2009 Hall Of Fame Inductees Emphasize The Game Over Individual Accolades

Based on a total accumulation of hardware, the 2009 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee list was one of the stronger classes in recent years. Between the five inductees who were immortalized last Monday night in Toronto, there is an impressive ten Stanley Cups, three Olympic medals, two Norris Trophies, two Calder Memorial trophies, two Conn Smythe Trophies, and a Hart. Also, it doesn’t hurt to have the last name Yzerman, Hull, Leetch, or Robitaille. Oh, and don’t forget about one of the most successful managers in NHL history in Lou Lamoriello.

But before you read about all of the stats and accolades, it’s important you realize that to Stevie Y, Hully, Leetch, “Lucky” Luc, and Lou, all of their personal success means nothing to each of them in light of the game of hockey itself. In an incredibly humble and eloquent fashion, each of the hall-of-famers expressed their gratitude not only to the scores of people who helped them along in their careers, but to the game itself.

Brett Hull put the whole night in perspective: “It’s the greatest honor ever,” Hull said. “Are you kidding me? It’s hard to put into perspective. It’s hard. I think about the implications. Why did it happen for me? The game almost picked me. I didn’t pick the game.”

As if it needed to be reiterated to hockey enthusiasts around North America, the speeches presented by the five inductees confirmed that no player (from Gretzky all the way down to a fourth-liner in a beer league in a remote part of saskatchewan) is above the game and that hockey truly is the ultimate team sport. Not once during his speech did Yzerman go Michael Jordan by declaring that “There will never be another Steve Yzerman.” Brian Leetch didn’t get up to the podium with a Rickey Henderson-like grin and announce that he was one of the greatest players to ever play the game. On the contrary, all five men, all of whom are still involved with the game in some capacity, simply expressed their childhood dreams of just making it to the NHL and how they owe all of their success to the game that they love.

Steve Yzerman

• 22 NHL seasons  (all with the Red Wings)
• Ranks sixth all-time in career points (1,755)
• Won three Stanley Cups (took home a fourth as an executive with the Wings)
• Won a gold with Canada at the 2002 Olympics

Brett Hull

• Played 19 years with with Calgary, St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix
• Joins his father, Bobby, marking just the second time a father and son have both been enshrined as players
• Ranks third all-time in career goals (741)
• Won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1991

Brian Leetch

• Played in 18 NHL seasons (Rangers, Bruins, Leafs)
• Won two Norris Trophies as the league’s top defenseman (‘92 & ‘97)
• Became the first American-born player to earn the Conn Smythe Trophy when the Rangers took home the Cup in 1994
• Won a silver with the U.S. at the 2002 Olympics

Luc Robitaille

• Played 19 seasons, starting and ending with the L.A. Kings and having stints with the Penguins, Rangers and Wings in between
• Most goals scored by a left winger in NHL history (668)
• Won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 1987
• Won a Stanley Cup in 2002 with Detroit

Lou Lamoriello

• Served as President and GM of the New Jersey Devils since 1987
• Has taken over twice as the team’s coach, in 2005-06 and 2007
• The Devils have won the Stanley Cup three times under his leadership
• Played a key role in the settlement of the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
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Twitter Updates for 2009-07-29
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My Top 10 Steve Yzerman Moments
Echoes of Hope honors Luc Robitaille in Hall of Fame Gala
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