Craig Conroy came to a slightly troubling realization when he reported to Flames training camp, which started with Friday morning's fitness testing.

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Craig Conroy is determined to give some of the younger Flames a run for their money.

Photograph by : Calgary Herald Archive

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"I'm the oldest guy now," chuckled Conroy, who turned 37 earlier this month. "That's weird. I always used to look around and you see different guys in the league - I never thought they were old, but they were older than me. I was one of the younger guys. Now to be the old guy?

"It's fun though because I'm still here. Still going strong and I'm beating some (of the younger players) on the fitness tests, so that's even better."

And Conroy believes there'll be many more training camps to come.

"I enjoy playing and I have fun here every day," he said. "The lockout really opened my eyes up. I was bored. I was ready to play hockey whether it was senior league or wherever. I want to win a Stanley Cup and I want to keep playing. You look at (46-year-old Red Wings defenceman Chris) Chelios and that gives everyone inspiration."

The centreman from Potsdam, N.Y., is pleased with the status of his knee after off-season surgery.

"You know what?" he said. "On the (fitness) tests you get (immediate) scores, I actually improved from last year. That's a good sign and it gives me confidence going into the season that the knee's OK."

Conroy and his colleagues will take the ice for the first time Saturday at the Saddledome. The pre-season begins Tuesday with a home date against the Florida Panthers.