15 seasons, 949 games, and exactly 21,503 minutes after he made his NHL debut with the Flames, Mark Giordano’s time in Calgary has officially come to an end. The Toronto native has packed his bags and is headed westbound to his new home in Seattle, the location of the NHL’s 32nd franchise. Giordano was an integral selection by the Seattle Kraken in their expansion draft as they built their roster ahead of the 2021-22 NHL season. Much like what he did in Calgary, Giordano is expected to bring an invaluable amount of leadership and experience to this fresh and unfamiliar Kraken roster. To rub further salt in the wounds of the already grieving Flames fanbase, Kraken management brought Giordano up on stage wearing their Deep-Sea Blue uniform instead of his former, but usual, red and gold jersey.
This selection by the Kraken is rather bittersweet for the Flames organization. On one hand, the Flames organization lost their captain, an irreplaceable icon, mentor, and leader in both their dressing room and in their community. However, the Flames did manage to shed a $6.75 million contract in the form of a diminishing 38-year-old defenseman. From that additional $6.75 million in cap space, the Flames were able to acquire the rights of Nikita Zadorov and sign free-agent, Blake Coleman.
Considering Giordano began his career on the ground floor and undrafted, he has built himself quite the impressive portfolio over the years. In his 949 games with the Flames he has produced 143 goals and 366 assists for 509 points. “Gio” has also acquired some elite level hardware as well, winning the NHL Foundation Player Award (2015-16), ESPN’s Muhammed Ali Sports Humanitarian Award (2017), Mark Messier Leadership Award (2019-20), and of course his Norris Trophy (2018-19) at 35-years-young. Giordano was the only defensemen in Flames history to have won a Norris Trophy and was just one of four who won it at 35 years of age or older.
Mark Giordano poses with his Norris Trophy at the 2019 NHL Awards.
(John Locher / Associated Press)
Off the ice, Giordano’s legacy has cemented itself across the city of Calgary through his generosity, hospitality, and leadership. Over the years, Giordano has become an active member in local organizations, such as the Flames literacy program and the You Can Play Project, to support and assist families and youth across the city. In 2014, Giordano and his wife Lauren launched their own project, Team Giordano. The goal of Team Giordano was to support low-income schools in Calgary by providing them with essential materials to aid teachers and help in their student’s studies. As of September 2020, Team Giordano has donated over $400,000 to deserving schools and students across Calgary. Even on a day-to-day basis, Mark Giordano radiates kindness. During the peak COVID-19 lockdown, it was reported that Giordano had requested to pay the grocery bills for Calgarians who were struggling financially due to effects caused by the pandemic.
While Giordano’s departure will certainly sting and resonate with Flames fans for quite some time, the move to leave him unprotected was the most logical. If Flames management decided to protect Giordano, then a more valuable asset, most likely Mikael Backlund, would have been exposed instead. In the days leading up to the draft Giordano’s leadership and loyalty remained rigid as it was rumored that he told Flames GM, Brad Treliving, “I’m 38, you’ve got to play it smart here.”
Mark Giordano’s return to Calgary has already been set in stone. On December 23rd, 2021, Giordano and the Seattle Kraken are visitors, for the very first time, in the ‘Dome. Get your “dome foams” and tissue boxes ready, C of Red. Gio is coming home.
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