Post by Jazz on Jul 8, 2004 1:56:46 GMT -5
Conroy can make World of a difference for US[/u][/color]
By Robert Picarello | NHL.com | July 7, 2004
source: WCH2004.COM
Craig Conroy is all about heart.
Every time the center jumps over the boards, he gives his all for his team -- which is all anyone can ever ask for in a hockey player. So when he wasn't chosen to represent his country at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, his heart was shattered into pieces, especially after the Americans took home a silver medal from the event.
The former Flames' alternate captain, who inked a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Kings on July 6, also had his heart ripped out this June when Calgary lost in seven games in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Tampa Bay Lightning after holding a 3-2 lead in the series through five games.
"It's the ultimate low," a somber Conroy said after losing Game 7 by one goal to the Lightning. "You work so hard. It takes two months. We played every game but two to get to this point and then not to win the ultimate goal -- that Cup. We didn't do it and they did, so it's very difficult."
This time around with another international hockey tournament on the horizon -- the 2004 World Cup of Hockey -- Team USA decided to include Conroy in their plans, hoping to turn silver into gold.
The Potsdam, N.Y., native, whose heart was pounding a mile a minute when he found out in May he'd be donning the red-white-and-blue sweater this summer, was more than happy to forget about what happened in the past for the chance to help Team USA defend the World Cup title it won in 1996.
"I was upset about the Olympics and that was, you know, maybe wrong on my part, but they were bigger than me and they stepped forward and gave me an opportunity, so now I will repay them any chance I can get," Conroy said.
While he may not be the most well known player on Team USA's roster, Conroy may very well become a household name after this tournament. The forward was chosen by USA General Manager Larry Pleau because of his high level of skill on both sides of the puck, giving head coach Ron Wilson the option of using Conroy in all types of crucial game situations
"You always want to be one of the guys -- the go-to guy," Conroy said. "You want to be the guy they call on in key situations -- the power play, penalty kill, the last minute of games. Everybody wants to do that."
"You want to be the biggest part of the team as possible. You want to help contribute in wins and losses and that's what it's all about. (Calgary) gave me an opportunity here when maybe other people maybe said; "You know what? This guy's going to be a career-checker." And now, people look at me differently and that's something I always wanted, but it was a long time coming."
"Our goal was to assemble the ideal team for a seven-game playoff series in which every game is a seventh game," said Pleau. "We examined a number of factors including experience, youth, energy, speed and versatility, while considering an overall team chemistry that allows us to gel as we move through the tournament. We are very pleased with those we have selected to represent the United States, and excited about the challenge of defending the championship in the World Cup of Hockey."
At any given moment Conroy, who scored Calgary's only goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, can burn the opposition with his breakout speed, playmaking skills, defensive abilities or his talents in the faceoff circle, making him one of the game's best all-around players.
"Conroy is one of the best two-way centers in the game," said Jarome Iginla, the Calgary captain who will be representing Canada at the 2004 World Cup. "He's always gives us a chance. He's been up for the Selke Award, I think a few times, and you know, maybe should have won it."
Conroy has been a finalist for the Selke Trophy -- awarded to the best defensive forward in the League -- twice in his career (1998 and 2002). He enjoyed a breakout season with Calgary in the 2001-02 season, potting 27 goals and 48 assists to go along with his plus-24 rating.
This year, Conroy finished second in scoring on the Flames in both the regular season and playoffs, helping lead the team to the postseason for the first time in eight years.
"You want to bring a team back to the playoffs and give them a chance to experience it again," Conroy said before the start of the '04 Finals. "To actually be here and with this team, I mean, we always said we believed in ourselves, that hey if we can get to the playoffs, you know, anybody can win. That's what hockey is all about.
"Before the season started I just wanted to make the Playoffs and you know, then we would see what happens. But this is like a dream come true. I mean, I wanted to do it in St. Louis and wasn't able to do it there, and now to get an opportunity, you know, a shot at doing something you dream about since you are five years old, you know, it's almost unreal."
Before getting drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1990 in the sixth round (123rd overall), Conroy made a name for himself in college. He tallied 63 goals and 104 assists through 140 career games with Clarkson University from 1990-94, finishing as the runner-up for the 1994 Hobey Baker Award in his final collegiate season while also earning All-America status.
He helped lead the team to two ECAC Tournament Championships (1991, 1993), three NCAA Tournament showings (1991, 1992, and 1993), a Frozen Four berth in '91 and an ECAC regular-season title during his four-year career with the Golden Knights.
Through the years, Conroy has been able to make his classmates and teammates proud, now he will have a chance to add his country to that list.
By Robert Picarello | NHL.com | July 7, 2004
source: WCH2004.COM
Craig Conroy is all about heart.
Every time the center jumps over the boards, he gives his all for his team -- which is all anyone can ever ask for in a hockey player. So when he wasn't chosen to represent his country at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, his heart was shattered into pieces, especially after the Americans took home a silver medal from the event.
The former Flames' alternate captain, who inked a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Kings on July 6, also had his heart ripped out this June when Calgary lost in seven games in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Tampa Bay Lightning after holding a 3-2 lead in the series through five games.
"It's the ultimate low," a somber Conroy said after losing Game 7 by one goal to the Lightning. "You work so hard. It takes two months. We played every game but two to get to this point and then not to win the ultimate goal -- that Cup. We didn't do it and they did, so it's very difficult."
This time around with another international hockey tournament on the horizon -- the 2004 World Cup of Hockey -- Team USA decided to include Conroy in their plans, hoping to turn silver into gold.
The Potsdam, N.Y., native, whose heart was pounding a mile a minute when he found out in May he'd be donning the red-white-and-blue sweater this summer, was more than happy to forget about what happened in the past for the chance to help Team USA defend the World Cup title it won in 1996.
"I was upset about the Olympics and that was, you know, maybe wrong on my part, but they were bigger than me and they stepped forward and gave me an opportunity, so now I will repay them any chance I can get," Conroy said.
While he may not be the most well known player on Team USA's roster, Conroy may very well become a household name after this tournament. The forward was chosen by USA General Manager Larry Pleau because of his high level of skill on both sides of the puck, giving head coach Ron Wilson the option of using Conroy in all types of crucial game situations
"You always want to be one of the guys -- the go-to guy," Conroy said. "You want to be the guy they call on in key situations -- the power play, penalty kill, the last minute of games. Everybody wants to do that."
"You want to be the biggest part of the team as possible. You want to help contribute in wins and losses and that's what it's all about. (Calgary) gave me an opportunity here when maybe other people maybe said; "You know what? This guy's going to be a career-checker." And now, people look at me differently and that's something I always wanted, but it was a long time coming."
"Our goal was to assemble the ideal team for a seven-game playoff series in which every game is a seventh game," said Pleau. "We examined a number of factors including experience, youth, energy, speed and versatility, while considering an overall team chemistry that allows us to gel as we move through the tournament. We are very pleased with those we have selected to represent the United States, and excited about the challenge of defending the championship in the World Cup of Hockey."
At any given moment Conroy, who scored Calgary's only goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, can burn the opposition with his breakout speed, playmaking skills, defensive abilities or his talents in the faceoff circle, making him one of the game's best all-around players.
"Conroy is one of the best two-way centers in the game," said Jarome Iginla, the Calgary captain who will be representing Canada at the 2004 World Cup. "He's always gives us a chance. He's been up for the Selke Award, I think a few times, and you know, maybe should have won it."
Conroy has been a finalist for the Selke Trophy -- awarded to the best defensive forward in the League -- twice in his career (1998 and 2002). He enjoyed a breakout season with Calgary in the 2001-02 season, potting 27 goals and 48 assists to go along with his plus-24 rating.
This year, Conroy finished second in scoring on the Flames in both the regular season and playoffs, helping lead the team to the postseason for the first time in eight years.
"You want to bring a team back to the playoffs and give them a chance to experience it again," Conroy said before the start of the '04 Finals. "To actually be here and with this team, I mean, we always said we believed in ourselves, that hey if we can get to the playoffs, you know, anybody can win. That's what hockey is all about.
"Before the season started I just wanted to make the Playoffs and you know, then we would see what happens. But this is like a dream come true. I mean, I wanted to do it in St. Louis and wasn't able to do it there, and now to get an opportunity, you know, a shot at doing something you dream about since you are five years old, you know, it's almost unreal."
Before getting drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1990 in the sixth round (123rd overall), Conroy made a name for himself in college. He tallied 63 goals and 104 assists through 140 career games with Clarkson University from 1990-94, finishing as the runner-up for the 1994 Hobey Baker Award in his final collegiate season while also earning All-America status.
He helped lead the team to two ECAC Tournament Championships (1991, 1993), three NCAA Tournament showings (1991, 1992, and 1993), a Frozen Four berth in '91 and an ECAC regular-season title during his four-year career with the Golden Knights.
Through the years, Conroy has been able to make his classmates and teammates proud, now he will have a chance to add his country to that list.
