Craig Conroy

Lore & Background

Conroy was an only child raised in Potsdam, New York, where his father Mike played minor league hockey for the Syracuse Blazers. At age four, Conroy served as the team's mascot. He attended Northwood School and played college hockey at Clarkson University, where his father and two uncles also played. In his junior season, Conroy scored two goals in the ECAC semi-final to help Clarkson reach the conference championship, which they won. He reached 100 career points, joining his father as the only father-son pair in Clarkson history to do so. As a senior co-captain, he led the ECAC in scoring with 66 points and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, finishing second. His Clarkson jersey number 7 was retired in 2012.

Drafted by Montreal in 1990, Conroy turned professional in 1994. On his first day of training camp, he got into a fight with star goaltender Patrick Roy after hitting him with a slap shot. He spent most of his early seasons in the AHL before being traded to St. Louis in 1996. Under coach Joel Quenneville, he developed into a top defensive forward and faceoff specialist. He was traded to Calgary in 2001 for Cory Stillman, a deal initially unpopular in Calgary. Conroy formed a strong partnership with Jarome Iginla, helping Iginla reach 50 goals. He served as co-captain and then sole captain before voluntarily giving up the captaincy to Iginla before the 2003–04 season. He played a key role in the Flames' 2004 run to the Stanley Cup Finals, finishing second on the team in playoff scoring with 17 points.

Conroy left Calgary as a free agent to sign with Los Angeles, later admitting he did not truly wish to leave but chose the guaranteed contract due to the looming lockout. After struggling under new coach Marc Crawford, he was traded back to Calgary in 2007. He scored two goals in his second debut with the Flames, defeating his former Kings teammates. He finished his career with Calgary, serving as an alternate captain and scoring his 500th career point in 2009.

Reader's Guide

Craig Conroy's significance lies in his transformation from a college offensive star into one of the NHL's premier defensive forwards. He was twice a finalist for the Selke Trophy and nominated for the Lady Byng, reflecting his two-way ability and sportsmanship. His trade to Calgary in 2001 proved pivotal: he became the first-line center for Jarome Iginla, helping Iginla lead the NHL in scoring and the Flames to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. Conroy's leadership was recognized when he was named co-captain and later sole captain of the Flames, though he voluntarily ceded the role to Iginla. He played over 1,000 NHL games and was the second-oldest player in league history to reach that milestone. Internationally, he represented the United States at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2006 Winter Olympics. After retiring, he became general manager of the Flames, continuing his association with the organization that twice honored him for his leadership, dedication and humanitarian efforts.

Did You Know?

• Conroy was the second-oldest player in NHL history to reach 1,000 games.
• He got into a fight with Patrick Roy on his first day of training camp with Montreal.
• Conroy and his father Mike are the only father-son pair in Clarkson University history to each score 100 career points.
• He scored two goals in his second debut with the Flames after being traded back from Los Angeles.