“I was wondering why I was getting a call from Lou Lamoriello, saying, ‘Oh, no, what’s going on?’” Tonelli said.
The team also announced that current captain Anders Lee, with Tonelli’s blessing, will be able to continue wearing No. 27 for the rest of his career with the Islanders.
“John was phenomenal with it,” Lee said. “I was extremely thankful and grateful for him giving me the blessing. It’s a huge honor for me to wear his number. He’s the real two-seven. I’ll just try to carry on what he did before.”
Tonelli believes 27 is now “our number.”
“I would welcome and cherish and be proud if he continues to wear No. 27,” Tonelli said. “I borrowed it. I wore it. You couldn’t have a better person than Anders wearing it now. We’re on the same page. It’s our number. We’re in it together.”
Although Tonelli wasn't with the Flames for very long, he certainly was a fan favourite in his brief tenure here in Calgary. Congrats to John!
https://www.newsday.com/sports/hocke...ers-1.39625235