|
Conroy hangs up skates
Will work for acting Flames GM
By
RANDY SPORTAK, QMI Agency
|
  
|
  Craig Conroy is expected to retire on Friday and take a new job with the Flames. (QMI Agency/Mike Drew)
|
CALGARY - Popular Calgary Flames forward Craig Conroy announced his retirement during a Friday afternoon press conference.
Conroy has accepted a job with the club, as the special assistant to the acting GM. His duties under acting GM Jay Feaster will include making trips to B.C. to watch prospects on the Flames' AHL club, the Abbotsford Heat.
Conroy was put through waivers last week, and although he considered reporting to the AHL Abbotsford Heat, admitted immediately he was leaning to retirement.
It brings to an end a 16-year NHL career in which he played 1,009 regular season games and collected 182 goals and 542 points. He also played 81 playoff games, including all 26 during the Flames run to the Stanley Cup final in 2004, and collected 10 goals and 30 points.
Conroy finishes his career 18th on the Flames all-time list with 308 points (97-211-308), having played 507 games for Calgary.
Known only for being a checking centre during his time with both the Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues, Conroy was acquired in a surprising trade at the 2000-01 season deadline, arriving with a seventh round draft choice for Cory Stillman.
However, the outgoing centre meshed with Jarome Iginla early the next season, and they both went on to have career seasons.
Iginla led the league with 52 goals and 96 points in the 2001-02 season, while Conroy had his best pro season with 27 goals and 75 points.
Conroy became co-captain in Februrary 2002, and was the team’s captain after Bob Boughner was traded following the 2002-03 season.
Conroy turned over the captaincy to Iginla prior to the 2003-04 season.
He signed with the Los Angeles Kings following the playoff run, but was re-acquired via trade in the middle of the 2006-07 season.
A triumphant return with a pair of goals in his first game back, solidified his status among the fans.
twitter.com/RandySportak
