Brooks, Roy Headline Hockey Hall Of Fame's Newest Class
Herb Brooks led the University of Minnesota to three NCAA championships. (AP file photo) |
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June 28, 2006
TORONTO (AP) -"Miracle on Ice" coach Herb Brooks and Patrick Roy, the NHL's winningest goaltender, highlight the newest class of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Former NHL player Dick Duff and executive Harley Hotchkiss also received enough votes from the selection committee, the hall announced Wednesday. All four will be inducted in November.
Brooks led an Olympic team of college players from the United States to the greatest upset in hockey history, the "Miracle on Ice" victory over the mighty Soviet machine in the 1980 semifinals. The Americans went on to win the gold medal, their only one since 1960. Brooks died in a car accident in 2003.
"I just wish my father was still alive to enjoy this moment," son Dan Brooks said. "I know he's looking down and is very proud of this honor. ... He felt the U.S. player could compete at all levels of hockey, especially the NHL."
Brooks led the University of Minnesota to three NCAA titles and also coached the New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins.
"On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Penguins organization, I want to congratulate the Brooks family on this prestigious honor for Herb," Mario Lemieux said. "Herb's passion and dedication to the growth of hockey in the United States was second to none. He was a valued member of the Penguins organization and we are thrilled and proud that he has been bestowed this tremendous honor."
Roy won four Stanley Cup championships and three Vezina Trophies as the NHL's top goalie in 19 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. He retired in 2003 as the league's career leader with 551 regular-season victories.
"It was a great career," the 40-year-old Roy said. "It was fun, every minute of it, and I'm happy to still be involved in hockey today. Hockey is my passion."
Duff played with Toronto, Montreal, Los Angeles, Buffalo and the New York Rangers during an 18-year career that ended in 1972. He won a total of six Stanley Cups with the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens, was a seven-time All-Star and finished his career with 283 goals and 572 points in 1,030 games.
"I was almost in tears," Duff said. "This means a lot to me, just like playing hockey meant a lot to me."
Hotchkiss was part of the group that moved the Flames to Calgary from Atlanta. He's still a part owner of the team, and is the chairman of the NHL's Board of Governors.
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