The Calgary Flames kicked off Training Camp on Sunday at the Pengrowth Saddledome.  51 skaters and six goaltenders took to the ice in three groups in the first day of camp.  The squad will play seven pre-season contests beginning on Tuesday, September 15th that will help solidify the 2009 - 10 edition of the team.  They're also looking to complete their AHL affiliate roster, with their Abbotsford Heat set to start its inaugual season later this month. 

Of note at Flames camp, NHL veteran and 41-year-old Theo Fleury is vying for a second look, along with 32 other players who attended Flames (and AHL affiliate Abbotsford Heat) Prospect Camp last week.  

Notable departures in Mike Cammalleri (to Montreal) and Todd Bertuzzi (to Detroit) leave openings up front for newly acquired forwards Nigel Dawes (off waivers from Phoenix) and Freddie Sjostrom (free agent signing).  Twenty year old centreman Mikael Backlund might be ready to make the jump directly to the big club, after finishing last season with the Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets.

With defensemen Adrian Aucoin traded to Phoenix and Jordan Leopold off to Florida in the Jay Bouwmeester trade, there could be a couple of openings on the back end, though both Adam Pardy and Mark Giordano played last season with the Flames.  In Staffan Kronwall and Anton Stralman (who both have limited NHL experience) the Flames may have picked up a couple of Swedes who might be better suited to Abbotsford club to start the season. 

Here’s a list of the players in camp:

GROUP A

75 Armstrong, John - C

60 Backlund Mikael - C

 4 Bouwmeesteer, Jay - D

62 Chucko, Kris - RW

73 Grantham, Ryley - LW

12 Iginla, Jarome - RW

38 Jaffray, Jason - LW

21 Jokinen, Olli - C

 8 Kronwall, Staffan - D

63 Meyers, Josh - D

41 Murray, Garth - C

48 Nemisz, Greg - RW

23 Nystrom, Eric - RW

50 Palin, Brett - D

33 Prust, Brandon - LW

28 Regehr, Robyn - D

43 Seabrook, Keith - D

34 Kiprusoff, Miikka - G

70 Shantz, David - G

GROUP B

40 Armstrong, Riley - RW

54 Aulie, Keith - D

17 Bourque, Rene - RW

66 Brodie, T.J. - D

49 Cole, Brad - D

15 Dawes, Nigel - LW

14 Fleury, Theoren - C

39 Germyn, Carsen - RW

47 Greentree, Kyle - LW

22 Langkow, Daymond - C

45 Lundmark, Jamie - C

10 McGratton, Brian - RW

61 Negrin, John - D

 7 Pardy, Adam - D

 3 Phaneuf, Dion - D

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