The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association today revealed the names of the nominees for the 2009 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy from the five Northwest Division clubs – former Clarkson standout Craig Conroy is the nominee for the Calgary Flames.

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the NHL player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." The award was presented by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association to honor the late Bill Masterton, a player for the Minnesota North Stars who exhibited those qualities. Masterton died on Jan. 15, 1968, as a result of an on-ice injury.

The Masterton Trophy will be awarded at the 2009 NHL Awards broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on June 18, 2009. Airing on CBC in Canada and VERSUS in the United States, the 2009 NHL Awards will bring together the League's best players, celebrities and other NHL VIPs in celebration of the season's brightest stars.

CALGARY: Forward Craig Conroy

At age 37, Craig Conroy is enjoying his best NHL season since 2005-06 and he remains a key role player for the Calgary Flames. Throughout his career, Conroy has maintained a reputation for being a feisty, tenacious and combative center who takes care of business at both ends of the ice. He can be an aggressive penalty killer and is skilled enough to create offensive chances. A top-liner who piled up goals and points in his first stint with the Flames, Conroy has adapted his game as he has grown older in order to remain an important part of the Calgary lineup. He is plus-18 this season, his best such rating since 2001-02. He's also a leader and one of the game’s best ambassadors.