 2009 -- Calgary, AB – Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter announced today the signing of centre Garth Murray and forward Riley Armstrong.

Murray, a native of Regina, Saskatchewan, has over 100 games of NHL experience split between Phoenix, Florida, Montreal and the New York Rangers. Murray was originally drafted by the Rangers in the 3rd round (79th overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

FLAMES FIRE KEENAN

MAY 22, 2009 -- Calgary, AB - Calgary, AB - Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter announced today that Mike Keenan has been relieved of his coaching duties with the team.

“Our team did not meet expectations,” said Sutter. “Following detailed evaluation over the past three weeks, and taking into consideration all factors affecting our season ending result, we believe this is a necessary change required to allow our team to continue toward our objective of winning the Stanley Cup.”

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