Watch above: The latest inductees into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame are being honoured in Humboldt this month, including NHL legend Wendel Clark.
SASKATOON – Hockey is an integral part of the Saskatchewan culture, woven into every community. Even in the dead of winter, players young and old participate in the activity they love so much, while at the same time socializing and bonding.
Some of those involved in hockey in the province will be honoured on July 17 when they are inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame (SHHOF).
The induction dinners honour the great players, builders, teams, officials and volunteers who have contributed to hockey in Saskatchewan.
This year, NHL legend Wendel Clark is being inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame. The Kelvington product started his impressive career with the Saskatoon Blades. During his junior career he was on Team Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 1985 World Junior Championships. That same year he was drafted first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Clark played the majority of his NHL career with the Maple Leafs. While in the league, he played 793 games, collected 234 points and recorded 1,690 penalty minutes.
Watch below: Wendel Clark talks about his induction and growing up playing hockey in Saskatchewan.
Guyle Fielder, from Nipawin, got his start with the Prince Albert Mintos in 1948. Although he didn’t play very many games in the NHL, his WHL career was where he really shined. He was the first professional hockey player, at any level, to surpass 2,000 total career scoring points. Fellow inductee Gordie Howe achieved this milestone three years later in 1975.
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The SHHOF also celebrates those who nurture future talent and form strategies behind the bench.
Dave King is being inducted as a builder. The teacher made the switch from the classroom to the rink in Saskatoon. He began his coaching career with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and helped lead the team to their only national title in 1983. Since then, he’s served as the head coach of Team Canada’s national junior team, the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. Recently, he finished this past season coaching the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
“It’s a terrific honour, I feel really privileged to be with the group, I seen the list of people that have been inducted in the past and goodness there’s some really good people and this year’s inductions are some great people,” said Dave King.
“We have so many historic hockey players from Saskatchewan. To name one, Gordie Howe. I mean, if you look at the list of people that have played at the top levels from Saskatchewan, whether it be players or coaches, it’s an amazing sport in our province, we have a rich, rich tradition of developing good hockey players and hockey teams.”
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Saskatoon’s Victor Lynn’s memory will live on in the SHHOF. This inductee was a member of all of the NHL’s “Original Six” teams. During his 20-year career, he played 327 games and registered 125 points. Lynn spent the majority of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, during which time they won three consecutive Stanley Cups.
Inductee Jack McLeod, of Regina, started as a player but is being inducted this year as a builder. After his playing career in the NHL and WHL ended, McLeod focused on coaching. In 1965, he became the general manager and coach of Canada’s national team. In 1968, the Canadian Olympic team won bronze. In the early 70’s, he was named head coach of the Saskatoon Blades where he worked for about a decade before retiring.
It’s not only players, coaches and builders being recognized.
Kevin Muench, of Humboldt, is being inducted this year as an official. He has been a referee with the SHA since 1976. Since then, he’s officiated at the Winter Olympics, Memorial Cups championships and Royal Bank Cup finals. Muench’s dedication to the game was also highlighted in 2011 with the Hockey Canada Officiating Award.
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The event on July 17 in Humboldt, Sask. will allow the province’s hockey community to recognize those who have contributed to the sport at the grassroots level.
Elgar Petersen is one of those inductees. He has been a major contributor to all levels of hockey in Humboldt since the late 1960’s. The city even chose to name its arena after him.
“He really epitomized what the Humboldt Broncos stand for. He had a lot of heart and character … He just successfully year after year went about and did his job and created bonds between players and coaches,” said Dean Brockman, former head coach of the Broncos.
Another inductee to make his mark in Humboldt is Gerry “Doc” Rooney. SHHOF says Rooney took the lead in establishing the Humboldt Broncos association in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). Rooney helped coach the team to league championships and managed the team until 1975.
It’s a tough crowd this year with inductees like Wendel Clark and Dave “Tiger” Williams. The Weyburn native played around 960 games with five NHL teams over his playing career. Williams was known as an enforcer and holds the records to prove it. He still leads the NHL for most career penalty minutes at 3,966.
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Three teams will be highlighted at the 2015 induction dinner.
The 2002-03 Humboldt Broncos had a very good season in the SJHL. After securing the Anavet Cup, the Broncos advanced to the Royal Bank Cup where they beat the Camrose Kodiaks to claim their first national championship.
It’s one thing to dominate in Canada, another to do so across the globe. The 1933-34 Saskatoon Quakers did so for their induction in the team category. In 1934, the team travelled to Italy to take part in the International World Amateur Championships. The team downed the United States in the final.
Last but not least are the Simpson Flyers. This team is being inducted for their outstanding provincial performances from 1965-72. Over the course of eight years the Flyers were able to collect six SHA provincial championships.
The province’s hall of fame is located in Swift Current at Credit Union iPlex. Some other past SHHOF inductees include Gordie Howe, Bryan Trottier, Bernie Federko and Brad McCrimmon.
In 2012-13, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) celebrated its 100th year with the opening of the hall of fame, which serves as an ongoing celebration of the game in the province.
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