The hockey world is mourning the loss of a true icon. Glenn Hall, the legendary goaltender known as 'Mr. Goalie,' passed away this week at the age of 94. While celebrated for a storied playing career that earned him a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame, Hall also left an indelible mark on the Calgary Flames organization as a pioneering goalie coach and consultant.
A Calming Presence in Calgary
For the goalies of the Calgary Flames, a visit from Glenn Hall was a double-edged sword. His presence at the Saddledome was always welcome, but it often signaled that management wanted a closer look at their netminding.
"I knew when the management maybe wasn't too happy with my play or something like that, because Glenn would jump in his truck and drive down to Calgary," recalled Flames great Mike Vernon. The sight of Hall meant it was time to get back on track, with the legend offering his expert eye and steadying influence.
Pioneering the Goalie Coach Role
Long before NHL teams employed dedicated goaltending coaches, Flames general manager Cliff Fletcher had the foresight to hire Hall as a consultant. Their professional relationship began in St. Louis, where Fletcher was an assistant GM and Hall tended goal for the Blues.
Hall would make regular trips from his farm in Stony Plain, Alberta, to Calgary to tutor the team's goalies. His impact was profound, especially during the playoffs. Former Flames goalie Rick Wamsley compared Hall's presence to that of a grandfather—a warm, secure, and reassuring figure.
"It was really the evolution of goalie coaches," Wamsley said. "Up until then, the goalies had nobody to talk to. It's such a unique position and teams were just starting to realize, 'Hey, maybe we should have somebody around to talk to these guys.'"
A Lasting Championship Legacy
Glenn Hall's fingerprints are on one of the most cherished moments in Flames history. He won two Stanley Cups as a player and secured his third championship ring as part of the Flames staff in 1989. That year, with Mike Vernon starring in net and Rick Wamsley as the backup, Calgary captured its first and only Stanley Cup.
By then, Hall's title had been officially upgraded to 'goalie coach,' and he earned his place in the team's championship photo. Vernon, who was a Conn Smythe Trophy contender that playoff year, later paid tribute to Hall during his own Hockey Hall of Fame induction speech.
The hockey world will remember Glenn Hall for his incredible on-ice feats, including an ironman streak of 502 consecutive regular-season games and his pioneering use of the butterfly style. In Calgary, however, he will be equally remembered as a humble, knowledgeable, and instrumental figure who helped guide a franchise to its greatest glory.
