Iginla back on ice for Flames

The Calgary Flames got their best news of the preseason on Thursday when captain Jarome Iginla skated for the first time since back spasms sent him off the ice on the first day of training camp.

The 34-year-old skated for about 20 minutes, without contact.

With the start of the regular season just over a week away -- Calgary plays its first game against Pittsburgh at home on Oct. 8 -- the Flames are still being remain cautious with their all-time scoring leader.

"As athletes, we're excited to get out there and we want to just push, push, push," Iginla told the Flames' website. "Sometimes we need to be held back a little bit. That was kind of the 20-minute limit I got today -- to go and see. Warm it up and just slowly start building that confidence again and that trust."

Iginla hasn't played in any of Calgary's preseason games and hasn't skated since back spasms sent him off the ice less than 30 minutes into the first day of camp on Sept. 18.

He hopes to begin skating with the team soon.

"It's not my call really," he said when asked about returning to practice. "It's all steps. Today was just getting out and getting back into striding and stuff like that. Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel great and each day build up."