Hockey Hall of Fame 2015: 10 memorable moments from induction ceremony
TORONTO – The Hockey Hall of Fame welcomed its Class of 2015 on a night that featured some touching speeches, a few chuckles and a lot of love for Steve Yzerman.
Here are 10 memorable moments from the induction speeches, as the Hall of Fame welcomed Detroit Red Wings greats Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Fedorov; defensive giant Chris Pronger; U.S. Olympic great Angela Ruggiero; U.S. defensive great Phil Housley; former Hockey Hall of Fame chairman Bill Hay; and Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos.
1. Sergei Fedorov on the Red Wings, coaches
Fedorov thanked both his first coach and his most famous coach with the Detroit Red Wings.
He cited his first coach, Bryan Murray, and said his prayers are with him as he battles colon cancer. He then mentioned Scotty Bowman, with whom he won three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings – and with whom he frequently clashed about his ice time and role during that run.
“He’s not only the greatest hockey coach, but he’s a great human being. He showed me a lot, he taught me a lot. On and off the ice,” said Fedorov.
He also had kind words for his Red Wings teammates. “To my captain Steve Yzerman and to my teammates: ‘Guys, I would not be standing here tonight without you,” he said.
He also thanked Wayne Gretzky for “letting me stay at your house.”
2. Sergei Fedorov’s Mom
She had a beaming smile and held up her iPhone to record the Detroit Red Wings legend’s entire speech. A reminder that even the greatest of all-time all have Hockey Parents.
3. Angela Ruggiero’s Shout-Out
At a time when, yet again, the debate rages over how the National Hockey League would treat an openly gay player, Ruggiero’s subtle shout-out to her partner Sarah Cahill during her speech was touching. “To my partner Sarah … just love and support through the years, and has really kept me grounded,” she said.
4. Phil Housley’s Helmet
One of the most recognizable things about Hall of Famer Phil Housley was, of course, his oversized helmet that made him look like Beaker from The Muppets. Well, Housley decided to have a little fun with that by bringing out his Jofa helmet from his days with the Calgary Flames. “I took a lot of grief over the years for this,” he said, before saying they were both going into the Hall of Fame.
5. Peter Karmanos Gets a Break, Despite Being American
The owner of the Carolina Hurricanes relayed a story about when he was awarded an Ontario Hockey League franchise in 1989, and how the Board of Governors was apprehensive about allowing American ownership of one of its franchises. Karmanos said he had to convince them that “Americans wouldn’t hurt the league.”
Karmanos thanks commissioner David Branch for having his back. “I also didn’t mind having the franchise value increase 10-fold,” said Karmanos, who sold the Plymouth Whalers in 2015.
6. Brian Burke’s Style
#Flawless
7. Bill Hay Stole The Night
Bill Hay is the 80-year-old former chairman and CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He also charmed everyone in the crowd with a speech that was touching and witty, and not just because he read off his own Hall of Fame plaque at one point.
Hay said his wife Nancy is the head of the family. Hay told a story about the time he, Donald and Nancy went to Arizona for a vacation. On the way home, they stopped for gas and Nancy got out of the van to freshen up.
After the van was gassed up, Don Hay got back in and with Donald sitting up front with him, away they went. About a half hour later Donald turned to his dad and said, “Bill, I think we forgot mom.”
Sure enough, they did.
Bill Hay used to be the one to call Hockey Hall of Famers to let them know they had earned immortality. On the night he got the call, Hay’s speech was outstanding.
8. There Was Lasagna In The Media Room
Look, not to get all Garfield the cat here, but this was my first Hockey Hall of Fame induction as a reporter, and I was expecting stale coffee and terrible popcorn as usual, but there was lasagna. Two kinds of lasagna.Your move, Cooperstown …
9. Sean Pronger Love
Sean Pronger is a bit of a cult hero in the NHL, having played for 16 teams in 11 seasons. He authored a book called “Journeyman,” after all.
He’s the older brother of Chris Pronger, and the 2015 inductee gave his big bro a shout-out in his speech.
“I know it wasn’t always easy to be my older brother,” said Chris Pronger, as our minds raced thinking about all the trouble he might have inadvertently gotten Sean Pronger into.
“I want you to know that I’m up here, not just for me but for us,” he said.
10. Lidstrom first asked to wear No. 9
No one will wear No. 5 with the Detroit Red Wings again, after it was raised to the rafters with Nicklas Lidstrom’s name on it in March 2014.
But when he arrived in Detroit from Sweden, Lidstrom said he had designs on another number: No. 9.
You know … Gordie Howe’s number.
He was politely told by an equipment manager that it was unavailable.
“The great thing about hockey is that if you make a mistake, there’s always someone to point it out for you,” he said.
He didn’t make many of them.
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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
