More than a decade into his NHL career and now into his mid-30s, this is a first for Joel Hanley.
The veteran defenceman has experienced opening night from a variety of angles — from the press-box, from the minors — but he never before has been in the lineup for Game 1 of a new campaign.
That will change Wednesday as the Calgary Flames lace ’em up for a let’s-get-going Battle of Alberta at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
“It took me 11 years, so that will be cool to get that one,” Hanley said in the lead-up to the season-opener. “You always want to play in that one. It’s tough watching. Obviously, you want to be a great teammate, but you kind of want yourself to be in that position and you want to be out there playing and battling.”
This is also uncharted territory for Flames centre Justin Kirkland.
The 29-year-old never has even been in the big leagues on Night 1.
“We had a little get-together (Sunday) with all the guys and that was my first time being around that long in camp to experience that, too,” Kirkland said before the Flames departed for Edmonton. “It’s special. It’s cool. It’s what I’ve worked my entire life for, so you reflect on the journey to get here and yeah, it means a lot to me.”
These were two of the Flames’ feel-good stories in 2024-25.
Kirkland was recalled after an early injury and made the most of the opportunity, establishing himself as a fixture as a bottom-six forward and an ace in the shootout. He had appeared in 21 games — more than tripling his career count at the NHL level — before tearing his ACL in late November.
Hanley, meanwhile, started last season as a spare part, tapped for only 10 appearances before Christmas. But as the Flames searched for the right mix on the blue line, he emerged as the most reliable partner for workhorse righty MacKenzie Weegar.
It wound up being the best of his 10 NHL campaigns by every measure — games played (53), points (nine), average ice time (18:35). Not long after his 34th birthday and about 90 minutes before hitting unrestricted free agency, Hanley was rewarded with a two-year contract extension in Calgary, where he will continue to work alongside Weegar in a big-minute, high-pressure role.
“Very much the same as Dustin Wolf, he does not change,” praised Flames head coach Ryan Huska during training camp, comparing Hanley’s even-keel demeanour to that of his rising-star goaltender. “We were skating him for two months in a row at the beginning of last year and he was the same every day at the rink. He started to play a ton, he was the same. So he’s very much, I think, a mentally tough guy.
“He understands how he has to play and what’s required of him in order for him to stay in the league and to be an effective player, and he just comes to the rink every day and goes about his business.”
Both Hanley and Kirkland have been in this business long enough to know enough to know they can never take their spot in the lineup for granted.
The goal is to get the nod again for Thursday’s clash with the Canucks in Vancouver and then for Saturday’s home-opening matinee against the St. Louis Blues.
The 2025-26 Flames will be introduced that afternoon to the Saddledome crowd and it’s not quite the same when you’re standing on the home bench in a suit and tie rather than skating through the lights-and-laser display in full gear.
“I don’t have great hair, either,” Hanley quipped. “So it’s better when my helmet is on.”