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 career 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. He o

In Their Own Story

The climax of Peplinski's career arrived during the 1988–89 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He scored 38 points in 79 regular-season games and appeared in all 20 playoff games leading to the final against the Montreal Canadiens. In a pivotal moment before Game 6, head coach Terry Crisp decided to insert Lanny McDonald into the lineup for the potential clinching game, expecting McDonald's retirement later that season. Consequently, Peplinski was scratched from the lineup but remained on the bench as the Flames won the championship. He immediately came onto the ice to accept the trophy alongside McDonald and alternate captain Tim Hunter. Following this victory, Peplinski attempted a comeback in the 1994–95 season after joining Hockey Night in Canada as a color commentator. Signed as a free agent by the Flames on April 6, 1995, he played six more games before retiring for good on October 31, 1989 (noting the text states his initial retirement was Oct 31, 1989, six games into the 1989-90 season). He left as the Flames' all-time leader in games played with 705.

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 101 points in 67 games in his final junior season with the Toronto Marlboros.
• He was a tri-captain of the Flames, sharing the role with Lanny McDonald and Doug Risebrough.
• Peplinski left the game as the Flames' all-time leader in games played at 705.
• He organized the alumni game between the Flames and Canadiens at the 2011 Heritage Classic.