They received the traditional Hall of Fame blazers on Saturday night, slipping them on like a familiar jacket. Four players and one executive, all unanimous a choice with most likely nary a negative vote.
Monday night, Mark Messier, Al MacInnis, Ron Francis, Scott Stevens and long time executive Jim Gregory were enshrined in Toronto’s Historic Hall of Fame.
Each player was a key element to the leagues success in the eighties and early nineties, dominant in their positions, legendary by their leadership. They collectively make up the strongest class of entries to the hall in the fabled buildings history. Joined by Gregory, a man that most everyone in the NHL refers to as the nicest guy in the business, they were feted in the traditional ceremony, which aired live on TSN”s alternate channel. TSN with an NFL commitment on the regular channel has scheduled a rebroadcast for Wednesday night prior to that night’s hockey game.
Monday night’s speeches brought back memories for all of the many players, coaches, managers and owners that played important roles in their climb to success. Family and friends were mentioned frequently in the night’s speechmaking, emotional words sometimes taking their toll on the participants, who struggled to retain their composure in their most public moment in hockey.
The quintet make for a most deserving class of 2007, each a historical force in the modern era of the NHL.
The events surrounding the hall of Fame weekend and Monday nights induction ceremony have resulted in a wide range of reviews of careers and testimonials to greatness.
Some of them we have found and provide below:
Monday night, Mark Messier, Al MacInnis, Ron Francis, Scott Stevens and long time executive Jim Gregory were enshrined in Toronto’s Historic Hall of Fame.
Each player was a key element to the leagues success in the eighties and early nineties, dominant in their positions, legendary by their leadership. They collectively make up the strongest class of entries to the hall in the fabled buildings history. Joined by Gregory, a man that most everyone in the NHL refers to as the nicest guy in the business, they were feted in the traditional ceremony, which aired live on TSN”s alternate channel. TSN with an NFL commitment on the regular channel has scheduled a rebroadcast for Wednesday night prior to that night’s hockey game.
Monday night’s speeches brought back memories for all of the many players, coaches, managers and owners that played important roles in their climb to success. Family and friends were mentioned frequently in the night’s speechmaking, emotional words sometimes taking their toll on the participants, who struggled to retain their composure in their most public moment in hockey.
The quintet make for a most deserving class of 2007, each a historical force in the modern era of the NHL.
The events surrounding the hall of Fame weekend and Monday nights induction ceremony have resulted in a wide range of reviews of careers and testimonials to greatness.
Some of them we have found and provide below:
Globe and Mail--Hall class put on their rings
Toronto Star-- Hall of Fame players not done with NHL
National Post--Newest Hall of Famers grateful for help along the way
National Post--Hall of Fame opens doors for a class all their own
CanWest News--Inductees recollect all who helped
CanWest News--The Hallmark of a leader
Edmonton Journal--This year's crop among finest
Edmonton Journal--Emotional Messier enshrined into Hockey Hall of Fame
Montreal Gazette--Messier will be long remembered as one of hockey's greatest leaders
Vancouver Province--How can Gregory justify inducting himself?
Ottawa Sun--Hall of a Journey
New York Sun--Two Local Legends Receive Hockey Honors
New York Times--Ex-Devil Stevens Considers Next Step After Hall
New York Post--'GREAT' DAY FOR NHL
Associated Press--Hockey Hall Welcomes Messier, 4 Others
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