MacInnis in bronze

So let me get this straight.

Al MacInnis has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He has his number retired in St. Louis. A statue has now been erected in his honour outside of the Blues’ home rink. And somehow, despite all of these accolades, #2 still isn’t hanging from the rafters at the Saddledome.

The St. Louis Blues, with whom MacInnis played the final nine seasons of his career (plus 3 games in 2003/04), have bestowed numerous recognitions on the all-star defenceman, known for possessing one of the most powerful slap shots in hockey. The first 12 seasons of his career, however, were spent in Calgary. It was in Calgary that Al MacInnis won a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe Trophy. It was in Calgary that he scored more than 70 points in five separate seasons (something he never accomplished in St. Louis). In 1990/91 he scored a whopping 103 points. To put that in perspective, Theo lead the team that year with 104, and he had 18 points more than 45 goal man Joe Nieuwendyk. His 103 points was dwarfed by league leader Wayne Gretzky’s 163, but it was a pretty sharp drop off after that, with Hull at 131, and Oates at 115. I don’t care what era you’re playing in, 103 points for a defenceman is outstanding.

How about some other stats from that season? MacInnis was a +42, second only to Theo and Marty McSorley at +48 (McSorley? Really?). He was on the ice for 185 goals for, second again only to that Gretzky guy at 200. His 75 assists were second only to Gretzky (122!) and Oates (90).

And somehow, despite the most productive seasons of MacInnis’ career taking place in Calgary, #2 isn’t yet hanging from the Saddledome rafters next to #9 and #30. If Al MacInnis is such a hero in St. Louis, how come he isn’t getting his due in Calgary?