Reports about the Calgary Flames management last week has manifested this morning. In a news conference out of the Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary Sports and Entertainment have announced that Craig Conroy will officially be the 10th general manager (GM) in franchise history, replacing Don Maloney who was most recently the interim GM after Brad Treliving stepped down from the role.
Conroy officially gets the GM nod after years in line
This represents the culmination of a decades long management career for Conroy who was first hired as a special assistant to GM Jay Feaster in 2010, before being promoted to assistant general manager (AGM) in 2014. Conroy has been in management with the Flames for 13 seasons, now embarking on his first NHL stint as GM. However, Conroy has held other management positions for USA Hockey, currently on the management team for the IIHF team currently playing in Latvia.
Of course, Conroy has a storied history with the Flames as a player as well, playing for the team in parts of nine seasons over the span of two separate stints. He was the team’s captain in the 2002–03 season and wore a letter in six of his nine seasons in Calgary.
Conroy has put in his time and has earned this role. Being a GM is a tough task, but Conroy looks to be ready for the challenge. The Flames are rumoured to have considered up to 40 candidates for the position including several individuals with experience in the GM chair around the league.
Dave Nonis joins the Flames
The Flames also announced the hiring of Dave Nonis to the organization. After being “very impressed” with Nonis during the GM interview process, he has been hired as the Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations and AGM. Nonis first started in management in the NHL in 1998–99 with the Vancouver Canucks. He has served in management roles for 23 seasons with the Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He has held the role of GM for the Canucks and Maple Leafs, most recently serving as an AGM with the Ducks since 2019–20.
Nonis brings a wealth of NHL experience, although his time as GM didn’t go as well as he probably would have liked. In a more advisory role in Calgary, he will be able to aid Conroy as he navigates the GM world.
Chris Snow and Brad Pascall receive title changes
In addition to the management changes, Chris Snow and Brad Pascall received changes to their work titles. Snow is now the Vice President Data/Analytics and AGM, while Pascall is the Vice President of Hockey Operations and AGM.
The future of the Flames becomes clearer
After a truly disastrous season on the ice, the Flames have finally made their decisions on how the team will move forward. Next up on the agenda is to hire a new head coach, and reports indicate that the Flames will be focusing on offence with their next bench boss. Lots of names have come up as candidates including current AHL coach Mitch Love, Gerard Gallant, and others.
The Flames are making progress in their second consecutive offseason of major change. With the management group becoming clearer and Conroy at the helm, the only way to go now is to go forward.
