Jim Peplinski

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Lore & Background

Peplinski played junior hockey for the Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League (OMJHL) between 1977 and 1980. He scored 101 points in 67 games in his final season of junior. The Atlanta Flames selected him with their fourth round selection, 75th overall, at the 1979 NHL entry draft. Following the franchise's relocation to Canada, he made his NHL debut in 1980 and was an original member of the Calgary Flames, scoring 38 points in his rookie season. Playing his 100th NHL game on November 17, 1981, Peplinski scored four goals against the Winnipeg Jets as part of a career high 30-goal, 67-point season in the 1981–82 season. One of Peplinski's strengths was his durability. He missed only 24 games during his career, appearing in all 80 of the Flames' games in 1980–81, 1982–83, 1984–85 and 1986–87. He was named a tri-captain of the team, shared with Lanny McDonald and Doug Risebrough, in the 1984–85 season. For the 1988 Winter Olympics, the International Ice Hockey Federation opened the hockey tournament to all professionals. While the NHL refused to allow most of its players to participate, the Flames released Peplinski to the Canadian Olympic team. He appeared in seven games, scoring one assist for the fourth place Canadians. In the Flames' Stanley Cup championship season of 1988–89, Peplinski scored 38 points in 79 games, and appeared in 20 more games in the 1989 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Prior to the sixth game of the final against the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Terry Crisp wanted to insert McDonald, who was expected to retire following the season (which he did on August 28, 1989), into the lineup for the possible clinching game. As a result, Peplinski was scratched from the line-up and watched as the team won the championship. He came onto the ice to accept the trophy with McDonald and alternate captain Tim Hunter. Six games into the 1989–90 NHL season, Peplinski chose to retire on October 31, 1989. He left the game as the Flames' all-time leader in games played at 705. He moved to the broadcast booth, joining Hockey Night in Canada as a color commentator before attempting an NHL comeback in 1994–95. Jim was signed as a free agent by the Flames on April 6, 1995. His comeback lasted six more games before he left the game for good. Peplinski settled in Calgary after his retirement and remains active with the team's alumni association.

In Their Own Story

The 1989 Stanley Cup Final was a moment of both triumph and personal sacrifice for Jim Peplinski. As the Flames prepared for Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Terry Crisp made a difficult decision: he wanted to insert Lanny McDonald, who was expected to retire after the season, into the lineup for the potential clinching game. That meant Peplinski was scratched. He watched from the bench as his teammates won the championship, but when the final horn sounded, he came onto the ice to accept the trophy alongside McDonald and alternate captain Tim Hunter. It was a moment that defined his character—a team-first player who put the collective goal above personal glory. Earlier that season, Peplinski had scored 38 points in 79 games, contributing to the Flames' run. His durability was legendary: he missed only 24 games in his entire career, playing all 80 games in four separate seasons. That consistency, combined with his willingness to step aside for a teammate's final moment, cemented his place in Flames history.

Reader's Guide

Upon retiring from the Flames, Peplinski invested in Hartfield Chieftain Leasing, a small vehicle leasing company. Starting with 565 units, split between operations in Calgary and Edmonton, the company initially struggled. In 1998, the company was thriving and merged with his father-in-law's leasing company in the East (Leasemaster), creating a national vehicle leasing firm, Jim Peplinski Leasing Inc. Peplinski remains the Chairman of Jim Peplinski Leasing which serves small to mid-sided fleet vehicles across the country. Peplinski is also the Chairman of Properly Investment Company, a firm established to invest in entrepreneurs. Peplinski has been recognized for his charitable contributions. He was named the final recipient of the Charlie Conacher Humanitarian Award in 1984 for his work in support of the Special Olympics and Big Brothers of Calgary. The Flames named him their recipient of the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award in 1988. Peplinski is married to Catherine (née Esplen), and they have four children together. Arena 1 in the Jim Durrell Centre is named Jim Peplinski Arena.

Did You Know?

• Peplinski scored four goals in his 100th NHL game on November 17, 1981 against the Winnipeg Jets.
• He was scratched from the lineup for Game 6 of the 1989 Stanley Cup Final but came onto the ice to accept the trophy.