Triskaidekaphobia

In celebration of today being Friday the 13th, I thought I’d take a look at triskaidekaphobia in relation to the Calgary Flames. Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13, one of the most common phobias amongst North Americans. Why the number 13 is considered unlucky is not known for sure, but a common speculation is that Judas, who betrayed Jesus at the last supper, was the 13th person to sit down at the table. Whatever the reason, it is quite common, and examples of this phobia are evident throughout our society. Many high rise buildings do not have a 13th floor, some airports do not have a Gate 13, and hotels often do not have rooms numbered 13. Some say the ill fated mission to the moon on Apollo 13 was doomed from the start due to the unlucky mission number, and others point out that some of the most infamous men in history have names that contain 13 letters, like Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson and Jeffery Dahmer.

When it comes to jersey numbers, 13 is by far the least worn number in team history. Only four players have worn the unlucky number; Martin Simard, Shawn Heaphy, German Titov and Mike Cammalleri. Even the number 9 has been worn by more players, at it has been retired for 20 years! It’s no doubt a case of triskaidekaphobia that has caused so few players to select it over the years. In comparison, lucky number 7 has been worn by 22 different Flames players, and number 15 has been worn by 19 different players.

The longest tenure for a Flames player wearing ‘13’ is by German Titov, who played 345 games for the team over five seasons between 1993 and 1998. During his career with the Flames, Titov notched 107 goals and 228 points. The most recent member of the Flames to wear ‘13’ is Mike Cammalleri, who led the team with 39 (that’s 13x3) goals last year. Cammalleri only played the one season with the Flames before signing with the Canadiens as a free agent this past off-season. Martin Simard played 37 games with the Flames during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons, recording six points and 172 penalty minutes. He was then traded to the Nordiques, played seven more games for the Lightning, and was out of hockey by 1997. The final Flame to wear number 13 was Shawn Heaphy, who is included on the NHL’s list of one-game wonders, playing only one career game in the NHL, for the Flames in 1992. These four players had varying degrees of success wearing the number 13, but Flames fans will not see this sweater raised to the rafters anytime soon. Combined, the four players notched 147 goals and 169 (that’s 13x13) assists in 464 games.

The number 13 becomes particularly unlucky, when there’s a Friday the 13th on the calendar, which some say is because Jesus died on a Friday, while others think it was because the Knights Templar were arrested and disbanded on Friday, October 13, 1307. Tonight’s game against the Sabres will be only the fourth time the Flames have played a game on Friday the 13th. I’m not sure if this is because the NHL has paraskevidekatriaphobia or not, but it seems someone is trying to avoid scheduling games on this dreaded day. The first time was in the playoffs on Friday, April 13th, 1984, which saw the Flames defeat the Oilers, in Edmonton, by a 6-5 score in overtime. It was the 2nd game of the 2nd round series, which the Flames would eventually lose in seven games. The team’s 2nd Friday the 13th tilt occurred three years later at the Saddledome, where the Flames took on the Los Angeles Kings on Friday, November 13th, 1987. Again the Flames came out with a victory, beating the Kings 10-7. The third game was against the Ducks in Calgary on Friday, February 13th, 2004, when the Flames won 2-1.

It would seem that the Flames aren’t affected by the superstitions of this day, and perhaps tonight’s game against Buffalo will have similar results as the previous two Friday the 13th games. But just in case, I have recommended to the team that nobody wear number 13 tonight, and that the players are sure not to walk under any ladders, spill any salt, or break any mirrors. Just in case.

-The Rev

There are 13 letters in Calgary Flames
This blog contains:
3510 characters, which is 13x270;
767 words, which is 13x59;
65 lines which is 13x5;
And 13 paragraphs.

Just in case you are superstitious.