DULUTH, Ga. -- Atlanta Thrashers goalie Norm Maracle didn't report for the opening of training camp and was demoted Wednesday to the minors.

Maracle was assigned to the Thrashers' top minor league affiliate, the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.

General manager Don Waddell said Maracle's agent called Monday to say the goalie planned to retire because he didn't think he could pass the team's conditioning test.

Maracle, who has battled weight problems, changed his mind after talking with Waddell on Tuesday, the day players reported for camp.

Maracle will keep working out on his own, then join the Wolves for the start of their camp in Chicago on Sept. 24.

"We didn't feel he earned the right to come to our camp," Waddell said. "He is still part of our organization and we feel it's best for him to go to Chicago."

Maracle, 26, was picked from the Detroit Red Wings in the 1999 expansion draft but has failed to meet expectations in Atlanta.

He spent most of last season in the minors with Orlando, leading the Solar Bears to the final International Hockey League championship. He had 33 victories, eight shutouts and a 2.02 goals-against average.

In 13 games with the Thrashers, however, Maracle was 2-8-3 with a 3.44 average and an .894 save percentage.