Happy Lanny-versary!

[drewtastic]

(If this has been posted elsewhere, please delete, but I looked for it and didn’t see it…may be my old-man technopeasantry…)

My folks moved to YYC from YWG in 1976 (I was born a couple of years later). My Dad grew up a Leafs fan, admiring his heroes George Armstrong and (especially) Dave Keon.

By the ‘70s, Harold Ballard’s Leafs angered fans like my Dad, especially via his public spats with players like Keon and, later, GM Punch Imlach’s feud with Darryl Sittler. My Dad’s final straw came when Imlach traded Lanny to the Colorado Rockies, just to spite Sittler. That was 1979.

In 1980, my Dad’s adopted city gained an NHL team. He said that he had a passing interest, given that he lived in the city. In 1981, Lanny arrived.

This trade made it official: Dad became a Flames fan.

I was three years old at that time. But as I got a bit older, I became aware of the team. Early on, I became infatuated with the likes of Paul Reinhart, Carey Wilson, John Tonelli, Nick Fotiu, Hakan Loob, Joel Otto (my fave), and yes, Lanny.

I am happy today to celebrate our “Lannyversary”, because, had it not happened, I may have been raised a Leaf fan.

Thank God for small miracles!

Happy Lannyversary!!

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/happ...KfmCCcSzcciGbY

[Eric Vail]

My buddies and I were pretty choked when this trade happened. Bobby MacMillan lived in our neighbourhood and was the nicest, friendliest guy when we stopped by for autographs. We were so sad to see him go.

Of course, the trade worked out to be a great one for Trader Cliff, but that day we were sad to lose Bobby.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Lanny was (and still is) a beaut.

[Jetfire]

I've only met him briefly once, he let me snag a photo with him as he was making his way across the Dome on Iggy jersey retirement night. He'd had such a busy day already but was still giving time to any fans he could. All class.

[drewtastic]

Stays quiet!!

https://youtu.be/NY4j3v-9xU0

[Dion]

I met Lanny at a charity softball game at Seaman Stadium a few years back. He stayed long after everyone was gone to sign autographs and pose for pictures. He loved the fans.

[Coach]

I’ve known Lanny most of my life. Grew up with his son(s) and was even lucky enough to have him as a coach. When he tagged us to go out on the ice the whole bench would shout “..and tell em Lanny sent ya!!”

Guy is a legend in every way.

[Hanna Sniper]

Lanny McDonald became my favourite player as a child, watching him play in CHCH TV with Peter Maher making the call. I was heart broken the day he was traded to the Colorado Rockies

I was a kid without a team to cheer for, couldn’t cheer for the leafs, couldn’t cheer for the Canadiens and couldn’t cheer for whiner Gretzky. I had the Canuck’s, Flames and Jets to pick from. My older brother was already a Flames fan because of Kent Nilsson. Dale Hawerchuk was a rookie for the Jets…. If not for Lanny being traded to the Flames my childhood and hockey memories would have been drastically different

As it turned out both Lanny and Peter were part of my earlier memories and also those of ‘86 and ‘89 runs and the myfoundation

[Reggie Dunlop]

OP needs to add the Lanny icon to the thread!

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

OP needs to add the Lanny icon to the thread!

Done!

[Puppet Guy]

I was happy as Hell when the Flames arrived in '81, but when Lanny was acquired it felt like we were REALLY in the NHL!

[Yrebmi]

Cool story bro... but not sarcastic. Thanks for sharing that.

[Cheese]

Jeez Dion, you could have worn a clean Jersey, that one has ink all over it!

Originally Posted by Dion

I met Lanny at a charity softball game at Seaman Stadium a few years back. He stayed long after everyone was gone to sign autographs and pose for pictures. He loved the fans.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Coach

I’ve known Lanny most of my life. Grew up with his son(s) and was even lucky enough to have him as a coach. When he tagged us to go out on the ice the whole bench would shout “..and tell em Lanny sent ya!!”

Guy is a legend in every way.

Ha. We must be the same age. I played multiple seasons vs Lannys teams because he coached his sons who were my age.

Properties Sports Association says hello.

[Bingo]

I want Lanny's baseball jersey!

The McDonald trade was such an exciting day. Kid just getting used to having NHL hockey in his city and boom McDonald is a Flames.

Right up there with the Mullen trade for me.

[McG]

I got to chat with Lanny during a hall of fame weekend in the early 2000s. As we had chatted outside prior to the formal Q & A, when Ron Maclean asked at the end of the round table if there were any questions, lanny pointed to me. Up to that point, it was the usual “we miss you in Toronto “. I asked if he could talk about the Battle of Alberta. His answer was thoughtful, insightful, and passionate about the whole thing.

This wasn’t lanny’s induction btw but he was there.

Anyways, can someone please ask will nault to ask lanny if he grew up dreaming about playing for the Flames?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I want Lanny's baseball jersey!

The McDonald trade was such an exciting day. Kid just getting used to having NHL hockey in his city and boom McDonald is a Flames.

Right up there with the Mullen trade for me.

How about Patterson and Berezan