Conroy gained fame on college, NHL ice

Craig Conroy is the most successful hockey player from the north country, a 14-year NHL veteran, team captain, and Stanley Cup finals participant.

Conroy grew up in Potsdam, and is the son of former Clarkson University skater Mike Conroy, who totaled 102 points in his college career. Conroy's uncle, Tom Taylor, also played for the Golden Knights.

By the time Conroy was in high school, his potential was obvious. He skated three years for the Sandstoners, from 1986-89, then left for Northwood Prep school in Lake Placid. During the 1989-90 season, he led the team in scoring with 32 goals and 44 assists in 32 games.

Conroy was drafted in the sixth round by the NHL's Montreal Canadiens in 1990. He also made his debut as a center for the Golden Knights in 1990, playing in 39 games as a freshman and supplying 30 points (8-22). He made the ECAC All-Rookie squad, and Clarkson reached the NCAA Frozen Four.

Conroy improved to 20 goals scored his sophomore year, ranking fourth on Clarkson in scoring with 36 points. He added 33 more points (10-23) the following year, but had his best year as a senior, leading the Golden Knights in scoring with 26 goals and 39 assists. He was selected to the first team by the ECAC, and was named an NCAA East All-American.

Conroy also was selected a Hobey Baker Award candidate that season, and finished runner-up for the award. He closed his Clarkson career with 63 goals and 104 assists for 167 points in 140 games played, good for 14th all-time at Clarkson.

In 1994, Conroy started his pro career, beginning with the American Hockey League's Fredericton Canadiens. He was called up briefly to Montreal, playing in six games and scoring a goal. After another season mostly in the minor leagues, Conroy was traded to the St. Louis Blues in a deal that also brought Pierre Turgeon to St. Louis.

It was Conroy's big NHL break. In 1996-97, Conroy played in 61 games for the Blues, with six goals and 11 assists. But the next year solidified Conroy's status in the NHL. He was promoted to a full-time shift and finished with 43 points in 81 games for St. Louis, which reached the second round of the playoffs. Conroy was also named a finalist for the Lady Byng and Selke trophies.

Conroy recorded 39 points for the Blues in 1998-99 as the Blues returned to the second round of the playoffs. In 1999-2000, the Blues won the President's Trophy and Conroy finished with 27 points in 79 games. He played most of the 2000-01 season for the Blues, but then was traded to the Calgary Flames for Cory Stillman.

Conroy became a leader on the Flames for four seasons, excelling both on offense and defense. He played in 81 games in 2001-02 and recorded career bests in goals (27), assists (48) and points (75).

He finished second on the team in scoring in 2002-03 with 59 points, and again in 2003-04 with 47 points. The 2003-04 Flames team went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, losing in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

That summer, Conroy signed as free agent with the Los Angeles Kings. He finished second on the team in scoring (66 points) in his only full season with L.A. in 2005-06. In 2006, Conroy was also a member of the U.S. men's hockey team that played in the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Conroy returned to the Kings for the 2006-07, but was traded — in midseason — back to the Flames, where he finished out the season. In 2007-08, he played in 79 games with 34 points. Last season, he played in 82 games with 48 points — good for fourth on the team.

Conroy, who will turn 38 on Sept. 4, is now preparing for his 15th season in the NHL and is one of the Flames' most popular players. His wife, Jessica, is from Watertown, and he has three daughters.

To read about previous selections to the Times' list of The North Country's Greatest Athletes of All time, log on to www.watertowndailytimes.com.