CALGARY, AB -- The Calgary Flames Hockey Club is proud to announce that former Clarmson standout Craig Conroy and Luke Dauray are this year’s recipients of the J.R. McCaig Award.

Sadly, the Flames lost owner J.R. Bud McCaig four years ago following a lengthy battle with cancer. Mr. McCaig was a long time member of the Flames family and a great contributor to the Calgary community. The J.R. McCaig Award honors two Calgary Flames personnel, a player and staff member, who best exemplify Mr. McCaig’s enduring virtues of respect, courtesy and compassion for all individuals he encountered both in his professional and everyday life.

“Bud was a man of great moral character and principle who shared his kindness, integrity and respect with everyone he encountered,” said Flames President & CEO Ken King. “We are proud to recognize both Craig and Luke who we believe share the same qualities that make them ideal recipients for the 2008-2009 season.”

Luke Dauray joined the Calgary Flames as a member of the sales team in 2003. Luke is always helpful, kind and courteous to everyone he comes in contact with (employees or clients). Whether helping two people or 200 with ticket requests he makes every client feel like they are the most important patron. He truly loves his job and it shows in everything he does. He is always even-tempered and displays a great zeal for life; wearing a smile and has a warm hello for everyone he greets. The Flames organization is indeed a better place because of employees like Luke. Luke and his wife Marie reside in Calgary.

Veteran forward Craig Conroy is in his seventh year as a member of the Calgary Flames. Frequently labeled as “one of the nicest guys in hockey,” Craig is not only a former Flames captain and leader, both on and off the ice, but also a humanitarian by nature. He is both a participant and a leader at all Flames events, and in addition has become a spokesman for the charitable branch of the hockey club, the Flames Foundation for Life. He is a well spoken, courteous person who has brought immense passion to the team, the community, and the Foundation with unparalleled eagerness and enthusiasm. His on-ice accomplishments are well known in Calgary, however, Craig’s off-ice commitment to his community, co-workers and fellow man is what makes him so deserving of this honor. Craig and his wife Jessie have three children; Taylor (12), Sophia (10) and Sydney (5).

The recipients of the J.R. McCaig Award receive a limited edition bronze entitled RESPECT that depicts a cowboy showing his appreciation and respect to his horse by loosening the cinch, removing the bridle and allowing the horse to drink from his hat. The bronze was sculpted by Cochrane, AB artist Diane Anderson.