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Rhett Warrener
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  Canada
| ||
| Men's ice hockey | ||
| Pacific Cup | ||
 |
1993 Japan | |
| World Junior Championships | ||
 |
1996 United States | |
Key Information
Rhett Adam Warrener (born January 27, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played over 700 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames between 1995 and 2008. He was a member of the Canadian national junior team that won a gold medal at the 1996 World Junior Championship. Warrener retired in 2009 after missing a full season due to a shoulder injury. He briefly remained with the Flames as a scout before turning to broadcasting. Warrener was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Frontier, Saskatchewan.
Playing career
[edit]Junior
[edit]Warrener played his junior hockey with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL). They selected him with their first selection, fifth overall, in the 1991 WHL Bantam Draft.[1] He appeared in two WHL games in 1991–92 before joining the Blades full-time in 1992–93. Warrener was named the team's rookie of the year that season after recording 19 points in 68 games.[2] He made his first appearance with the national team in the summer of 1993, joining the under-18 team for the 1993 Pacific Cup. Warrener appeared in five games for the bronze medal winning Canadians.[3]
Following a 1993–94 season in which Warrener scored 26 points and recorded 131 penalty minutes, the Florida Panthers selected him with their second round selection, 27th overall, at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.[4] He played a third full season in the WHL in 1994–95, scoring 39 points and recording 137 penalty minutes in 66 games.[2]
Professional
[edit]Warrener joined the Panthers for the 1995–96 season and made his NHL debut on October 17, 1995, against the New Jersey Devils.[2] He appeared in 28 regular season games for Florida, tallying three assists, and played in nine more for the American Hockey League's Carolina Monarchs. He appeared in 21 additional games in the 1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Colorado Avalanche.[5] During the season, the Panthers released Warrener to the Canadian national junior team for the 1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He appeared in six games, recording four penalty minutes, and won a gold medal as Canada defeated Sweden for the championship.[6]
Establishing himself as a regular defenceman in the Panthers lineup, Warrener appeared in 62 games in 1996–97. He scored his first NHL goal on January 23, 1997, against Boston Bruins' goaltender Rob Tallas and finished the season with 4 goals and 13 points.[2] He appeared in a career high 79 games in 1997–98, recording four assists, and had seven assists in 44 games in 1998–99 when the Panthers traded him.[4] Warrener was sent to the Buffalo Sabres, along with a draft pick, for Mike Wilson on March 23, 1999.[7] The Sabres reached the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Dallas Stars in the sixth game of the series. Like many of that year's Sabres players, Warrener believes Brett Hull's controversial Cup clinching goal should not have counted given Hull's foot was in the goal crease in apparent violation of the rules of the time.[5] Warrener was one of the top defencemen of the playoffs; his plus-minus of +12 was the third best total of the post-season.[2]
Warrener led the Sabres' defence with a +18 rating in 1999–2000. He again led the defence with a +10 in 2000–01 and set a career high with 19 points. The Sabres named him the recipient of their Tim Horton Memorial Award as the team's "unsung hero"[2] Warrener's five goals and 113 penalty minutes in 2001–02 were both career highs.[4] He was limited to 50 games in 2002–03 after missing time with a broken foot, concussion, abdominal strain and inner-ear imbalance.[8]
The Calgary Flames acquired Warrener, along with Steve Reinprecht in exchange for Chris Drury and Steve Bégin on July 3, 2003.[4] He appeared in 77 games in 2003–04, scoring three goals and 17 points, and appeared in his 500th NHL game on November 22, 2003, against the Chicago Blackhawks.[2] He added an assist in 24 playoff games as the Flames reached the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.[2] Warrener was considered one of the team's best defenders; head coach Darryl Sutter said he was the Flames' most underrated players and was influential in helping the team reach the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons.[9] It was the third time he reached the final in his first season with a team, but he again fell short of winning the championship as the Flames were defeated for the Cup in seven games by the Tampa Bay Lightning.[5]
After missing the 2004–05 season due to a labour stoppage, Warrener scored 6 points in 61 games in 2005–06 but again missed significant time to injuries.[2] Named an alternate captain in 2006–07,[10] he appeared in 62 games, scoring ten points.[4] Warrener missed the majority of the 2007–08 season with a variety of injuries, including a broken leg along with ankle and throat injuries. Consequently, the Flames placed Warrener on waivers prior to the 2008–09 season, intending to remove him from the team roster.[11] Instead, he was placed on injured reserve following shoulder surgery. While he hoped to return to the Flames' lineup at some point during the season,[12] but ultimately missed the entire season. Realizing his shoulder remained too weak, Warrener announced his retirement following the season but remained with the Flames as a scout.[13]
Personal
[edit]Heavily involved in the community, Warrener was recognized by the Flames on several occasions for his charitable endeavours. He purchased a luxury suite to bring kids otherwise unable to attend to Flames and Calgary Hitmen games and supported numerous community charities, including the Alberta Children's Hospital and KidSport. The team named him winner of the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award as the Flames' player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, determination and leadership on the ice, combined with dedication to community service" in both 2006 and 2007.[14] Additionally, he was named the team's nominee for the 2008 King Clancy Memorial Trophy leadership on and off the ice.[10]
Warrener, who was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, and his wife Christina, a native of Buffalo, continue to live in Calgary.[15] The couple have two sons.[5] Unsatisfied in his role as a scout, Warrener left the game for a time. He returned to the sport as a broadcaster, appearing as an intermission panelist for the team's television broadcasts and joining Sportsnet 960 radio for a weekly segment called "Warrener Wednesdays". He parlayed his weekly guest spot into a daily co-host position on the station's morning show.[5] As a co-host Warrener made a strong impact in the Calgary community supporting many charity events. In spring 2019 he decided to leave radio in order to rejoin the Flames organization in a player development role.
Starting in October 2024, Rhett, along with his former Sportsnet 960 pals, Dean "Boomer" Molberg and Ryan Pinder started their own podcast which is part of the Nation Network called Barn Burner.
Along with Mike Commodore, he played a role in Paul Brandt's music video, "Convoy", as a truck driver.
Career statistics
[edit]Regular season and playoffs
[edit]| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1991–92 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | 68 | 2 | 17 | 19 | 100 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | ||
| 1993–94 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | 61 | 7 | 19 | 26 | 131 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 33 | ||
| 1994–95 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | 66 | 13 | 26 | 39 | 137 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 1995–96 | Carolina Monarchs | AHL | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 28 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 46 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | ||
| 1996–97 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 62 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 88 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 79 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 99 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 48 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 32 | ||
| 1999–00 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 61 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 89 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2000–01 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 77 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 78 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2001–02 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 65 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 113 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 50 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 63 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 77 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 97 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 2005–06 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 61 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 54 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | ||
| 2006–07 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 62 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 67 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| 2007–08 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 31 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 714 | 24 | 82 | 106 | 899 | 101 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 78 | ||||
International
[edit]| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Canada | PC | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1996 | Canada | WJC | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| Junior totals | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||
Honours and awards
[edit]| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Team awards | ||
| Tim Horton Memorial Award Buffalo Sabres' unsung hero |
2000–01 | [2] |
| Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award Calgary Flames player who exemplifies leadership and community service |
2005–06 2006–07 |
[14] |
References
[edit]- Career statistics: "Rhett Warrener player card". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Flett, Cory; Watts, Jessie (eds.). 2008–09 WHL Guide. Western Hockey League. p. 116.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hanlon, Peter; Kelso, Sean, eds. (2007). 2007–08 Calgary Flames Media Guide. Calgary Flames Hockey Club. pp. 66–67.
- ^ "1993 national men's under-18 team". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ a b c d e "Rhett Warrener profile". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ a b c d e Heinen, Lawrence (2012-02-02). "Alumni Update: Rhett Warrener". Calgary Flames Hockey Club. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Podnieks, Andrew, ed. (2011). IIHF Guide & Record Book 2012. International Ice Hockey Federation. p. 528. ISBN 978-0-7710-9598-6.
- ^ "Sabres acquire Juneau, Panthers' Warrener". The Buffalo News. 1999-03-23. Archived from the original on 2016-04-10. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ "Sabres' Warrener has inner-ear imbalance". The Buffalo News. 2003-03-20. Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Gleason, Bucky (2004-05-30). "Warrener: Buffalo's loss is a huge gain for Calgary". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ a b "Rhett Warrener selected as Nominee for King Clancy Trophy". Calgary Flames Hockey Club. 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ "Flames trim roster, waive Warrener". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Sportak, Randy (2009-02-25). "Rhett bets comeback still possible". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ MacFarlane, Steve (2009-10-02). "Scouting role for Warrener". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- ^ a b "Warrener named recipient of 2006-07 Scurfield Humanitarian Award". Calgary Flames Hockey Club. 2007-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ^ Cruickshank, Scott (2007-02-10). "Warrener recalls 'crazy' days as a Buffalo soldier". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
Rhett Warrener
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and junior career
Early life
Rhett Warrener was born on January 27, 1976, in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, Canada.[5][6] He grew up in the nearby small town of Frontier, Saskatchewan, approximately 30 minutes away from Shaunavon, where his birth was recorded at the local hospital.[7][8] Warrener was raised in a close-knit rural community of around 500 residents, where community life centered on the local recreation centre during the winter months.[7] This facility, equipped with curling rinks, an arcade, bowling alley, mini-putt, and an indoor rink, served as a hub for youth activities and played a pivotal role in his early development.[7] He has an older brother, Trevor Warrener, who also pursued hockey at a competitive level.[3][9] Warrener's initial involvement in hockey occurred through local minor associations in Saskatchewan, where he played indoors at the Frontier recreation centre and could participate on multiple teams to maximize ice time.[7] Outdoor play was more casual, limited to informal shinny games rather than structured practices, reflecting the region's emphasis on indoor facilities amid harsh winters.[7] This environment fostered his passion for the sport from a young age in a hockey-centric prairie culture.[7]Junior career
Rhett Warrener began his major junior hockey career with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL) after being selected fifth overall in the 1991 WHL Bantam Draft.[10] He played three full seasons with the Blades from 1992 to 1995, establishing himself as a reliable defenseman known for his physical presence on the ice, as indicated by his accumulating penalty minutes across those years.[5][11] In his rookie season of 1992–93, Warrener suited up for 68 regular-season games, contributing 2 goals and 17 assists for 19 points while racking up 100 penalty minutes.[3] The following year, 1993–94, he appeared in 61 games, improving offensively with 7 goals and 19 assists totaling 26 points, alongside 131 penalty minutes that underscored his aggressive defensive style.[3] Warrener's final junior campaign in 1994–95 marked his most productive, as he played 66 games and recorded career highs of 13 goals, 26 assists, and 39 points, with 137 penalty minutes reflecting his physical engagement.[3]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–93 | Saskatoon Blades | 68 | 2 | 17 | 19 | 100 |
| 1993–94 | Saskatoon Blades | 61 | 7 | 19 | 26 | 131 |
| 1994–95 | Saskatoon Blades | 66 | 13 | 26 | 39 | 137 |
Professional career
Florida Panthers
Warrener made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut with the Florida Panthers during the 1995–96 season, shortly after being selected by the team in the second round (27th overall) of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.[1] As a 19-year-old rookie, he appeared in 28 regular-season games for the Panthers, recording three assists while establishing himself as a physical, stay-at-home defenseman known for his shot-blocking and penalty-killing abilities.[12] To further his development, Warrener also spent time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Panthers' affiliate, the Carolina Monarchs, where he played nine games that season, accumulating four penalty minutes.[5] In the 1995–96 playoffs, Warrener contributed to the Panthers' surprising run to their first-ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance, defeating the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins before falling to the Colorado Avalanche in four games. He dressed for multiple playoff games, including the Eastern Conference Finals and the Finals series, providing defensive support on a young blue line during the team's Cinderella season.[1] The following year, 1996–97, Warrener solidified his role in Florida's top-six defense, playing 62 games and scoring four goals with 13 points, while continuing to hone his shutdown style against opposing forwards.[13] Warrener's tenure with the Panthers lasted through parts of four seasons, during which he appeared in 217 regular-season games, amassing four goals and 27 points while logging heavy minutes in a defensive capacity.[1] On March 23, 1999, amid a rebuilding phase for the Panthers, Warrener was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Mike Wilson and a fifth-round draft pick in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft (which Buffalo used to select goaltender Ryan Miller).[14] This deal marked the end of his time in Florida, where he had transitioned from promising prospect to reliable NHL defender.Buffalo Sabres
Rhett Warrener joined the Buffalo Sabres midway through the 1998–99 season via a trade from the Florida Panthers on March 23, 1999, in exchange for defenseman Mike Wilson and a fifth-round draft pick.[1] He quickly became a key part of the team's defensive core, contributing to their run to the Stanley Cup Finals that year. In 13 regular-season games with Buffalo, Warrener recorded 1 goal and a +3 rating, while accumulating 20 penalty minutes that underscored his physical presence on the ice.[13] His defensive contributions were evident in the playoffs, where he appeared in 20 games, tallying 1 goal, 3 assists, and 32 penalty minutes, including a crucial goal in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins.[15] Warrener played all six games of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Maple Leafs, helping the Sabres advance to the Finals with a 4–2 series victory before suffering a broken ankle in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Dallas Stars, sidelining him for the remainder of the series.[16] Over the next three full seasons from 1999–00 to 2002–03, Warrener solidified his role as a reliable shutdown defenseman for Buffalo, appearing in 266 regular-season games and posting a cumulative +47 plus-minus rating.[1] His statistical peaks included a career-high 77 games played in 2000–01, where he notched 3 goals and 16 assists for 19 points alongside a +10 rating.[5] In 2001–02, he led the team in penalty minutes among defensemen with 113, reflecting his aggressive, physical style honed earlier in his career.[13] That tenacity earned him the Sabres' Tim Horton Memorial Award in 2001 as the team's "unsung hero," an honor voted by the Booster Club recognizing his understated but vital contributions to the defense.[17] Warrener's tenure with Buffalo ended on July 3, 2003, when he was traded, along with forward Steve Reinprecht, to the Calgary Flames in a three-way deal involving the Colorado Avalanche; in return, the Sabres received center Chris Drury and forward Steve Bégin.[18]Calgary Flames
Warrener was acquired by the Calgary Flames from the Buffalo Sabres on July 3, 2003, in a three-team trade that also involved the Colorado Avalanche.[18] In his first season with the Flames during 2003-04, he appeared in 77 regular-season games, recording 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points while accumulating 97 penalty minutes, contributing to a +8 plus-minus rating.[13] Warrener played a key role on the Flames' defense during their run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals, appearing in 24 playoff games with 0 goals and 1 assist, and he was considered one of the team's best defenders for his physical play and reliability.[2] Teammates praised his leadership, noting him as the biggest voice in the dressing room and a key off-ice leader during the playoff push.[19] The 2004-05 NHL lockout sidelined Warrener, but he returned in 2005-06, playing 61 games and earning the Flames' Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award for his perseverance, determination, leadership, and community service.[13][20] He repeated as the award winner in 2006-07 after appearing in 62 games, where he tallied 4 goals and 6 assists.[13][21] Recurring shoulder injuries began to limit Warrener's playing time in his final seasons. In 2007-08, he managed only 31 games with 1 goal and 3 assists before the injury forced him out.[13] He missed the entire 2008-09 season due to the shoulder issue, which sidelined him indefinitely starting October 8, 2008.[22] Warrener announced his retirement on October 1, 2009, after the injury ended his career, having served as a steady leader on the Flames' blue line throughout his tenure.[22]International career
World Junior Championships
Rhett Warrener was selected to represent Team Canada as a defenseman at the 1996 IIHF World U20 Championship, held in the United States (Boston area) from December 26, 1995, to January 4, 1996. Coming off a solid season with the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League, where he recorded 39 points and 137 penalty minutes in 66 games, Warrener earned his spot on the roster for his physical, stay-at-home defensive style and reliability in his own end.[5][23] In the tournament, Warrener appeared in all six games for Canada, logging significant ice time in a shutdown role alongside fellow blueliners. He did not record any points but contributed four penalty minutes, reflecting his willingness to engage physically when needed, while helping anchor a defense that allowed just eight goals against over the entire competition. His contributions were particularly notable in limiting high-danger chances, as Canada outscored opponents 27–8 en route to an undefeated record.[24][25] Canada secured the gold medal with a 4–1 victory over Sweden in the gold-medal game on January 4, capping a perfect 6–0–0 performance that included round-robin wins over the United States (6–1), Switzerland (2–1), Finland (3–1), and Ukraine (8–1), followed by a semifinal win over Russia (4–3). Warrener's steady presence on the blue line was integral to the team's defensive structure during these matches, especially in the tense semifinal and final where Canada maintained control against skilled European offenses.[26] The gold medal triumph marked Canada's fourth consecutive World Junior title and provided Warrener with invaluable experience competing at an elite international level, enhancing his reputation as a gritty, dependable prospect just months after being drafted 27th overall by the Florida Panthers in 1995. This exposure contributed to his transition to professional hockey, where he debuted in the NHL during the 1995–96 season, building on the poise and toughness gained from the tournament.[26][3]Other international appearances
Warrener did not represent Canada in any senior-level international competitions, such as the Winter Olympics or IIHF World Championships, during his professional career.[3] His international involvement was confined to junior levels, with the 1996 World Junior Championship marking his most notable achievement in that category. Warrener also represented Canada at the under-18 level, playing in the 1993–94 Pacific Cup tournament, where he appeared in 5 games without recording a point.[3] As a full-time NHL defenseman from 1995 to 2008, appearing in 714 regular-season games across three teams, Warrener's schedule aligned with several major international tournaments, including the 1998, 2002, and 2006 Olympics, but he received no invitations to these events.[5] A series of injuries further constrained his availability.[27] In the 2008 preseason, Warrener suffered a severe shoulder injury, leading to his placement on long-term injured reserve and causing him to miss the entire 2008–09 NHL season.[28] This injury ultimately forced his retirement in April 2009 at age 33, after which he transitioned to scouting and broadcasting roles.[3] No records exist of his participation in senior Hockey Canada camps, exhibitions, or other minor international activities following his junior career.[5]Post-playing career
Broadcasting
Following his retirement from the NHL in 2009 due to chronic shoulder injuries, Rhett Warrener entered sports broadcasting, leveraging his 14-year professional playing career for insightful analysis. He began contributing to Calgary's Sportsnet 960 radio station shortly thereafter, focusing on hockey commentary.[8][29] By the early 2010s, Warrener had expanded his role to co-host the weekday morning program Boomer in the Morning on Sportsnet 960, alongside Dean "Boomer" Molberg and Ryan Pinder. The show aired from 6 to 9 a.m. MT and covered NHL news, player perspectives, and league-wide topics, with Warrener's firsthand experiences as a defenceman adding depth to discussions on strategy and team dynamics. His candid, no-nonsense style resonated with Calgary Flames fans, establishing him as a trusted voice in local sports media.[30][31][29] In 2019, Warrener briefly stepped away from full-time radio to join the Calgary Flames in a player development role. He returned to co-hosting Boomer in the Morning thereafter. Warrener departed Boomer in the Morning in March 2022 after nearly a decade on the air, citing a desire for new ventures. In October 2022, he reunited with Molberg and Pinder to launch the independent daily podcast Barn Burner: Boomer & Pinder with Rhett Warrener, produced in partnership with FlamesNation. The program streams live Monday through Friday at 10:10 a.m. MT, delivering focused breakdowns of Flames games, roster moves, and NHL trends, often incorporating Warrener's player-era anecdotes for context. As of 2025, it remains a staple for Flames supporters, with episodes featuring guest interviews and real-time reactions to league events.[31][32][33][34][35] Beyond radio and podcasting, Warrener has made select television appearances, including a 2014 guest spot on Rogers Hometown Hockey, where he discussed community involvement in sports. His broadcasting work emphasizes accessible, experience-based insights, contributing to his enduring popularity among hockey audiences in Calgary and beyond.[36][29]Coaching and other activities
Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2009, Warrener has served as an assistant coach for the Sauce Hockey Academy's 2009 Major team in the Hockey Super League, a youth program based in Calgary.[37] He has also contributed to youth development through the Calgary Flames Alumni Hockey School, where he provides one-on-one instruction in power skating techniques such as acceleration and pivoting, along with general skills training for children aged 6 to 14 during multi-day camps at the VIVO Recreation Centre.[38][39] These roles allow him to mentor young players, emphasizing fun, skill-building, and a low instructor-to-participant ratio of 4:1 to foster growth in the sport.[38] Warrener's commitment to community service, which began during his playing career, earned him the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award from the Calgary Flames in both the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, recognizing his perseverance, determination, leadership on the ice, and dedication to off-ice humanitarian efforts.[20] Post-retirement, he has remained actively involved with the Calgary Flames Alumni Association, supporting organizations such as KidSport and the Alberta Children's Hospital through various initiatives.[2] As a Flames alumnus, Warrener has participated in numerous charity events, including leading a team to first place in the low net category at the 2019 Flames Celebrity Charity Golf Classic, which raised over $400,000 for the Calgary Flames Foundation.[40] He initiated the Calgary Flames Alumni Holiday Toy Drive, inspired by similar efforts during his time in Buffalo, and has helped deliver toys and gift cards to underprivileged families in partnership with the Calgary Police Foundation's Integrated School Support Program and the Women in Need Society.[41] Additionally, in 2022, he joined the Power Play Program of the Calgary Police Youth Foundation as an ambassador, interacting with children and youth at the Max Bell Centre to promote skating and hockey while building positive relationships with police officers.[42]Personal life
Family
Rhett Warrener married Christina Bager, a native of Buffalo, New York, on August 11, 2006, at St. Mary Catholic Church in East Amherst, New York.[43] The couple has two sons and has built their family life in Calgary, Alberta, following Warrener's trade to the Calgary Flames in 2003.[8] Their older son, Luke, born in 2009, has pursued hockey and was drafted by the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League in 2025.[44][45] Warrener's family has provided consistent support throughout his NHL career and into his post-retirement broadcasting role, with the couple emphasizing strong roots in Calgary for their sons' upbringing.[8] Warrener has a brother, Trevor Warrener, who played hockey at the collegiate level for SAIT Polytechnic in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference during the 1995–96 season.[9] Trevor's sons, Dax and Ethan—Rhett's nephews—have also engaged in competitive youth hockey, with Dax playing for teams in the Hockey Calgary leagues.[46]Injuries and health
Warrener's career was significantly affected by recurring shoulder injuries that began in the mid-2000s during his tenure with the Calgary Flames.[8] One notable incident occurred in the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals when he dislocated his right shoulder in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning but returned to play after a quick repair by trainers, continuing to contribute effectively in the series.[47] These issues worsened over time, with Warrener suffering another severe shoulder injury during the 2007–08 season that sidelined him for an extended period. The injuries culminated in the 2007-08 season, where Warrener played only 31 games amid ongoing shoulder problems, followed by shoulder surgery that placed him on injured reserve. In the 2008-09 season, he missed all 82 regular-season games and the playoffs due to the shoulder injury, leading the Flames to place him on long-term injured reserve in October 2008.[48] This ultimately forced his retirement in 2009 at age 33, as the recurring nature of the injury prevented a return to professional play.[28] Post-retirement, Warrener has openly discussed the profound impact of his shoulder injuries on his career and personal life. In a 2017 presentation at the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health's Wood Forum in Calgary, he detailed how the injury ended his NHL tenure and affected his daily activities, emphasizing the challenges of transitioning away from hockey.[49] Rehabilitation involved surgery and ongoing management, with Warrener crediting medical advancements and support from family—particularly his wife Christina—for aiding his recovery and adjustment to life after sports.[8] As of 2025, Warrener reports managing his long-term shoulder condition effectively while remaining active in broadcasting and community events, such as autograph sessions and alumni appearances for the Flames.[50] No major health setbacks have been reported in recent years, allowing him to maintain a robust post-playing career.[51]Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Warrener played 714 regular season games in the National Hockey League (NHL) over 13 seasons with the Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, and Calgary Flames, accumulating 24 goals, 82 assists, and 899 penalty minutes.[1]Regular Season
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–96 | FLA | 28 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 46 | 4 |
| 1996–97 | FLA | 62 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 88 | 20 |
| 1997–98 | FLA | 79 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 99 | -16 |
| 1998–99 | FLA | 48 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 64 | -1 |
| 1998–99 | BUF | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 3 |
| 1999–00 | BUF | 61 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 89 | 18 |
| 2000–01 | BUF | 77 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 78 | 10 |
| 2001–02 | BUF | 65 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 113 | 15 |
| 2002–03 | BUF | 50 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 63 | 1 |
| 2003–04 | CGY | 77 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 97 | 8 |
| 2005–06 | CGY | 61 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 54 | 7 |
| 2006–07 | CGY | 62 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 67 | 6 |
| 2007–08 | CGY | 31 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 21 | -2 |
| Career | 714 | 24 | 82 | 106 | 899 | 73 |
Playoffs
Warrener appeared in 101 playoff games across eight postseasons, recording 1 goal and 9 assists for 10 points.[1]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–96 | FLA | 21 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 3 |
| 1996–97 | FLA | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998–99 | BUF | 20 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 12 |
| 1999–00 | BUF | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| 2000–01 | BUF | 13 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| 2003–04 | CGY | 24 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| 2005–06 | CGY | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 |
| 2006–07 | CGY | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | -3 |
| Career | 101 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 78 | 21 |
International
Warrener's international statistics are limited to junior-level competitions, where he contributed to Canada's gold medal win at the 1996 IIHF World Junior Championships.1996 IIHF World Junior Championships
| Tournament | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 WJC (Canada) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Other International Appearances
Warrener also participated in the 1994 Pacific Cup, an under-18 international tournament.[3]| Tournament | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 Pacific Cup U18 (Canada) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
International Career Totals (Junior)
| Level | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |