Calgary Flames' Chris Tanev: The Ultimate Warrior on the Blueline

Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev has become synonymous with resilience and sacrifice on the ice. Tanev’s untamed hair and battle-scarred face paint a vivid picture of his fearless style of play. With a mouth seemingly devoid of teeth, Tanev’s commitment to blocking shots is evident.

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Following the Flames’ triumphant 1-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks, Tanev sat down for an interview with Scott Oake and Eric Francis on Sportsnet. During the conversation, he revealed how his shot-blocking prowess originated, crediting Rick Bowness, his first NHL defensive coach and the current Winnipeg Jets head coach.

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Recalling his rookie season, Tanev reflected on a penalty-killing play where Shane Doan of the Winnipeg Jets scored after he failed to intercept the shot. Bowness, unimpressed with Tanev’s defensive display, implored him to get in the shooting lane, and this sage advice stuck with Tanev throughout his career.

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Tanev’s shot-blocking prowess is nothing short of exceptional. Since his NHL debut in the 2010-11 season, he has recorded a whopping ###blocked shots#. That’s an average of over two blocked shots per game.

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While most of these shots don’t result in injuries, there have been exceptions. In 2018, a shot by Morgan Reilly of the Toronto Maple Leafs struck Tanev in the face, causing him to lose seven and a half teeth. Surprisingly, Tanev revealed that he wasn’t intentionally trying to block that particular shot, as Mitch Marner had inadvertently tipped it into his face. These unforeseen incidents often lead to long hours in the dentist’s chair.

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Another instance, which occurred just months ago during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights, saw Tanev risking life and teeth to make a save. With the game tied at 1-1 and just five minutes remaining, the puck bounced into the slot for William Karlsson. Tanev, displaying his trademark fearlessness, flung himself head-first in front of Karlsson’s shot, taking it squarely in the face. Miraculously, he escaped with only a chin injury and intact teeth. Upon reflection, Tanev admitted it was a rash decision and wondered why he hadn’t gone the other way.

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However, such incidents are all in a day’s work for Tanev, whose willingness to sacrifice his body for the game is unparalleled. His unique appearance, with a characteristic ‘snaggle tooth’ at the forefront, serves as a constant reminder to opponents of his dedication to victory. Although Tanev admitted that this missing tooth may not be the most attractive feature, it symbolizes his steadfast commitment to his craft.

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Regardless of whether Tanev remains with the Flames for the remainder of the season or is traded to a contending team before the trade deadline, one thing is certain: any team that acquires him will gain an indomitable warrior on their blueline.