Classic Snap Shot: Bobby Clarke - Sylin' and Profilin'

Bobby Clarke as you've never seen him before. Believe it or not, that's Boris Mikhailov beside him.

Claude Lemieux Likeable? Hallelujah!

He is one of the dirtiest hockey players in the history of the dirty game. Now he is doing the impossible, portraying himself as soft, warm-hearted, artistic and someone you can't help but like.

Claude Lemieux has surprisingly opened himself up to the world with a marvelous showing in CBC's Battle of the Blades where former hockey players try their hand at figure skating. Not only has Lemieux proven to be an elegant and artistic ice dancer, but now he's warmed all of our hearts by actually singing the song he and Shae-Lynn Bourne danced to, Hallelujah by the great Canadian Leonard Cohen. Kathryn Rose co-composed the song with "Pepe."

How could you not like this:

Top Ten Pavel Datsyuk Plays

I just love watching Pavel Datsyuk play hockey. Here's a top ten video tribute to Pavel:

2009 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductions

Today the Hockey Hall of Fame welcomes arguably the greatest class of inductees of all time. Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch and Luc Robitaille, along with builder Lou Lamoreillo.

The induction ceremony will be broadcast live at 4pm on TSN in Canada and on NHL Network in the United States.

In or Out?

In addition to the players and builders entering the Hockey Hall of Fame tonight, two members of the media are being honored for their contributions to hockey over the years.

John Davidson wins broadcasters' Foster Hewitt Award and Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wins the writers' Elmer Ferguson Award.

There seems to be some debate as to whether that really means they are HHOF inductees or not. Red Fisher explains:

I own a blue blazer adorned with the Hockey Hall of Fame logo. Beneath it are the words: "Honoured Member." I was introduced at the induction ceremony by Gordie Howe in 1985, along with three players and two builders, but roughly 20 years later Hall of Fame chairman Bill Hay had this message for the media people who serve on the players' and builders' selection committee: "You know, you aren't members of the Hall," Hay said. "You are honourees."

Dick Irvin, Jr., who was a member of the committee and still is, promptly asked: "What do I do with my blazer which says 'Honoured Member' on it?"

"Oh, that was a mistake," Hay replied.

Classic Snap Shot: Hockey Hall of Fame

Since it is Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Day, this is a most fitting choice for today's Classic Snap Shot:


That is Cyclone Taylor breaking ground on the original Hockey Hall of Fame building in Toronto. Foster Hewitt stands behind him.

The Hockey Hall of Fame began enshrining members in 1945, but they had no actual home or museum until 1958 in Toronto. Three years later, a new building opened at Exhibition Place, giving the Hall a permanent home.

The Hall of Fame moved to it's current location at the old Bank of Montreal building in downtown Toronto in 1993.

Hull of Fame

He scored 741 career goals (third all-time), 110 game winners (second), and 103 postseason goals (sixth). He won two Stanley Cups, plus an Olympic silver medal, a World Cup, a Hart Trophy and a Lester B. Pearson Award.

He is Brett Hull. He is no longer just the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull. He is now a Hall of Famer, too.

Bobby Hull was the dominant player of the 1960s, and one of the top ten players of all time, some will say top five. For all his accomplishments, you get the feeling he has never felt this much pride.

"To have your kid come along and play the game the way Brett Hull played it and accomplish what he accomplished, playing the game the proper way and becoming the third-highest scorer in the history of the game, it is elating to me to be able to join him this weekend to go in the Hall of Fame, to be the only father and son, of any sport I think, in the Hall of Fame."

(We have to note here that Lester Patrick and son Lynn Patrick are also HHOF inductees. There are other fathers and sons in the HHOF, but not strictly as players, but rather as coaches, builders or broadcasters.)

Both father and son succeeded because of incredible understanding of the game and a brilliant and blistering shot. But Bobby was not always involved in Brett's life as a youngster. Bobby and wife Joanna McKay got divorced. Joanna and the kids moved to Vancouver, while Bobby's profession kept him far away most of the time, in Winnipeg and briefly Hartford.

Brett thought the world of his dad, and loved playing hockey, but playing in the NHL never even entered his mind as a kid.

"It wasn't until I got my first letter from a U.S. college, which I believe was from Michigan State, and I went and talked to my coach Rick Kozuback and we had a discussion, and from there I realized maybe I can take this somewhere else," Hull said Thursday on the NHL conference call.

While both were Hall of Fame goal scorers, they were very different people.

When Brett's brother Bart Hull asked if Brett idolized his father, Bart said: "Brett Hull never looked up to anybody. He marched to his own drummer."

That "drummer" got him maligned from time to time, but Brett credits his outlook on life for his success.

"But I think the reason I had success is that I never lost that attitude while I was playing that I was just playing with my friends or buddies, and to go out and enjoy it and have a good time. Sometimes the coaches got a little upset with me because of that. But I think the success I had was because of that."

While everyone is congratulating father Bobby this weekend, Brett is quick to credit his mother for her role in his success.

"I think the genetic makeup I have, easygoing, don't let a lot of things bother me, never really have any problem with pressure -- I think that all came from my mother.

"She's an unbelievably intelligent woman. I think as much as my hockey sense was genetically gifted from my father, being able to decipher or disseminate the information I was getting was definitely from her. She was always very, very supportive. When you have structure like that, it sure makes everything easy."

Classic Snap Shot: One Hull Of A Family

Okay, this image is not exactly a classic. In fact, I have never seen it before I accidentally found it on eBay.

That's Bobby Hull and Dennis Hull. The little kid in the picture is a very young Brett Hull.

Hockey Hall of Fame Fathers and Sons

Much is being made this weekend about Brett Hull joining his father Bobby Hull in the Hockey Hall of Fame. But it must be noted that the Hulls are NOT the first father-son Hall of Fame players.

That honor belongs to Lester Patrick (inducted in 1947) and his son Lynn Patrick (inducted in 1980). To take that even further, Lynn, pictured to the right in 1940s Granger Tobacco advertising display, also had a son, Craig Patrick, inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001 as a builder.

While the Patricks and now Hulls are the only father-son combination in the HHOF player category, there are a few other examples of fathers and sons in the Hall.

Foster Hewitt and his father William A. Hewitt were both inducted as builders. Foster's son Bill was also inducted as a broadcaster.

James Norris, Sr., who owned the Red Wings, and his two sons, James D. Norris a part-owner of the Blackhawks, and Bruce Norris, who also owned the Wings, are all in the builders category.

Dick Irvin Sr. is in the Hall as a player and his son Dick Jr. is in as a broadcaster.

Arthur Wirtz and his son Bill Wirtz, the Blackhawks owners, are both in as builders.

Same goes for George Brown and Walter Brown, who were deeply involved in Boston’s hockey scene, and Charles Adams and Weston Adams, who owned the Bruins.

All Eyes On Yzerman

There are lot of great memories of Steve Yzerman in his Hall of Fame career.

I will always remember the offensive one-man wizardry early in his career, and the transformation into the grizzled Stanley Cup champion later on in his career.

But for me, the 2002 season was the most amazing season in Yzerman's career. He was horribly hobbled by a bad knee that at season's end would have to go under major reconstruction, with no guarantee of success. Yet he put off that surgery to chase Olympic gold and Stanley Cup silver.

His NHL regular season was not great by his standards. He only played in 52 games, and scored just 13 goals. But at the Olympics and in Stanley Cup playoffs, when the games counted most, Yzerman came through brilliantly. Despite playing almost literally on just one leg and in obvious pain, he willed his teams to victory.

You could simply not watch Yzerman that year and not cheer him on. It was one of the most amazing displays of hockey in the history of the game.

It is that passion for hockey that earned him his spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame. It is that passion driving Yzerman to excel off the ice, too.

While everyone in Canada will be celebrating Yzerman this weekend, attention will quickly turn to focus on Yzerman's new role as Canada's general manager for the 2010 Olympic games. Enjoy this weekend Steve, as you will be in the Olympic hot seat again on Tuesday, with it getting hotter by the day.

Greatest Team Ever?

Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille and Steve Yzerman share at least two things in common. They won the Stanley Cup together with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002, and they are being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame together in 2009.

This tremendous trio join already inducted Igor Larionov and coach Scotty Bowman. It is only a matter of time before teammates Chris Chelios, Dominik Hasek, Nicklas Lidstrom, Sergei Fedorov and probably Brendan Shanahan join them. Pavel Datsyuk, just a youngster on that team, continues to build a career that has him on course for the Hall, too.

That Detroit team could very well have 10 players, or half of the team, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame!

Does this make them the greatest team of all time? I'm not going to go that far, but they certainly had one of the most talented teams ever. But how do they compare in terms of Hall of Fame count?

The 1956 Montreal Canadiens also had 10 Hall of Famers - Rocket Richard, Henri Richard, Jean Beliveau, Bert Olmstead, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Dickie Moore, Doug Harvey, Tom Johnson, Butch Bouchard, and Jacques Plante.

All but Bouchard returned in 1957 and 1958 (9 Hall of Famers). All but Olmstead and Bouchard were present in 1959 and 1960 (8 Hall of Famers).

The famed 1967 Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup team also had 10 Hall of Famers - Dave Keon, Frank Mahovlich, Bob Pulford, Red Kelly, George Armstrong, Tim Horton, Allan Stanley, Marcel Pronovost, and goalies Terry Sawchuk and Johnny Bower.

Going way back, the 1939 Boston Bruins had 10 Hall of Famers - Milt Schmidt, Woody Dumart, Bobby Bauer, Bill Cowley, Roy Conacher, Eddie Shore, Dit Clapper, Cooney Weiland, Tiny Thompson and Frank Brimsek.

The 1977 Montreal Canadiens featured 9 Hall of Famers - Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, Jacques Lemaire, Steve Shutt, Bob Gainey, Yvan Cournoyer, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe.

The 1987 Edmonton Oilers had just six Hall of Famers - Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, Glenn Anderson and Grant Fuhr.

The 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins currently can claim 6 Hall of Famers - Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Paul Coffey, Bryan Trottier, Joe Mullen and Larry Murphy. Jaromir Jagr will one day join them, as might Mark Recchi and Tom Barrasso.

Luck Had Nothing To Do With It

As Luc Robitaille is rightfully welcomed to the Hockey Hall of Fame this weekend, there will be lots of stories about goal scoring, his affable nature and his nickname - Lucky Luc.

But Robitaille is not getting enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame because he was lucky. It is because he worked hard, and never gave up on his dreams.

How else can you explain how a 171st overall draft pick who could not skate very well became a Stanley Cup champion, World Championships gold medal hero and the highest scoring left winger in NHL history?

"There’s no secret to it, I just worked really hard," he offers.

A positive attitude and a rare goal scorer's instinct certainly helps, but Robitaille rarely gets credit for his unmatched work ethic.

Robitaille has not stopped working in retirement. He is not spending his days golfing or fishing. He's not even in a "normal" hockey job for former players - coaching or scouting. He oversees all day-to-day business operations for the Los Angeles Kings, including ticket sales and service, global partnerships, marketing and promotions, fan development and community relations, group sales, finance, broadcasting, communications, the Kings' Web site and human resources.

"If it's something you have a passion for, you don't really count the hours, but certainly my day starts early and I'll finish late on some nights," he says.

He used to say the same thing about playing the game.

Leetch "Understated"

On Monday Brian Leetch will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. This despite an "understated" career, according to John Davidson.

"He was an understated player because of his personality; very thoughtful and if you ever sat down and talked to him about anything you'd find his intelligence level to be very high. But, his play during a game, when they needed something, he could make the difference. Both ends of the ice, too. He was as good defensively as he was offensively. From the defensive position, he could control games and play all night."

He could be an explosive offensive player, but he was always calm, cool and collected.

He was among the best ever. Not only did he win the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994, he, not Mark Messier, was also named as the Conn Smythe trophy winner as the playoff MVP. He added two Norris trophies in his career as the NHL's best blue liner. He ranks as the 7th highest scoring defenseman of all time, with 1,028 points in 1,205 regular season games and 97 points in 95 playoff games. He is also the last defenseman to score 100 points in a season.

Leetch's accomplishments saw his jersey #2 retired to the rafters of Madison Square Gardens and has already seen him enshrined in the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Boston College grad also had a heck of a career on the international stage. He was a member of the 1988, 1998 and 2002 U.S. Olympic hockey teams. He earned a silver medal in 2002 and was named as the top US player. He was also represented the United States in three World Junior championships, 2 World Championships and three Canada Cup/World Cup championships, of course winning the World Cup in 1996. It is safe to say that Leetch and fellow 2009 HHOF inductee Brett Hull led USA Hockey's golden era.

But for all those points and for his long, great career, the highlight was undoubtedly the 1994 Stanley Cup.

"My biggest memory was watching the city celebrate and embrace the team for three days. We knew it was 54 years and to see how much it meant to so many people who followed the organization through parents and grandparents. Anytime, I go back its inevitable that someone says thanks for 1994. It was a great run and it meant a lot to a lot of people."

Hockey Hall of Fame: The Class of 2010?

The Hockey Hall of Fame is readying to welcome five new legends to it's hallowed halls this weekend - Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, Luc Robitaille and Steve Yzerman and builder Lou Lamoreillo.

While the hockey world is about to celebrate these five greats, the debate has already begun as to who should be included in the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2010.

For the first time in a while there may be no obvious choice amongst the first year candidates. Perhaps this will allow for some of the huge backlog of players who have been waiting for inclusion in the past few years? It certainly will make for fascinating debate.

First, let's take a look at the players who will be gaining their first year of eligibility. Players must be retired from professional hockey (including outside of the NHL) for three seasons before they can be considered for enshrinement.

Eric Lindros - Debate over Lindros' inclusion will be highly controversial, much like several other incidents in his career.

He was hailed as The Next One, but injuries prevented him from ever fulfilling his destiny. Right from the start of his NHL career, when he refused to play for the Quebec Nordiques, a lot of fans despised Lindros. His strong-headed ways (concussions notwithstanding) did not win him a lot of friends in the media or even parts of the hockey community either.

But when he was healthy he was a dominant force, with interval statistics that challenged the best in history. He was one of the best if not the best player in hockey, although it is hard to find people with objective enough minds to agree.

Lindros belongs in the Hall of Fame. Even Bobby Clarke, his biggest enemy, said so. But I suspect the Hall will make him wait.

John Leclair - Lindros' running mate put up some great numbers in the 1990s. With Lindros missing a lot of time with injuries, Leclair proved he was more than just a side kick. Leclair won't get in this year. I would not object to him being include at some stage down the road, but for now he will have to wait in line with a long list of deserving backlogged candidates.

Joe Nieuwendyk - Nieuwendyk was a big game player who is very highly respected by everyone. That may help him get in one day, but again I think 2010 is the year we see passed over candidates get their chance.

Peter Bondra - He will not get a lot of support, but I actually think Peter Bondra should be in the Hall, though not this year necessarily. He was a consistent goal scoring threat during the dead puck era. But he was too introverted for his own good, and playing in Washington in the pre-Ovechkin days did not help with exposure. Still, I think he deserves more debate than he likely will ever get.

Pierre Turgeon - He was a great talent who never really met expectations. I see little chance of Turgeon ever getting into the HHOF.

Sean Burke - I really liked Sean Burke, but bottom line is he did not win anything significant in his career.

Every player who retired three years ago is technically eligible. The selection committee must receive a formal nomination in order to consider them. So just because guys like Scott Mellanby, Mike Ricci, and Matthew Barnaby, all fine hockey players, are eligible, the Hall will almost certainly not spend any time considering them or other such players.

We also have to bring up the name Theo Fleury. Despite his suspension for substance abuse having never been lifted, 2009 was the actually Fleury's first year of eligibility. Given his demons, there was no way he was getting in then. But now he's explained his demons with unbelieavable courage and humility, he's back on HHOF radar. I believe he will get in, but is 2010 the year?

Here is a look at hold overs with a good shot at making the grade in 2010:

Doug Gilmour - I think Doug Gilmour's wait will come to an end in 2010. He was a big game warrior and was the focal point in hockey's biggest market, Toronto. An off ice incident or two has held him back so far, but of all the players mentioned for consideration today in this article, I would have to think he was the best.

Adam Oates - If Gilmour isn't the top player, Adam Oates is. He was the best play maker of his era not named Wayne Gretzky. Playmakers often play second fiddle to their scoring partners, and Oates certainly did that with the likes of Brett Hull and Cam Neely. But Oates was just a wonderful, heady hockey player, one of the best in the business. He'll get in one day, it's just a matter of when.

Sergei Makarov - I've said it before and said it again, the best eligible player not in the HHOF is Soviet superstar Sergei Makarov. Most people remember Makarov as a Calgary Flame or San Jose Shark late in his career. But without even considering his NHL career I would include him in the Hall. For much of the 1980s Sergei Makarov was arguably the best winger in the world, probably on par with Jari Kurri or Mike Bossy. It is truly impossible to compare as Makarov was stuck behind the Iron Curtain for all those years. But his performances at the Canada Cups, the Olympics and world championships were consistently dominant for most of the decade.

He won't get it in. But he should.

Guy Carbonneau - Aside from Bob Gainey, Guy Carbonneau is universally hailed as the best defensive forward in the modern game. On TSN on Wednesday night Bobby Clarke had Carbonneau at the very top of his voting list, while Bob McKenzie and Keith Jones also had him on their unofficial ballot.

Pavel Bure - He was the most exciting player of his generation, but a controversial exit in Vancouver and a shortened career with no Stanley Cup ring does not help. I still think he belongs in the Hall. He was such an entertaining player in an era deprived of such magician. Is this the year the Hall overlooks his short comings?

Dino Ciccarelli - Over 600 goals and he's still waiting for inclusion. The career goal totals are staggering, and normally would make him a lock. But I agree with the stance that he has had to wait this long, and may wait forever. Amazing total yes, earned through amazing consistency over a long period of time. But he was never the best player or the best right winger. I have to same argument for 700 goal scorer Mike Gartner, who is already included in the Hall, of course.

Dave Andreychuk - see Dino Ciccarelli. Almost an exact carbon copy case.

Alexander Mogilny - Mogilny is an interesting case, similar to Pavel Bure. But with Mogilny there was more inconsistency, more frustration. If we took out his monstrous 76 goal season, he probably would not get a lot of consideration. To me that means he was not among the truly elite for a long enough period of time.

Phil Housley - The fourth highest scoring defenseman and at one time the highest scoring American player ever, Housley never won a championship or a Norris trophy. Only once did he make the NHL's post-season all star team. Does he get in for being a really high scoring American player? That shouldn't be enough.

If I had to hazard a guess as to who the Hall of Fame will call in 2010, I would probably go with Gilmour, Oates and Bure. I suspect they will make Mr. Lindros wait, although I disagree with that.

If I had voting power, I would probably go a little differently. I believe there are at least 7 Hall of Famers in the players mentioned above. If I had a say I would probably vote for Lindros, Bure, Oates and Makarov. I know my Makarov vote would be wasted amongst this selection committee. In the interest of clearing the logjam I could be persuaded to move Nieuwendyk up to the 4th position.

Who do you think should make the grade? You tell me. I have a poll running on the right side column. You can leave comments or email me at teamcanada72@gmail.com.

Habs vs. Bruins Tonight

Tonight is the first match of the season in the classic rivalry - Montreal vs. Boston! Tune into TSN or RDS (French) in Canada and NESN in the US.

Classic Snap Shot: Bobby Orr

Even with all those terrible knee injuries, Bobby Orr only knew how to play the game one way - full out:

God bless you, Bobby Orr!

100 Days To Go

This is the 10,500 seat Denman Arena. In 1911 Frank and Lester Patrick built the rink in downtown Vancouver, gambling the family fortune on bringing hockey to Canada's west coast. It, along with another rink the Patricks were building at the same time in nearby Victoria, was the first artificial ice rink in Canada.

Some scoffed at the notion of the winter game in the British Columbia lower mainland, always the balmiest climate. Despite the lack of snow and ice, the game thrived in BC, to no surprise to the Patricks.

BC owes a great debt of gratitude to the Patrick's for building up hockey in BC. But even the Patricks could never have envisioned a hockey tournament as the 2010 Olympics would one day come to Vancouver.

We have only 100 more days until the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics!

Is Canada the favorite to win gold? Are the Russians going to spoil the party? Who will be the surprise team or surprise players of the 2010 Games?

Grow Your Moustaches For Movember

If you watch the Edmonton Oilers closely in November, you will note the struggling facial hair growing under the nose of several of their young stars.

Sam Gagner, Zack Stortini, J. F. Jacques and Patrick O'Sullivan are among members participating in Movember. Movember is a world-wide moustache growing competition to raise awareness and money to fight prostate cancer. You can donate money on behalf of your favorite Oiler player at their website.

It's a great cause. In order to inspire these young Oilers players, here's a look back at one of my most popular posts ever at this website: Top Ten Hockey Moustaches!

Touring The Hockey Hall of Fame

Surfing with Bobby Hull

Check out this ad for Jantzen sharkskin swimwear from 1966. That's Bobby Hull with Jerry West and Frank Gifford. Who knew The Golden Jet could surf?

Careful Bobby, surfing nearly cost this former Pittsburgh Penguin his career.