Calgary Flames celebrate Mike Vernon before the game against the Leafs

It's always a big night when the Calgary Flames take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Friday night's game brought some extra buzz for Flames fans.

That's because Mike Vernon is being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, prompting all the Flames to wear Vernon's No. 30 jersey during the pregame skate.

Vernon will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday along with Henrik Lundqvist, Tom Barrasso, Caroline Ouellette and Pierre Turgeon. Ken Hitchcock and the late Pierre Lacroix are appointed builders.

Vernon won a Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1989, then tied for second with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and the Conn Smith Trophy as the playoff MVP.

At the time of his retirement, the 60-year-old was seventh in NHL regular-season wins (385), fourth among goalies in playoff games (138) and fifth in playoff wins (77).

“I never dreamed of it or thought about it until I got that call,” Vernon said. “You see the odd article and things like that, but that's just it.

“Just take it.”

At 5'8″, Vernon is one of the shortest goaltenders inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Interestingly, the Flames recalled two-time AHL goaltender of the year and last season's MVP Dustin Wolff, who is considered undersized at six feet. For a goaltender in the NHL in 2023.

With Canadian Press files