The Calgary Flames Big Country Ice Crew

The Calgary Flames Big Country Ice Crew.

There are basically three different types of ice girls in Calgary. Well, technically two. Okay, only one that's actually on the ice. But that's not the point. There's the Big Country Crew which works at the arena and has two categories: on ice crew and off ice dancers. Then you have the Street Crew, a mobile marketing campaign by the Flames. This is a team of girls that drives around in a Dodge truck.



Who wouldn't be a Flames fan if some pretty ladies from the team pulled up in that ride to your next chuckwagon competition? Apparently, that's popular entertainment in Calgary. Seriously. If you look at the list of places that the Street Crew will be appearing, there's like four or five different races they are going to in just a couple of weeks.

This is a chuckwagon event:



I have no idea what I just watched. Who are those guys behind the wagon? Why are they walking along side the horse before getting on?

Anyway, the girls on the Street Team go to a whole bunch of those events during the summer. It does help explain the alternate logo for the Flames they used from 1998-2007.



But enough about logos, chuckwagons, and Dodge trucks. What does this Street Team look like? Do they make me want to go to a Flames game? Here's a few shots.



Yes. Now I want to go to a Flames game.

So let's move into the Scotiabank Saddledome. These girls are your on ice crew.



And your off ice crew.



There are some interesting girls here. Like Kyleigh.



She's right up my alley because her favorite show is COPS. Nice.

And who can't like Stephanie?



The person she most wants to meet? The man she will marry. And we've never met so therefore I must be a canidate. She also used to stilt walk. And she's a redhead. So she's got that working for her as well.

A prophet on the ice would be Kelsie.



She is quoted as saying on her bio page: “If you want to know where your heart is; look where your mind wanders”. That is some Yoda wisdom right there.

This is Meagan.



And her nickname is Bender. Don't know why.

Finally, Christin.



A goalie. That is just great stuff right there. Something about girls in sports uniforms. And I've always liked the goalie in hockey best of all (for different reasons). So the combo is a win-win.

Now let's take a look at these girls in some photos of them on the ice.



Not a ton of on ice looks, but the photoshot poses work for me. I'm mixing up the on ice and off ice girls for now.



The Flames website says the following which I found very interesting explaining the Big Country Ice Crew:

The Calgary Flames Big Country Ice Crew is made up of two groups. The off-ice crew is a group of young women dedicated to creating an atmosphere and environment that is both energetic and enthusiastic for Calgary Flames patrons. The Group assists the Entertainment and Marketing Departments in the execution of in-game promotions, contests and overall customer service.

The on-ice crew are experienced Hockey and Ringette players that assist the Scotiabank Saddledome Building Staff in the removal of excess snow from the ice surface during all TV Timeouts during each Calgary Flames home game. They also support the Entertainment and Marketing Departments in the set-up, execution, and take-down of all on-ice intermission features.

Did you catch that? The on ice crew are experienced players. Hockey players. Or Ringette players.

Wait a second. What's Ringette?



Ringette is a Canadian game that was first introduced in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario. Developed originally for girls, ringette is a fast-paced team sport on ice in which players use a straight stick to pass, carry, and shoot a rubber ring to score goals.

Even though ringette is played on the same ice-surface as hockey, comparable in equipment and numbers, the similarities end there. More similar to basketball, soccer or lacrosse, ringette is a team sport with a different strategy.

The rules promote team play so that a single player cannot carry the ring from end to end and score a goal. Teams are usually made up of 11 to 17 players; with six skaters on the ice at the same time (a goalie, two defense, a center and two forwards).

Ringette promotes a no-contact policy when it comes to the physical aspect of its game. Penalties are given when a player, intentional or not, makes excessive body contact with another player, checks a player too high on the stick, trips, hits or interferes another player.

That doesn't imply that there isn't skill needed in this sport. Check out this promo video for the sport. It's just 30 seconds, but gives a good overview of sorta what happens.



So. There's that.

I just think that's awesome that attractive ladies play sports. Even if it's with a ring.

Take a look again at the on ice crew with that newfound knowledge that these girls are athletes as well.



Kinda makes you look at them with a new found respect. Yeah, they're attractive, but they can probably outskate you too.

Well done Calgary.

Go Flames Go!

-A full list of ice crews can be found here.-