Flames Name Brad Treliving General Manager

On Monday, April 28, the Calgary Flames announced the naming of a new general manager–Brad Treliving.

“I’m pleased to announce Brad as our general manager,” said Flames President of Hockey Operations, Brian Burke. “He has been identified as the top young guy in the business and it’s evident that he has prepared carefully for this day, acquiring extensive front office experience in all areas.”

From December 12, 2013 until Monday, Brian Burke had served in dual roles with the team, acting as interim General Manager after the relieving of Jay Feaster from his duties in December. Feaster’s tenure hadn’t lasted long, as he had been appointed when Darryl Sutter stepped down in 2010, and it was hoped that Feaster would be able to do for the Flames what he had done with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who won the Stanley Cup under his guidance in 2004. Feaster was certainly given a chance, serving for just shy of three years before he was let go.

Treliving is coming from the Phoenix Coyotes where he just finished his seventh season as Vice President of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager. In his role with the Coyotes, he worked closely with GM Don Maloney. He also served as General Manager for Phoenix’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Portland Pirates.

Before coming to the NHL in his capacities with the Coyotes, Treliving spent a number of years in management for other hockey leagues. He was President of the Central Hockey League (CHL) where, under his guidance, the league saw the inclusion of a number of expansion franchises—many of them successful. In 1996 he co-founded the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) where he served as Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the league for five years. He played a pivotal role in May 2001 in the WPHL and CHL merger, and he would then serve as President of that league.

Brad Treliving

Undoubtedly he will be expected to help make the Flames a contender in the NHL. It will be interesting to see what changes take place during the offseason. Treliving will report directly to Burke. His responsibilities will affect all aspects of the team—including players and staff—and he will manage both the amateur and pro scouting personnel, as well as having responsibility for any player personnel assignments to the Flames’ minor league affiliates.

“I’m excited to be in Calgary. To work in the hockey business in a Canadian city is truly an honor,” said Treliving, a Penticton, B.C. native. “I’m proud to be a western Canada guy so it’s especially exciting and a homecoming for me. I look forward to getting started and working with Brian and the entire staff.”

The Calgary Flames are in rebuild and it will be interesting to see what changes they make in the coming couple of years. With a new general manager, is it possible that other front office replacements will be coming in addition to player changes? After all, in the 130 games that Bob Hartley has coached he is 54-65-11 for a .458 win percentage. This is the first time since the 2001-03 seasons, under Greg Gilbert, that the team has dipped below that .500 mark in wins.