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"The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome Ray, Paul and Larry as Honoured Members," said Jim Gregory. "Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hall of Fame is richly deserved." A native of Montréal, Quebec, Raymond Bourque starred in the QMJHL where he played as a 16-year-old with the Sorel Eperviers and continued with the team when it moved to Verdun the following season. His success in Junior was clearly recognized when the Boston Bruins made him their first round selection (8th overall) in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. Ray made an immediate impact in the NHL, winning the Calder Trophy in 1979-80 and was named to the NHL's First All-Star team — the only time the NHL has awarded this dual honour to either a defenceman or forward. Bourque was named to the NHL's First All-Star team 12 times during his 19-year playing career, and won five Norris Trophies. He capped his playing career in June 2001 when he won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Colorado Avalanche and then retired later that same month. "I was hoping to get the call today, but when it came I was completely speechless," said Bourque. "When I started out playing in the NHL, my goal was simply to establish myself as a player and I never contemplated this type of honour."
Born in 1961 in Weston, Ontario, Paul Coffey was the first selection of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 1978 Midget draft. He played one and a half seasons in the Soo before being traded to the Kitchener Rangers, where he was playing when he was made a first round selection of the Edmonton Oilers (sixth overall) in the 1980 Entry Draft. During seven seasons with the Oilers, Coffey was a key component of three Stanley Cup teams and was a first team All-Star twice and second team All-Star on three occasions. He also won the Norris Trophy in 1985 and 1986. In 1987, he was traded to Pittsburgh and during his almost five seasons with the Penguins, Coffey again earned First and Second All-Star team member honours, and won his fourth Stanley Cup in 1991. From Pittsburgh, Coffey spent a season in Los Angeles before being traded to Detroit in January of 1993. During his three and a half seasons in Detroit, Paul won his third Norris Trophy in 1995. When his 21-year playing career ended in 2001, Coffey retired second only to Ray Bourque in goal, assists and total points for an NHL defenceman. "I had a chance to see Grant get elected to the Hall last year and it's a tremendous honour to join all of my Oilers teammates," said Coffey. "When we beat the Islanders to win our first Stanley Cup and later watched the stars from that team get into the Hall, it's amazing to receive the telephone call that Grant, Wayne, Jari and Slats got."
"This is something that, as a player, is the ultimate compliment," said Murphy. "It is a statement of appreciation and I am extremely thrilled to receive this honour." In the Builder Category, Phoenix Coyotes executive Cliff Fletcher was elected. Fletcher began his NHL career in 1966 as a scout for the Montreal Canadiens. From Montreal, he joined the expansion St. Louis Blues in 1967 where he later was named Assistant General Manager.
From Calgary Fletcher moved to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where his work restoring the franchise led to him being named The Hockey News Executive of the Year in 1993. After Toronto, Cliff served as a consultant to the Tampa Bay Lightning and then moved to Phoenix in 2001, where he first served as General Manager and now currently hold the role of Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. "This is a great honour and an unbelievable experience for me," said Fletcher. "I wasn't certain if my name had been put forward to the Committee, so I was completely taken aback by the phone call from Jim Gregory." The 2004 Induction Celebration will be held on Monday, November 8th, at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Stay tuned for more information regarding the 2004 Induction Weekend/Celebration.
Kelly Masse
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HOCKEY HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2004 FOSTER HEWITT MEMORIAL AWARD AND ELMER FERGUSON MEMORIAL AWARD RECIPIENTSPlay-by-play voice Chuck Kaiton and hockey writer Jim Kelley honoured with awardsTORONTO (May 28, 2004) - Bill Hay, Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, announced today that long time Hartford Whalers and Carolina Hurricanes play-by-play announcer Chuck Kaiton will receive the 2004 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his outstanding work as a NHL broadcaster and that ESPN.com columnist Jim Kelley will receive the 2004 Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for distinguished hockey writing.
"Chuck Kaiton combines so many enviable traits: enthusiasm for the sport and its people; leadership as president of the NHL Broadcasters Association that extends over part of three different decades," said Mike Emrick, vice-president, National Hockey League Broadcasters' Association. "His impassioned voice is memorable to anyone who loves hockey. He is long overdue for this honour." Jim Kelley has been recognized as one of the world's foremost hockey journalists for more than two decades. Kelley began as a beat writer with the Buffalo News and had served as a consultant to numerous hockey and journalism bodies including the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation. Kelley is currently the on-line hockey columnist for ESPN.com.
Kaiton and Kelley will receive the awards at a luncheon presentation on Monday, November 8th. This year's Induction Weekend will take place November 5th - 7th, culminating with TSN's live broadcast of the Induction Celebration beginning at 7:00 P.M. (EST) on Monday, November 8th. The 2004 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees will be announced on June 9th following the annual Selection Committee meeting the same day. The Foster Hewitt Memorial Award is named in honour of the late "Voice of Hockey" in Canada. It was first presented in 1984 by the NHL Broadcasters' Association in recognition of members of the radio and television industry who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and to the game of hockey. Named in honour of the late Montreal newspaper reporter, the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award was first presented in 1984 by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association in recognition of distinguished members of the newspaper profession whose words have brought honour to journalism and to the game of hockey. Elmer Ferguson Elmer Ferguson presided over the sports desk of the Montreal Herald until he died, at the age of 87, in 1972. Ferguson's longevity and encyclopedic knowledge of hockey earned him the respect of his industry, while his insightful and sardonic comments earned him an international following of hockey fans. Foster Hewitt In March 1923, Foster Hewitt aired one of the first hockey radio broadcasts. From that night on he became the eyes and ears of radio listeners and television viewers across Canada. Hewitt described thousands of hockey games, including national, World and Olympic championships in Canada, the United States and Europe. Please contact for more information:
Kelly Masse
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Eric Duhatschek Appointed To Selection CommitteeNHL journalist to provide media insight for Hall of Fame Inductions
"The Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to welcome Eric to our team," said Jim Gregory. "Eric's knowledge and experience gleaned from covering the game of hockey for over 20 years will bring a valuable and unique perspective to the Selection Committee." Duhatschek began covering the Calgary Flames in the late 1970s for the Calgary Herald. In 2001, he left the Herald to join the Globe and Mail where he is currently the primary western hockey correspondent. In addition, Eric is a regular voice on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada and sports radio and television programs across the country.
"I'd like to thank the Hockey Hall of Fame Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to join the Selection Committee," said Duhatschek. "It is both a pleasure and an honour to come aboard at this time, in light of the fact so many of the players that I was covering early in my writing career are now becoming eligible for selection." Duhatschek added, "I take this responsibility very seriously and promise to do my best in upholding the high standards that the Hall has established throughout its existence."
Additional Online Coverage:
Museum Selection Committee As appointed by the Board of Directors on March 30, 2004
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