Potsdam's Conroy announces retirement from Calgary Flames, appointment as Flames special assistant

CALGARY, Alberta -- Craig Conroy and the Calgary Flames Hockey Club announced Friday the retirement of the Potsdam native from the National Hockey League, and his appointment as Flames Special Assistant to the Acting General Manager.

The former Clarkson Golden Knights standout had played little this season, fueling rumors of impending retirement.

The rumors were all but confirmed when the Flames put Conroy on waivers in January.

But North Country hockey aficionados speculated that the leadership he displayed during his 17-year NHL playing career would likely land him a management position somewhere in the league.

"I consider myself lucky that my career brought me and my family to the city of Calgary and the Flames organization," said Conroy. “I leave the ice content and prepared for the next stage of my career in the game."

Conroy concludes his playing career with a total of 1,009 games in the League's record book; 507 of those games were played in a Flames uniform, and the rest for the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues.

On Oct. 28, he celebrated his 1,000 career game in front of Calgary hometown fans.

More info from Calgary Herald and CBC News.