What Happened
Blake Coleman returns to Calgary on Thursday night for his first game against the Flames since Minnesota acquired him in the off-season. The veteran forward spent five seasons with Calgary, and in an interview with Sportsnet he described how deeply the city affected his family. His daughters adopted Canadian pronunciation, saying "zed" instead of "zee," and the occasional "kilometres" entered family conversation. Coleman, a Texas native, also bought cowboy boots for the Stampede and spent Christmases in Banff.
Key Details
- Coleman was traded from Calgary to Minnesota during the off-season.
- Thursday marks his first game against the Flames since the trade.
- He spent five seasons with the Flames.
- Coleman bought cowboy boots specifically for the Calgary Stampede.
- His family spent Christmases in Banff and is building a property in Montana.
- Coleman said he still does not know how to convert kilometres.
What It Means
Coleman's return is a personal milestone after five seasons in Calgary, where he became a familiar veteran presence. The trade sent him to a Minnesota team that acquired him in the off-season, though the source does not detail the return. His comments illustrate how a long tenure in a Canadian market can shape a player's family life beyond the rink, and Thursday's game gives him a first chance to face his former club.
What's Next
Coleman and the Wild face the Flames in Calgary on Thursday night. It is his first meeting with his former team since the off-season trade.